The adaptation of historic castles and palaces of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship into contemporary hotels

Agnieszka Adamska-Idzikowska

doi:10.37190/arc240406

Summary

The article analyzes the process of adapting historic castles and palaces in Lower Silesia into hotel facilities. The challenges and methods used in converting these historic buildings while preserving their cultural heritage value are discussed. Special attention is paid to the balance between modern hotel function requirements and architectural heritage protection.

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2024

4(80)

Agnieszka Adamska-Idzikowska*

The adaptation of historic castles and palaces

of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship into contemporary hotels

DOI: 10.37190/arc240406

Published in open access. CC BY NC ND license

Abstract

The subject of the paper are castles and palaces, entered in the register of monuments and located in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, that have

been adapted into contemporary hotels. The considerations cover entire residential complexes, including farm and ancillary buildings, as well as

the surrounding parks and gardens. The time criterion was the operation of the hotel during the case studies period, e.g., the years 2019–2022. The

oldest building discussed dates back to the 16

century, while the newest one dates to the early 20

century. The hotels were launched between 1996

and 2014.

Depending on the stage of the work, appropriate research methods were applied. The most important included the analysis of source materials and

interviews with the owners and employees of the studied hotels. Comparative, critical, and synthesis analyses were conducted to draw conclusions.

The research involved visits to each property, enabling the collection of numerous photographs.

Through a multifaceted analysis of previous adaptations in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, conclusions were drawn regarding the positive and

negative aspects of converting castles and palaces into hotels. Based on these ndings, recommendations were formulated that may be useful to re-

searchers, conservators, designers, and potential investors. The most signicant element of this study is its contribution to lling the knowledge gap

on this subject. It is worth emphasizing that such actions not only enable successful business ventures but, most importantly, save castles or palaces,

which are testimonies of the past, from destruction.

It has been proven that the existing adaptations are examples of valuable architectural eorts aimed at the reuse of historical buildings along with

their surroundings. They contribute to the creation of unique, multifunctional enterprises, characterised by a specic atmosphere lled with history

and the genius loci of the place, tailored to the needs of contemporary guests.

Key words: hotel, castle, palace, adaptation of historic buildings, Lower Silesian Voivodeship

Introduction

The landscape of Lower Silesia, particularly its southern

part, is distinguished by picturesque physical features, di-

verse natural environments, and valuable, unique architec-

tural heritage. Many castles and palaces were established

in this region, often surrounded by intriguing urban lay-

outs, characterized by original architectural compositions

and valuable detailing. These qualities are clearly visible in

restored structures. Unfortunately, a signicant portion of

this heritage remains in poor technical condition, is devas-

tated, or entirely ruined.

One of the proven methods to protect architectural

monuments from destruction is their adaptation to con-

temporary functions. For castles and palaces, converting

them into hotels is considered particularly benecial

This is due to several features, including the architecture

of the structures, their scale, surroundings, and location.

At the same time, the growth of tourism as an econom-

ic sector, interest in the so-called historical tourism, and

increasing public awareness of health and well-being cre-

ate favourable conditions for adapting castles and palaces

into hotels.

This solution is particularly recommended due to the combination

of the monument’s public accessibility with economic protability

(Konieczna-Domańska 2015; Leśniewska-Napierała, Napierała 2017;

Rouba, Cudny 2010).

ORCID: 0000-0002-5959-9316. Faculty of Architecture, Wro cław

University of Science and Technology, Poland, e-mail: agnieszka.

adamska-idzikowska@pwr.edu.pl

54 Agnieszka Adamska-Idzikowska

Richard Penner, Lawrence Adams, and Stephani Robson

(2013).

In the eld of the history and current condition of castles

and palaces, signicant contributions were made by Ro-

muald Łuczyński (2010), Adriana Merta-Staszczak (2018),

and Hubert Mordawski (2015). These studies examined

the situation of the German population and the resettle-

ment process, as well as the attitudes of authorities and lo-

cal residents towards post-German estates and the heritage

conservation policy.

Valuable insights into the theory and processes of heri-

tage adaptation were provided by Władysław Borusiewicz

(1971), Lucyna Czyżniewska (2009), Edmund Małacho-

wicz (2007), and Bogumiła Rouba (2009). Additionally, al-

bums and guides proved useful, including numerous works

by Marek Perzyński (2018), Joanna Lamparska (2019),

Marek Gaworski (2020), and Arne Franke (2007).

