At the foot of the Karkonosze Mountains, in the Jelenia Góra Valley, lies a land unlike anywhere else in Poland. Within several dozen square kilometres stand more than thirty palaces, castles and manor houses, surrounded by parks and gardens, with mountain panoramas beyond. It is called Poland’s Loire Valley; once, it was known as the “Silesian Elysium”. This is the Valley of Palaces and Gardens—a place where history is not behind museum glass, but lives in buildings you can still enter.
The best way to discover it is from within, by staying in one of these residences. One of the restored palaces in the Valley is Pakoszów Palace—a Baroque residence ideally located for following the trail of neighbouring estates. Before we look inside, however, let’s travel through this land and see what makes it so special.
The Valley of Palaces and Gardens—what makes this land so special?
The Valley of Palaces and Gardens is a group of residences with parks scattered across the Jelenia Góra Valley, covering around 100 square kilometres at the foot of the Karkonosze Mountains. It emerged from two intertwined histories: the wealth of Silesian linen merchants and the fascination this area held for the Prussian aristocracy.
Its golden age came in the first half of the 19th century. When Prussian King Frederick William III bought estates here in 1832 and established a summer residence, the entire court followed. One residence rose beside another, while the era’s finest architects—from Karl Friedrich Schinkel’s circle—gave them a romantic, neo-Gothic character. Landscape parks were laid out around them, with avenues designed so that Śnieżka was always visible in the background.
Hence the names attached to this land: Poland’s Loire Valley, and the Valley of Kings and Emperors. That it is more than a local curiosity is confirmed by an event in 2012: eleven palace-and-park complexes in the Valley were added to the list of Monuments of History of the President of the Republic of Poland, the highest distinction a historic site can receive in Poland. The Valley of Palaces and Gardens Foundation is now seeking UNESCO World Heritage status.
Palaces of the Jelenia Góra Valley—the most beautiful restored residences
Every palace in the Jelenia Góra Valley has its own history and character. Here are the ones you should not miss.
Wojanów is perhaps the Valley’s best-known residence—a neo-Gothic building with four corner towers, looking like a fairytale castle. In 1839, Frederick William III bought it as a gift for his youngest daughter, Princess Louise. Today it houses a luxury property with a restaurant and SPA area; the interiors are not regularly open to visitors, as they serve guests, but the view of the building and a walk through the park along the Bóbr River make the visit worthwhile.
A few hundred metres farther on, beside the same river, stands Łomnica. It is a model of successful revitalisation: a complex comprising the Baroque Great Palace, which houses an interiors museum, and the Widow’s House. Its revival is owed to the descendants of the former owners, the von Küster family, who restored the estate’s splendour after decades of decline under the communist regime. Today, visitors can enjoy a museum, a restaurant serving regional cuisine and an on-site brewery.
In Karpniki, at the foot of the Sokolik Hills, stands a neo-Gothic castle with a real moat and tower. From 1822, it belonged to Prince Wilhelm, the king’s younger brother—it was he and his wife who brought Wang Temple to Karpacz. Today the castle is an exclusive five-star property; you can even rent the apartment where Queen Marie of Bavaria once stayed.
There are further gems, too. Bukowiec is less a palace than an exemplary Romantic park with ponds, created by Count Friedrich von Reden, Prussia’s mining minister. Mysłakowice, once crown property, is famous for its Tyrolean houses built by settlers granted asylum here by the king. Paulinum is a neo-Renaissance residence on a hill overlooking the entire valley.
Pakoszów Palace—one of the Valley’s palaces and a base for exploring
Among these residences, Pakoszów Palace has a place of its own—and not by chance. This Baroque palace was built in 1725 for a linen merchant, when flax was the wealth of the entire valley. A reminder of that era is the name of the palace restaurant—Stara Bielarnia—arranged in a former linen bleaching house, where fabric was soaked in water and whitened in the surrounding meadows.
The palace has hosted some notable figures: King Frederick the Great visited, and around 1800 John Quincy Adams, later President of the United States, stayed here. After the war, the residence fell into decline until it was restored by the grandson of its last pre-war owner.
For travellers, however, its location matters most. Pakoszów lies at the heart of the Valley, within a short drive of neighbouring residences. It is not an outlying point on the map, but one of this land’s restored palaces—a base from which to follow the trail of others, before returning in the evening to your own residence.
