Oskar Schöen's Palace (Sosnowiec)

Oskar Schöen's Palace
Pałac Oskara Schöna
Alternative names	New Schöen's Palace
General information
Architectural style	Eclectical
Address	1-go Maja 19
Town or city	Sosnowiec
Country	Poland
Coordinates	50°16′23″N 19°08′21″E
Completed	1903

Oskar Schöen's Palace called also New Schöen's Palace – one of the two residences of the Schöen family, located on the merger of the districts and, at the time of its creation, the settlement: Ostra-Gorka and Sielec, on the left bank of the Black Przemsza River. The palace is located in the center of Sosnowiec.

Architecture

As the only one amongst Sosnowiec's palaces, it is situated in the city center (1 Maja Street 19). Over the eclectic building of the palace, a distinctive neo-gothic tower in the style of English Gothic. Also, most of the body of the building is neo-Gothic style, but also are visible features in neo-Romanesque, Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau style. The palace in its north-eastern part had a glass conservatory. During the renovation and adaptation of the palace for the needs of the judiciary, the orangery was covered with a roof and converted into office space.

The interior of the palace is characterized by a wealth of decorative elements, typical of the epoch. The central part of the interior of the palace is a hall and a spectacular staircase leading up to the 1st floor. The magnificent 2-storey ballroom with stylish interiors is based on patterns from the mid 18th century. The romance of the interiors of the residences of the Schons were to add hidden winding stairs and secret passages in the walls.

Initially, from the south and east, it was surrounded by a vast park and rocks. After the reconstruction of the center, after World War II, the park remained in remnant form and today it is a forest area, adjacent to the banks of the river.

Written along with the surrounding garden to the provincial register of monuments under the reg. No. 1370/88 of 10 February 1988.

History

Erected in 1900 – 1903 in eclectic style, commissioned by Oskar Schöna. The building was built on a plot, bought in 1885 by the Schön family, from Count Mortimer-Tschischky, on the bank of Black Przemsza River. The original owner was killed during the revolution in 1905. The palace was inhabited by Franz and Emma Schön.

During the First Silesian Uprising, in 1919 the building of the palace was the headquarters of the uprising with headquarters of the defense of the plebiscite, preparing the III Silesian uprising in 1921.

Spinning fires in 1907 and World War I contributed to the deterioration of the financial situation of the family, thus the palace was leased for court. In 1923 the building was adapted for the court, during the German occupation, it housed Deutsches Haus. Since 1945, it has re-established the seat of the court.