It has been observed that, in recent years, the adaptation

of historic buildings is most often considered in the con-

text of heritage protection processes and the development

of conservation thought. Numerous collective studies have

been published, with some of the most renowned works

edited by Ewa Łużyniecka (2018) and Bogusław Szmy-

gin (2009). Prior to conducting the research, various issues

were studied, focusing mainly on the need to preserve au-

thenticity, design challenges in adapting buildings to new

functions, risks associated with unskilled interventions, and

descriptions of undertaken projects. The studies by Małgo-

rzata Chorowska and Roland Mruczek (2023), outlining the

cultural landscape and the origins of residential complexes

in Silesia, were considered particularly valuable.

Scientic research on a similar topic – namely, the ad-

tation of Lower Silesian residential complexes for con -

temporary functions – was conducted by Aleksandra Mar-

cinów (2015) and Renata Gubańska (2014). The adaptation

of historic palaces in the Jelenia Góra Valley for hotel pur-

poses was also explored by Katarzyna Janicka (2014).

During the studies, materials from archives and infor-

mation contained in the architectural and construction her-

itage inventory cards were also used. The work was based

on inventories and adaptation projects made available by

hotel owners retrieved from the archives of the Lower Sile-

sian Provincial Conservation Ocer.

Aim of study

The primary goal of this study is to highlight the po-

tential of castles and palaces as structures suitable for ad-

aptation into hotel ventures. Another aim was to illustrate

the completed adaptation processes, including identifying

potential issues or weaknesses associated with such invest-

ments.

One of the research priorities was to document the cur-

rent state and preserve data on contemporary (2022) ac-

commodation facilities established in buildings entered in

the register of historic monuments as castles and palaces.

The research ndings may serve not only as a record of

the adaptation of historic castles and palaces in the Lower

Silesian Voivodeship at the turn of the 20

and 21

centu-

ries but also as a foundation and inspiration for designing

The subject of the research comprises castles and palac-

es entered in the register of historical monuments, located

within the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, and adapted for use

as hotels

. The study encompasses entire residential com-

plexes, including manor, farm and ancillary buildings, as

well as the surrounding parks and gardens. Due

to the ex-

tensive and multifaceted nature of the topic, the geograph-

ical scope was limited to realizations within the Lower

Silesian Voivodeship.

The analysis included all castles and palaces adapted

into hotels within the specied area. The time criterion

was dened as the operational status of the hotels during

the case studies, covering the years 2019–2022. The oldest

building discussed dates back to the 16

century, while the

newest originates from the early 20

century. The projects

in the research sample were launched between 1996 and

2014.

It is worth mentioning that, due to unique climatic and

natural conditions, as well as the region’s historical devel-

opment, many residential complexes were established in

what is now the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. However, the

majority of these have been destroyed after World War II

due to a lack of proper care or inappropriate usage.

State of research

The problem of adapting castles and palaces into hotels

represents a broad and interdisciplinary eld comprising

three extensive and specic components:

– the design and programming of contemporary hotels,

– the process of heritage protection, adaptation, and

conservation,

– the history and current status of castles and palaces.

A review of the literature revealed that publications of-

ten focused on only one of these topics, with the others

receiving limited attention. Rarely were these subjects dis-

cussed together within the same work.

Among prominent domestic researchers and practi-

tioners specializing in the design and programming of con-

temporary hotels, notable contributions include works by

Zenon Błądek (2010), Joanna Jabłońska (2018), and Jorg

Wilczyński (2010). Their publications provided valuable

insights into the requirements and emerging trends in the

hospitality industry, as well as guidelines for designing

specic zones and rooms.

The principles gathered during the research were com-

pared with the ndings from case studies to identify dif-

ferences and similarities between newly constructed hotels

and those established in adapted castles and palaces. This

comparison aimed to highlight the distinctive features of

hotels housed in adapted historical monuments.

In terms of hotel operation and organization theory,

the works of Mariola Milewska and Bogdan Włodarczyk

(2018), Marek Turkowski (2010), and Elżbieta Mitura and

Elżbieta Koniuszewska (2008) were considered particu-

larly useful. References were also made to the studies of

The research was conducted as part of the preparation for the

doctoral dissertation.

The adaptation of historic castles and palaces of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship into contemporary hotels 55

future hotel investments. A list of elements most frequent-

ly preserved and showcased has also been compiled. The

study aims to assist in decision-making regarding the scope

of adaptations, ensuring a balance between preserving au-

thenticity and introducing new functions.

Methods

The process of selecting monuments was conducted in

three stages, using an elimination approach based on pro-

gressively dened criteria. In the rst stage, all sites classi-

ed as castles or palaces in the heritage register were iden-

tied

. Additionally, the buildings had to be located within

the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Estimating the contem-

porary functions of these sites enabled the initial identi-

cation of projects associated with hospitality services. It is

worth mentioning that the Lower Silesian Voivodeship is

home to 570 castles and palaces recognized as historical

monuments, yet as many as 43% of them remain unused.

