Ornamental Farm

The term “Ornamental Farm,” although in a slightly different form, first appeared in the work of Stephen Switzer, a garden designer and writer describing early English gardens in the 18th century, and meant an ornamental farm. This form of garden was intended to make the landed estate more attractive, without changing its essential function and purpose of operation. On the one hand, the farm was supposed to bring profit and perform utilitarian functions, and on the other hand, the aristocratic residence was to be surrounded by an attractive enclave for recreation and leisure. At the same time, this kind of land management could sensitize the beauty of the people working there and visitors. From 1790, the term “ornamental farm” also meant ornamental farm buildings. Such an ornamental farm was established in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries by the hailer Frederick von Reden in Bukowiec.

Farm

In the central part of the park is a huge farmhouse. The magnificent classicist farm buildings in Bukowiec were built in the early 19th century. After the death of Count von Reden in 1815, the manor managed by the countess prospered perfectly and brought in a large income. Frederica took care of the estate herself for 39 years, supplying linen cloth for the army, brewing beer kept pedigree cows, cultivated trees and shrubs, and experimented with new species of grain. The estate also included livestock ponds.

The farmstead consists of: The former Brewery, the Management Building, the Barn and located behind the palace, the Sheepfold and the Cowshed, known as the “Horseshoe”.

The former Brewery was built along the community road, almost opposite the palace. Its ground floor was filled with a single-space interior, which contained vats for brewing beer. After 1900, the building lost its brewing functions and was converted into an inn. Today it houses the Mystery Forest Museum and a branch of the Mysłakowice municipal library.

The former Inn was connected to the Brewery after it was built in the early 19th century. Today it is a modernized after the war, three-story residential building remaining in private hands.

The Board Building is a building that was assigned various functions, including spa and hospitality. Mainly, however, it was the seat of the management of the landed estate. Today it houses apartments for those willing to relax in the tranquility of the park.

The Artistic Barn, built around 1800, served as a farm building until the post-war years of the 20th century. It now houses the Cafeteria, the Museum in the Valley of Palaces and Gardens and the Concert Hall.

The barn is a three-winged administrative and farm building, known today as the “Horseshoe”. It used to be the main compositional element of the manor layout. From the side of the courtyard, the gallery referred to the Palladian style and created an aesthetic effect unparalleled in farm buildings. Revitalization of the building is planned in the coming years.

The former Sheepfold – today the Piotr Napierla Cultural and Educational Center. The building houses a large multipurpose hall, a number of workshop studios and accommodation facilities.

Park

The biggest attraction of Bukowiec is undoubtedly the landscape park, established at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries by Count von Reden. It was created as the first romantic establishment in Silesia and is still considered a unique work. It combines the qualities of the natural foothills landscape with architecture and nature. The authorship of the park project is often attributed to Count von Reden himself. It is known, however, that during the period of the creation of the establishment, the esteemed garden designer H.K. Walther stayed in Bukowiec. The park was shaped in the type of the so-called ornamental farm, and there were elements of small architecture characteristic of the Romantic period.

Achieving magnificent landscape effects was facilitated by the natural terrain: strong deforestation of the hilly surroundings, its irrigation, nearby forest, small groves, clusters of ponds and panorama of the Giant Mountains. Currently, the park covers an area of more than 120 hectares, with 10 ponds and numerous park pavilions, garden architecture and natural rock compositions.

Teahouse

The pavilion, also called the Temple of Athena or Belvedere, was built in 1804 in the form of a Greek temple. It was a gift to Countess von Reden on her second wedding anniversary. The central part of the building was opened to the panorama of the Krkonoše Mountains and a columned salon with niches, on the walls of which one can read biographies of the Count and Countess romantically facing each other. Today, one of the Wings of the Teahouse houses the so-called Mobile Library, while the other houses an exhibition of the eleven palace foundations included by the President of the Republic of Poland on the prestigious list of Monuments of History.

Lookout tower

The observation tower, also called the Watchtower. Next to the tower in the English Neo-Gothic style is the artificial ruin of Kessel Castle. The view from the tower is so unique that it allows you to admire the panorama in all directions: from the Karkonosze through the Izera and Kaczawskie Mountains to the Janowickie Ore Mountains.

Abbey

It was built before 1800 as a garden pavilion in neo-Gothic style. In 1815, after Count von Reden’s death, it was converted into a mausoleum. In 1818 the Count’s body was laid to rest there and in 1854 the Countess was also buried there. After the Abbey was looted in 1924. the then owner of Bukovec, Friedrich von Rotenhan, had the sarcophagi of the von Reden couple moved to the cemetery located behind the Abbey. Today, the restored building has created another vantage point on the tower, which is now reached by an outdoor staircase.

Attractions in Bukowiec

– Mysterious Forest Museum – presents the rich world of flora and fauna of the region, interesting facts of animal life and secrets that the forest hides every day. It is great fun for both children and adults. Listening and imitating the sounds of nature, watching wild animals in their natural habitat or forest cinema are just some of the attractions that bring you closer to the natural riches of the Jelenia Góra Valley. An interactive pond, which you can jump into, and educational kiosks, thanks to which you can remember the natural curiosities of the Jeleniogórska Valley through play, await the youngest visitors. The museum is located in the building of the former Brewery.
– Artistic Barn – a space with a unique atmosphere, accompanying numerous artistic events. Cyclical annual festivals are held here, such as the Festival of Music in June, the Bukowieckie Dumanie in July, or the Festival dell’Arte in August, the idea behind which is to combine different genres of art and present them in historic buildings.
– Sightseeing – a walk with a guide telling about the history of the establishment of the foundation in Bukovec, as well as the interesting features of the countryside and nature.

– Additional attractions: boat rental, organizing a bonfire, torch walk

– Café in the Artistic Barn – a charming place where you can not only relax, but most importantly unwind with good music and a glass of wine in the surroundings of a 120-acre romantic park. You can also buy souvenirs and handicraft products here.

– Extensive Park

– The Museum in the Valley of Palaces and Gardens – a new attraction of an already rich tourist destination. Visitors to the museum become engrossed in history and are transported to the past. This is possible thanks to a number of innovative solutions, distinguishing it from other museums. In “In the Valley of Palaces and Gardens” one can see large-format presentations of photographs, graphics and lithographs of individual objects, get acquainted with hand-made models of Chojnik Castle or Pakoszow Palace, and move, thanks to streaming speakers, into the world of Izabela Czartoryska’s memories. All voice and text materials are available in three language versions: Polish, English and German.

Bukowiec Farm and Park

Gallery