Ciernie Palace

Ciernie Palace stands in the Świebodzice district of the same name, right by the bridge over the Pełcznica. It is the ruin of an unfinished residence, begun in the mid-18th century and never completed - today mainly its perimeter walls remain.

Construction halted by two deaths

In 1755 Heinrich Ludwig Karl von Hochberg signed a contract with master mason Wacław Matheus of Świdnica for the construction of a building for his wife, Luise Henriette Karoline von Hochberg, who wanted to set up a home for widows in it. The foundation stone was laid that same year, but in July 1755 the founder died and work slowed. Construction was continued by her father, Johann Heinrich IV von Hochberg, until his own death in 1758 - work then stopped for good and was never resumed.

What remains of the building

A rectangular, two-storey building of stone and brick was planned in the late baroque style, with 60 window openings and central windows topped with a segmental arch. The unfinished structure never received a roof or finished interiors. Today the internal layout of the rooms is largely illegible, and the walls are overgrown with vegetation - the condition now allows only for securing it as a so-called permanent ruin. The building does not appear in the heritage register of Lower Silesian Voivodeship, but it is included in the municipal register of heritage sites of Świebodzice.

A ruin from behind the fence

The palace grounds belong to a private owner, so entering the property is out of the question - the ruin can only be viewed from the public road, from behind the fence. In summer the view is largely obscured by vegetation, so it is best to visit in late autumn, winter or early spring, when the walls are more clearly visible.

A trace of Goethe

Ciernie is also linked to another story: in 1790 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stopped nearby, and his stay is now commemorated by a plaque at Ciernie 132a.

Practical information

• Address: Ciernie street, the Ciernie district of Świebodzice, close to the bridge over the Pełcznica and St Francis of Assisi's Church.
• Access: most convenient by car or bicycle from Świebodzice; the ruin stands on private land, so it is viewed only from the road.
• What to expect: a view of the perimeter walls from behind the fence, with no possibility of entering; within a few kilometres lie Książ Castle and the Palm House.