Subsequently, based on the premises identied in the

previous step as being associated with hospitality services,

all 66 projects were veried in the Central Registry of Ho-

tel Establishments. At this stage, it became possible to de-

termine which complexes ocially qualify as hotels under

the law

. A comprehensive description of the search for

samples meeting the criteria, along with the characteriza-

tion of the research context, was provided in a separate

study (Adamska 2021).

Ultimately, it was established that 16 hotels meeting

the adopted criteria operate in the specied area. From the

perspective of their original function, the criteria were met

by six hotels operating in four castle complexes and nine

The naming of the monuments follows the terminology used in

the heritage register.

A problem was identied with the overly general use of the term

“hotel”, even by researchers. In common usage, any facility where one

stays overnight is referred to as a hotel. It should be emphasized that

a necessary condition for using the term “hotel” is the classication of the

venture by the regional marshal, after meeting the formal requirements.

hotels located in palaces. Hotels established within the Książ

Castle complex were discussed separately due to the entire-

distinct nature of these projects. In the case of Łagów,

both hotels function as an integral part of the complex. The

schematic map illustrates the distribution of the studied ho-

tels across the territory of the voivodeship (Fig. 1).

The research began with an analysis of hotels located in

castles and palaces based on criteria derived from the au-

thor’s typology. Subsequently, the architectural forms of the

buildings and the characteristics of the residential units were

examined. The next two sections focused on the processes

and extent of adaptation of each historic monument. In the

subsequent phase, the study concentrated on the spatial dis-

tribution of functional zones within the hotels. Following

this, the analysis explored specic functional verticals of

the hotels, including recreational, gastronomic, multifunc-

tional, and auxiliary-technical facilities. During the studies,

we also assessed which properties incorporated owner’s

residences and examined the immediate surroundings of

the hotels. Furthermore, the perception of the analysed

establishments by their guests was investigated. This was

based on reviews published on leading online platforms.

The research concluded by identifying the main strengths

of each establishment and presenting an original, subjec-

tive synthesis of selected features of the hotels. During the

research process, two thesis statements were formulated.

First thesis statement: The existing adaptations of cas-

tles and palaces entered in the heritage register and located

within the Lower Silesian Voivodeship into hotels serve as

exemplary architectural endeavours aimed at reusing his-

toric buildings and their surroundings. These adaptations

contribute to the creation of unique, multifunctional enter-

prises tailored to the needs of contemporary guests.

Second thesis statement: It is possible to establish a ty-

pology of modern hotels designed in historic castles and

palaces based on the adaptations found in the Lower Sile-

sian Voivodeship.

Depending on the stage of the study, appropriate research

methods were employed. The most signicant included

the analysis of source materials (both contemporary and

12 14

WAŁBRZYCH

WROCŁAW

KŁODZKO

ZGORZELEC

LUBIN

LEGNICA

1. Uroczysko Siedmiu Stawów Luxury Hotel, 21 Gola Dzierżoniowska, Niemcza 58-217 (4*)

2. Hotel Jedlinka Zespół pałacowo-hotelowy, 2 Zamkowa Street, Jedlina-Zdrój 58-330 (3*)

3. Folwark Książęcy, 15-21D Kliczków, Osiecznica 59-724 (3*)

4. Hotel Pałac Krotoszyce, 3 Parkowa Street, Krotoszyce 59-223 (3*)

5. Hotel Spichlerz, 7 Krzyżowa, Grodziszcze 58-112 (2*)

6. Łagów and Pałac Łagów, 22 Strumykowa Street, Łagów, Zgorzelec 59-900 (2* i 3*)

7. Pałac Łomnica, 3 Karpnicka Street, Łomnica 58-531 (2*)

8. Hotel Pałac Restauracja Spiż, 218 Wiejska Street, Miłków near Karpacz 58-535 (3*)

9. Pałac Pakoszów, 3 Zamkowa Street, Piechowice 58-573 (5*)

10. Hotel SPA Pałac Staniszów, 100 Staniszów, Jelenia Góra 58-500 (2*)

11. Zamek na Skale, 151 Trzebieszowice, Lądek Zdrój 57-540 (4*)

12. Hotel Książ, 1 Piastów Śląskich Street, Wałbrzych 58-306 (3*)

13. Hotel Przy Oślej Bramie, 1 Piastów Śląskich Street, Wałbrzych 58-306 (3*)

14. Hotel Zamkowy, 1 Piastów Śląskich Street, Wałbrzych 58-306 (3*)

15. Hotel Platinum Palace, 204 Powstańców Śląskich Street, Wrocław 53-140 (5*)

The location of the hotels that constitute the research sample in relation to the area of the

Lower Silesian Voivodeship, along with information about their category (number of stars).