A mountain hotel in a historic palace—what is it like to stay in a residence?
Staying in a historic residence is a different experience from a modern property. Relaxation begins at the threshold—in the quiet of walls that are three hundred years old.
At Pakoszów, this atmosphere is made up of details: a palace library with books in many languages, a retreat for reading, the fireplace in Stara Bielarnia, historic interiors and a Wellness area with a pool and sauna. A private park surrounds the palace, and beyond its gates lies the entire Valley.
That is what distinguishes staying in a residence from an ordinary overnight stay. You live in a historic building that is itself part of the history you came to discover. Sightseeing and relaxation cease to be separate items on the itinerary—they become one.
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How to explore the Valley of Palaces and Gardens—a practical guide
The Valley is extensive, and the palaces often stand away from main roads, so the most convenient way to explore it is by car. Allow at least three days to discover the key sites at a relaxed pace; a week will also let you venture deeper into the Karkonosze and Janowice Ridge Mountains.
Before setting off, it is worth knowing that not every palace can be visited in the same way. The Valley’s residences broadly fall into three groups. Palaces serving as museums, such as Łomnica, open their interiors to visitors. Palace hotels, such as Wojanów and Karpniki Castle, can mainly be viewed from outside and from the park—the interiors serve guests, understandably. Finally, some properties are private or awaiting renovation and can only be viewed from behind the gate.
It is worth checking this distinction before your trip, as access can change. The most convenient way to plan such an excursion is to base yourself in one of the palaces: neighbouring residences are close by, and in the evening you return not to a roadside hotel, but to your own historic home.
A mountain hotel in the heart of the Valley of Palaces and Gardens—why Pakoszów Palace?
If your journey through the Valley needs a base, Pakoszów Palace is made for it. Its central location in the valley puts neighbouring residences—Wojanów, Łomnica and Karpniki—within a short drive. The ruins of Chojnik Castle are visible almost from the window.
But Pakoszów is more than a convenient location. It is a residence with its own Baroque atmosphere: historic interiors, Stara Bielarnia Restaurant serving cuisine based on seasonal regional ingredients, and an intimate Wellness area for the end of an eventful day. You stay in a historic building, visit neighbouring palaces and return to a residence that is itself part of the Valley’s history.
The Valley of Palaces and Gardens can be viewed as a list of guidebook attractions. But you can also stay at its heart and experience it from within. Check our stay offer, choose a convenient date and set out to discover this land of palaces, with one of them as your base.
FAQ—Valley of Palaces and Gardens
What is the Valley of Palaces and Gardens?
It is a group of several dozen residences with parks in the Jelenia Góra Valley, at the foot of the Karkonosze Mountains. These former homes of the Prussian royal family and aristocracy are known as Poland’s Loire Valley. Today, some palaces operate as hotels and museums, while eleven palace-and-park complexes are listed as Monuments of History of the President of the Republic of Poland.
Which palaces in the Jelenia Góra Valley are worth seeing?
The best known include Wojanów, the neo-Gothic residence of Princess Louise; Łomnica, a Baroque palace with an interiors museum; Karpniki Castle, the former home of Prince Wilhelm; as well as Bukowiec, Mysłakowice, Paulinum and Pakoszów. Some can be visited inside, while others operate as accommodation. Check current visitor access before travelling.
How should you explore the Valley of Palaces and Gardens?
By car is most convenient, as the palaces can be far from main roads. Some open their interiors to visitors (museums), some can mainly be viewed from outside and from their parks (accommodation properties), while others remain private. Allow at least three days for a relaxed visit, ideally based at one of the palaces.
Can you stay overnight in a palace in the Valley of Palaces and Gardens?
Yes. Some restored residences operate as accommodation, including Pakoszów Palace, a Baroque residence in the heart of the Valley. Staying overnight in a historic residence is part of experiencing this land, not merely a convenient base.
Why is Pakoszów Palace a good base for exploring the Valley?
Because of its central location in the Jelenia Góra Valley, within a short drive of neighbouring residences. It also offers a palace atmosphere: historic interiors, Stara Bielarnia Restaurant, a library and an intimate Wellness area. You stay in a historic building that is itself part of the heritage you have come to explore.