The Raczyński Palace

The palace was founded by Kazimierz Raczyński, Grand Scribe of the Crown and later Grand Marshal of the Court. He chose Rogalin for its picturesque setting above the Warta valley and its proximity to Poznań. The residence was built in 1770-1776 to a design by an unknown architect from the royal circle. Its "between courtyard and garden" layout comes from the baroque, while the building also shows rococo and early neoclassical features.

A neoclassical modernisation began as early as the 1780s, based on designs by Dominik Merlini and Jan Christian Kamsetzer. After 1815 Edward Raczyński turned the ballroom into a romantic neo-gothic Armoury holding old Polish weapons and national mementoes. At the end of the 19th century Zygmunt Hendel converted the former banqueting hall into a neo-rococo library for more than ten thousand books on art.

During the Second World War the palace housed a Hitler Youth school, and after 1945 it was used, among other things, as a primary school. Renovations funded by Norwegian and EU grants in 2007-2009 and 2013-2015 made it possible to restore the historic decor. The restored interiors present a home furnished with objects gathered from the 18th century until 1939.