Fig. 1. Selected research sample (elaborated by A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Il. 1. Wyłoniona próbka badawcza (oprac. A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

56 Agnieszka Adamska-Idzikowska

historical) and interviews with the owners and employees

of the studied hotels. To derive conclusions, comparative

and critical analyses as well as a synthesis were conducted.

It should be emphasized that the research involved visits to

each monument, which enabled collecting numerous pho-

tographs.

In the analysis dedicated to the scope of adaptations, the

study examined, among other aspects, whether the original

outlines of buildings were preserved during the adapta-

tion of castles, palaces, and supplementary structures, or

if decisions were made to expand the existing forms. The

investigation also determined whether the modern struc-

tures were contrasted with the historic ones and whether

the hotels were further expanded after their opening. Three

groups of adaptations were identied based on the scope

and degree of preservation of the original buildings:

– adaptation within the existing structures only (rede-

velopment), e.g., Hotel Spichlerz,

– expansion, e.g., Platinum Palace in Wrocław, where

a contemporary, modern architecture pavilion was added

to the main historic structure,

– reconstruction or restoration, e.g., Uroczysko Sied-

miu Stawów in Gola Dzierżoniowska, where the work be-

gan with the reconstruction of the residence (Fig. 2).

An undeniable advantage of adapting a historic building

for contemporary use is the opportunity to showcase the

original construction solutions and building details preserved

in their authentic locations. Occasionally, elements discov-

ered in rubble are displayed in museum spaces or other ar-

eas

open to the public. In every analysed property, historic

architectural elements and decorations were encountered.

Frequently, older elements were retained for purely deco-

rative purposes in modern implementations, such as frag-

ments of walls, chimneys, or equipment like stoves (Fig. 3).

It was observed that the approach to adapting the main

structure – a castle or palace – into a hotel diers from the

methods used for adapting former farm or ancillary build-

ings for the same purpose. Consequently, the facilities were

divided into two groups: those whose adaptation involved

the main structure and those located in complementary

buildings. A list of shared characteristics was developed

based on the original function of the buildings (Table 1).

Hotels located in farm and ancillary buildings required

a broader scope of work due to the necessity of changing

the function and the poor technical condition of the struc-

tures. In contrast, for hotels in residences, eorts were

made to preserve as many original elements as possible.

As a result, rooms in residences vary in size, reecting the

preservation of historical spatial layouts. Additionally, rep-

resentative multifunctional halls are maintained and used

for elegant events (Fig. 4).

Regardless of the type, the spaces in the studied ho-

tels were planned and utilized thoughtfully and ecient-

ly. The solutions are characterized by individuality and

Fig. 2. Layout diagrams of individual hotel zones – ground floors of buildings:

a) Hotel Spichlerz, b) Platinum Palace, c) Uroczysko Siedmiu Stawów (elaborated by A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Il. 2. Schematy rozmieszczenia poszczególnych stref hotelu – partery budynków:

a) Hotel Spichlerz, b) Platinum Palace, c) Uroczysko Siedmiu Stawów (oprac. A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Fig. 3. Exposed historical elements:

a) in Pałac Staniszów – en grisaille wall paintings from 1934 in the garden salon depicting restored landscape motifs,

b) in Pałac Łagów – hand-painted 400-year-old ceiling panels in the restaurant, c) in Zamek na Skale from the 19

century – courtyard roof

(photo by A. Adamska-Idzikowska, 2022)

Il. 3. Wyeksponowane elementy zabytkowe:

a) w Pałacu Staniszów – malowidła ścienne en grisaille z 1934 r. w saloniku ogrodowym przedstawiające odrestaurowane motywy krajobrazowe,

b) w Pałacu Łagów – ręcznie malowane, 400-letnie panele sufitowe w restauracji, c) w Zamku na Skale z XIX w. – zadaszenie dziedzińca

(fot. A. Adamska-Idzikowska, 2022)

The adaptation of historic castles and palaces of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship into contemporary hotels 57

uniqueness, resulting from adopting “tailor-made” spatial

and functional layouts. A list of the most commonly per-

formed construction works was performed. It is worth add-

ing that in residences, the focus was on reinforcing, reno-

vating, or reconstructing certain elements. In contrast, in the

case of other studied buildings, the work more frequently

involved replacing or introducing new elements (Table 2).

