PLEASE NOTE: CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION.

One of Silesia’s best kept secrets seemingly since its creation, this absolutely stunning hunting lodge has discreetly passed the centuries overlooking a picturesque lake in the middle of a dense forest, down a dirt road 30km south of Katowice, between Tychy and Pszczyna. Though hardly a challenge to visit for anyone with a car, Promnice’s relatively remote location has helped ensure the survival of one of the area’s most unique, unexpected and astoundingly beautiful architectural monuments.

Essentially a small castle, this English neo-Gothic ‘hunting lodge’ was built in 1868 when the land fell to Herzog von Pless, holder of the title ‘Master of the Emperor’s Hunt’ in the Prussian Empire, which occupied the area at that time. Closely connected to the Prussian court in Berlin, von Pless built the immaculate lodge to host grand hunting parties in the surrounding forests, which were attended by rulers from all over Europe, including Emperor Wilhelm I and Tsar Alexander II. Bison from Białowieża forest were even brought to the area to make the regal outings more exotic and prestigious. Almost unaltered since the von Pless dynasty passed into oblivion in 1945, the sumptuous interiors are densely adorned with all manner of mounted beasts, rifles, weaponry and royal hunting regalia, original period furnishings, gorgeously carved wainscoting, English wallpapers and a plethora of oil paintings depicting hunting scenes.

The German-influenced exterior features a tower embellished with stag heads, decorative timber framing, stained-glass windows, and wooden balconies. Aesthetically, Promnice is unlike anything else in Silesia and its incredibly scenic location on Paprocańskie Lake surrounded by forests full of hiking and biking trails makes it a great place to unwind as well as take photos. Today this historic place is open to the public as a hotel and restaurant. Walk-ins are welcome in the restaurant when private functions aren’t taking place, and we highly recommend booking one of the apartments if you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway. In either case it’s wise to call ahead and announce your intention to visit, which we guarantee you won’t regret.