During interviews with the owners and managers of the

enterprises, questions were raised about inconveniences

related to the arrangement of hotel zones within historic

walls. The most common problem identied was the ne-

cessity of passing through areas with diering purposes to

transition between functional zones or having to exit the

building and cross the courtyard. These challenges often

compromised hygiene standards and user comfort. Addi-

tional diculties were associated with the gastronomic

verticals, particularly kitchen facilities, including:

–

insucient space within the residence to accommo-

date a full kitchen facility (e.g., Pałac Łagów, Pałac Restau-

racja Spiż),

Table 1. Common features of the realizations depending on the original function of the building

(elaborated by A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Tabela 1. Cechy wspólne realizacji w zależności od funkcji pierwotnej budynku (oprac. A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Fig. 4. Representative multifunctional halls: a) in Pałac Pakoszów hotel, b) in Pałac Staniszów hotel

(photo by A. Adamska-Idzikowska, 2022)

Il. 4. Reprezentacyjne sale wielofunkcyjne: a) w hotelu Pałac Pakoszów, b) w hotelu Pałac Staniszów

(fot. A. Adamska-Idzikowska, 2022)

Hotels in castles and palaces Hotels in complementary buildings

Minimal intervention in the historic structure was prioritized

Original building partitions were preserved

Primary architectural elements were showcased

Building volumes with original outlines were retained

Extensions avoided interference with the historic structure

Significant differences were observed between individual residences

Designing hotel zones required considerable compromises

Exemptions from regulations were obtained

Hybrid functional and spatial layouts were introduced

Strict requirements of the heritage conservator were met

The change in primary function and the state of preservation

necessitated significant intervention in the remaining structure

artition walls were added during adaptation, with no significant

collisions between functional zones

Few or no original elements were preserved

Buildings were predominantly elongated rectangles in plan

Orthogonal, corridor-based layouts were dominant

A clear division was introduced: ground floors were public,

while upper floors were reserved for guests

Rooms were generally located across two floors

Heritage conservator requirements were less stringent

compared to residences

– placement of kitchen facilities across two oors, re-

sulting in logistical challenges (e.g., Uroczysko Siedmiu

Stawów, Platinum Palace),

– reliance on pre-made products due to space limita-

tions, such as baked goods in Platinum Palace.

Illustrated diagrams present the discussed challenges:

a) Pałac Pakoszów – transition to rooms and the SPA zone

through the restaurant area, b) Pałac Łagów – schematic of

transporting pre-prepared dishes from a kitchen located in

a farmstead building (Fig. 5).

Conclusions for the analytical part

The study established that there are 16 operational hotels

located within 15 adapted castles, palaces, or within their

premises in the Lower Silesia Voivodeship. These facili-

ties, constituting the research sample, are distributed across

13 historic, castle and palace complexes. Each of the 19

analyses conducted enabled us to draw several conclusions.

Below are a few examples related to the general typology:

a b

58 Agnieszka Adamska-Idzikowska

–

the surveyed hotels have an average of 35 rooms and

70 guest beds, the smallest facility, Pałac Łomnica, oers 12

rooms, while the largest, Pałac Krotoszyce, has 68 rooms,

– the hotels vary in standard, with the majority being of

medium and medium-lower standards, while luxury proj-

ects account for four out of 16 establishments,

– based on location, the hotels are classied into: nine

in rural peripheral locations, one in a central rural location,

and six in urban peripheral areas,

– the most recently opened hotels began operations be-

tween 2014 and 2018,

– all surveyed hotels are individually managed

, do not

belong to any hotel chain,

Two hotels are managed by descendants of pre-war owners (Pa-

łac Łomnica and Pałac Pakoszów). Additionally, there are intimate esta-

blishments run by families, such as Pałac Staniszów, Łagów, Pałac Ła-

gów, and Pałac Restauracja Spiż.

Table 2. The most common construction works depending on the primary function of the building (elaborated by A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Tabela 2. Najczęstsze roboty budowlane w zależności od funkcji pierwotnej budynku (oprac. A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Hotels in castles and palaces Hotels in complementary buildings

Strengthening or replacement of parts of the floors

Construction of additional staircases

Repair of worn structural elements

Construction of new roofs modelled on historical designs

Addition of dormer windows or roof windows

Installation of horizontal and vertical insulation.

New façades were created based on historical models

Installation of contemporary windows and doors modelled

after historical styles

Implementation of modern installations

Addition of partition walls to delineate rooms

Introduction of contemporary architectural solutions,

such as glass vestibules, terraces, or additional corridors

Construction of bathrooms in each unit

Interior finishes with modern building materials

Restoration of elements designated for preservation

Reconstruction of some historic decorations

Replacement of wooden floors with prefabricated systems

Replacement of the roof structure along with the roof covering

Construction of new chimneys and ducts

Installation of contemporary staircases

Introduction of modern partitions for rooms

Conversion of attics into guest rooms

Equipping each unit with a bathroom

Equipping the building with modern installations

Insulating the building and adding waterproof

and damp-proof layers

Modification of window and door sizes and positions,

as well as attic lighting

Construction of new façades modelled on the original design

Interior finishes with modern materials

Fig. 5. Schemes illustrating the necessity of passing through hotels zones with different functions:

a) Pałac Pakoszów, b) Pałac Łagów (elaborated by A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Il. 5. Schematy przedstawiające konieczność przechodzenia przez strefy o odmiennej funkcji:

a) Pałac Pakoszów, b) Pałac Łagów (oprac. A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

a b

The adaptation of historic castles and palaces of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship into contemporary hotels 59

– the three most common hotel functions are

: resi-

dential (ten facilities), event venue (six facilities), SPA &

Wellness (four facilities).

The analysis also revealed that in 15 out of the 16 initia-

tives, the historical structure and former layout of the com-

plexes form the main theme of the investment. Addition-

ally, the following distinctive categories were identied:

ve boutique hotels, two thematic hotels – one featuring

a brewery and another with an equestrian centre, also one

eco-friendly hotel.

The studies of the building volumes revealed the fol-

lowing insights:

– all complexes adapted and changed the previous use

of attic spaces,

– in some projects, two attic oors were constructed,

– it is common to observe the addition of mezzanines

(entresols) above rooms located on the highest attic oors,

– among the surveyed hotels, none are single-story

buildings,

– the highest building adapted into a hotel has ve

above-ground stories,

– none of the buildings were extended upward, histori-

cal forms of the volumes were preserved,

– nine out of 16 hotels have basements or partial under-

ground levels,

– the majority of the hotels are located in free-standing

buildings,

– hotel zones are most frequently arranged in two sep-

arate buildings,

– slightly more projects feature compact building vo-

lu mes,

– due to the diverse styles, scales, forms, and charac-

ters, each project is unique, with no two identical imple-

mentations.

In the process of adapting historical castles and palac-

es to hotels, the eorts of the Provincial Heritage Conser-

vator, designers, and property owners aimed at restoring

pre-war forms and achieving a cohesive appearance of the

complexes. The original external forms were preserved,

and building volumes underwent minimal modications.

New elements, such as façades, roof slopes, and wood-

work, retained the historical character and were often rec-

reated based on historical patterns (Figs. 6–8).

Roofs were designed to match the original styles, of-

ten constructed in alignment with prevailing architectural

trends or technical capabilities of the era. Common roof

types include: gable or hipped, jerkinhead, mansard and

irregular, complex structures. Modern pavilion extensions

were designed with at roofs, ensuring they did not com-

pete with the historical slopes. Signicant roof alterations

included the addition of dormer windows, either singular

or in band systems, and skylights. These modications

were driven by the need to ensure sucient natural light-

It was observed that the individual functions merged with each

other, and the studied projects were characterized by several distinctive

zones. Key areas include those related to recreation and event organization.

As a result of the analyses, it was determined that most often, the stay at

the hotel was motivated by relaxation and leisure activities, including the

use of the wellness amenities.

ing for newly repurposed attic spaces while respecting the

historical context.

The individual nature of the projects was reinforced

through the preservation or reproduction of specic features

of the building forms, including: risalits and pseudorisalits,

bay windows, porticos, terraces and balconies, cornices,

pilasters, buttresses, attics, side alcoves, and entrances pre-

ceded by stairs. The following were also observed:

– original arrangement of window openings and their

frames,

–

symmetrical façades, those lacking symmetry, or with

a dened rhythm,

– buildings with half-timbered construction,

– massive chimneys and heating ducts,

– glass roong over the courtyard.

The studied monuments diered signicantly from each

other, primarily due to the time of their construction, his-

torical conditions, and the adopted aesthetics. It is worth

emphasizing that most of the aforementioned features are

preserved original elements, which constitute a value and

strength of hotels in adapted castles and palaces.

Another important issue concerned the characteristics

of the residential units. During a detailed analysis, the fol-

lowing conclusions were reached:

– the majority of the hotels oer three types of residen-

tial units – standard rooms, upgraded standard rooms, and

suites; this solution was adopted in six establishments,

– ten of the 16 hotels have only single and double rooms,

– three establishments provide only classic rooms, two

feature styled or stylized rooms, and three others oer ex-

clusively interiors with modern designs,

– the group of hotels with a cohesive style included

those identied as luxury hotels

In a separate publication, conclusions regarding the stylis-

tics and interior furnishings of the examined hotels were pre-

sented. It is worth noting that the Lower Silesian examples of

adapting palace and castle complexes served as a means of

rescuing historic monuments. Most of these complexes were

unused before renovation work began (seven out of 16),

resulting in signicant deterioration and looting. Instances

of theft of nishing elements, such as ooring, panelling,

woodwork, were reported. The research sample included

eight

residences and an equal number of farm and ancillary

buildings. Interestingly, guest rooms already existed in six

out of the 16 undertakings, with the hotels being established

by upgrading the standards of these accommodations. Con-

sequently, restoring utility functions to these buildings or

enhancing the standards of existing establishments was

evaluated positively. It was estimated that the adaptation

process to hotel purposes took an average of 4.8 years.

A notable common feature of seven out of the 16 projects

was the preparation of additional guest rooms unrelated to

the hotel itself. These extra accommodations were provid-

ed in all two- and three-star establishments, conrming

the general intent of owners to increase eciency and prof-

its from their operations.

It sometimes occurred that the presence of two types of ar ran-

gements was due to the staged nature of the renovation work.

60 Agnieszka Adamska-Idzikowska

Further considerations were limited to the scope of ad-

aptation. The following patterns were identied:

– when adapting castles and palaces for hotel purposes,

the preserved original structures were utilized as a priority

– 11 out of 16 projects followed this approach,

– in six cases, the opening of a hotel involved the re-

construction or remodelling of historical buildings – all of

these instances pertained to farm and ancillary structures,

– 13 out of the 16 projects were developed within

buildings retaining their original footprints

– in three cases, decisions to construct entirely new,

separate structures were made during the adaptation pro-

cess, while four additional hotels were expanded after they

began operations,

– among the expanded realizations, three adopted

a “historic-modern” contrast in the architectural design of

the old and new structures,

Treating hotels in Łagów as 2 separate ventures.

Fig. 6. The structure of the Pałac Pakoszów hotel:

a) condition as of 1965 (photo from the monument registration card), b) condition as of 2022 (photo by A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Il. 6. Bryła hotelu Pałac Pakoszów:

a) stan z 1965 r. (fot. z karty ewidencyjnej zabytku), b) stan z 2022 r. (fot. A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Fig. 7. The structure of the Pałac Staniszów hotel:

a) condition as of 1994 (photo from the monument registration card), b) condition as of 2022 (photo by A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Il. 7. Bryła hotelu Pałac Staniszów:

a) stan z 1994 r. (fot. z karty ewidencyjnej zabytku), b) stan z 2022 r. (fot. A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

– remnants of the historic substance were highlighted

in 13 out of the 16 hotels

(in eight residences and ve

auxiliary buildings

– preserved original elements were most often located

in publicly accessible spaces.

The next step was to examine the location of the indi-

vidual hotel zones. Several clear trends were identied in

this regard:

– eight hotels are located exclusively in auxiliary build-

ings, such as farm and ancillary buildings or outbuildings,

– seven hotels consist of a main structure surrounded

by auxiliary buildings,

Treating hotels in Łagów as 2 separate ventures.

The exposed historic substance in the residences most commonly

pertains to the building’s structure, including the roof truss, volumes, and

forms, as well as interior nishes and architectural details. In the context

of farmstead and auxiliary buildings, it typically includes structural

elements of the building and remnants of vaulting.

a b

The adaptation of historic castles and palaces of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship into contemporary hotels 61

Fig. 8. The structure of the Pałac Łagów hotel:

a) condition as of 1931 (photo from the collection of the current property owner),

b) condition during the use by the State Agricultural Farm (photo from the collection of the current property owner),

c) façade in 2013 (photo from the collection of the current property owner), d) condition as of 2022 (photo by A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

Il. 8. Bryła hotelu Pałac Łagów:

a) stan z 1931 r. (fot. ze zbiorów obecnego właściciela nieruchomości),

b) stan z czasów użytkowania przez PGR (fot. ze zbiorów obecnego właściciela nieruchomości),

c) fasada w 2013 r. (fot. ze zbiorów obecnego właściciela nieruchomości), d) stan z 2022 r. (fot. A. Adamska-Idzikowska)

– no projects with all hotel zones located only within

the palace or castle,

– all adapted residences included at least part of the to-

tal number of hotel rooms,

– in six cases, moving between dierent hotel zones

does not require leaving the building, whereas in nine cases,

it is necessary,

– in ten projects, rooms were designed in at least two

buildings,

– gastronomic verticals were designed in both the main

residences and ancillary buildings,

– recreational verticals were primarily located in com-

plementary buildings,

–

support and technical rooms, including storage areas,

were designed in both the residences and auxiliary buildings,

– ve projects served as complementary components

of larger complexes

During the research on functional verticals, the presence

of characteristic elements was veried. For the gastronomic

vertical, these included services such as a restaurant, café

or bar, and wine cellars. Similarly, for the recreational ver-

tical, the presence of amenities such as swimming pools,

That is, coexisting with other ventures, meaning that guests can

enjoy attractions oered in the remaining buildings, even though these

buildings are not part of the hotel.

62 Agnieszka Adamska-Idzikowska

jacuzzis, and wellness treatments was examined. Addition-

ally, the analysis identied which services were designed

to be accessible to the general public. These ndings were

documented in a separate study.

Summary

Both formulated thesis statements have been proven. It

has been conrmed that the discussed adaptations of his-

toric castles and palaces into hotels oer a “new life” in

terms of both functionality and technical condition. The

study demonstrated that the historic substance – its form,

structure, selected building partitions, and details – serves

as a foundation and an added value for contemporary proj-

ects, embodying the genius loci. Overnight stays within

historic interiors provide unique experiences unavailable

in newly constructed establishments. In terms of amenities

and the scale of functional verticals, hotels adapted from

castles and palaces are on par with newly built establish-

ments. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the examined

facilities are situated in scenically attractive locations with

good transport accessibility. A typology of contemporary

hotels designed in historic castles and palaces was also de-

veloped based on adaptations within the Lower Silesian

Voivodeship. The analysis further revealed that the com-

pleted projects have been met with a positive reception

from the public.

The primary purpose of this study was to demonstrate

that the architectural building substance and urban sur-

roundings of historic castles and palaces provide signi-

cant potential for creating unique hotels through adaptive

reuse. The discussion of the existing realizations facilitated

the identication of guidelines useful for developing simi-

lar projects while also updating the current state of knowl-

edge on the subject.

Moreover, the conclusions drawn from the analyses

may encourage potential entrepreneurs to undertake fur-

ther initiatives, contributing to the preservation and public

accessibility of the following monuments. This underlines

both the theoretical and practical dimensions of the study.

Importantly, based on the presented analyses, it is pre-

dicted that the trend of adapting heritage buildings for use

as contemporary hotels is developmental and deserves at-

tention in future research by scholars from various disci-

plines, including architecture and urban planning.

Translated by

Agnieszka Adamska-Idzikowska

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Streszczenie

Adaptacje zabytkowych zamków i pałaców województwa dolnośląskiego na współczesne hotele

Tematem niniejszej pracy są wszystkie zaadaptowane na hotele zamki i pałace wpisane do rejestru zabytków i położone na terenie województwa

dolnośląskiego. Rozważaniami objęto całe założenia rezydencjonalne łącznie z zabudową uzupełniającą i folwarczną, a także otaczającymi je par-

kami i ogrodami. Za kryterium czasowe uznano funkcjonowanie przedsięwzięcia w trakcie prowadzenia studiów przypadków, czyli lata 2019–2022.

Najstarszy z omawianych budynków datowany jest na XVI w., a najmłodszy na początek XX w. Przedsięwzięcia należące do próbki badawczej

uruchamiano w latach 1996–2014.

W zależności od etapu prac przyjmowano odpowiednie metody badań, takie jak analiza materiałów źródłowych i wywiady z właścicielami oraz

pracownikami hoteli. Wykonano analizy porównawcze, krytyczne i syntezę w celu uzyskania wniosków. Badania obejmowały kilkukrotne wizyty

w obiektach, dokumentowane zdjęciami. Przeprowadzono wiele analiz związanych z kryteriami typologii, procesem i zasięgiem adaptacji, lokaliza-

cją poszczególnych stref pionów funkcjonalnych, głównymi atutami przedsięwzięć, a także syntezą wybranych cech hoteli.

Poprzez wieloaspektową analizę dotychczasowych realizacji z terenu województwa dolnośląskiego wyciągnięto wnioski dotyczące pozytywnych

i negatywnych aspektów przeprowadzonych adaptacji zamków i pałaców na hotele. Na tej podstawie sformułowano zalecenia, które mogą służyć

badaczom, konserwatorom, projektantom czy potencjalnym inwestorom. Najważniejszym elementem niniejszego opracowania jest jednak wypełnie-

nie luki w wiedzy dotyczącej omawianego tematu. Warto podkreślić, że działania tego typu pozwalają nie tylko na prowadzenie udanej działalności

biznesowej, ale przede wszystkim na uratowanie przed zniszczeniem zamku lub pałacu będącego świadectwem przeszłości.

Udowodniono, że istniejące adaptacje na hotele zamków i pałaców wpisanych do rejestru zabytków oraz zlokalizowanych na terenie wojewódz-

twa dolnośląskiego to przykład wartościowych działań architektonicznych służących ponownemu wykorzystaniu historycznych budynków wraz

z otoczeniem i stworzeniu unikatowych hoteli, o specycznej atmosferze przepełnionej historią i genius loci, dostosowanych do potrzeb współczes-

nych gości.

Słowa kluczowe: hotel, zamek, pałac, adaptacja obiektu zabytkowego, województwo dolnośląskie