Finckenstein Palace
The village of Kamieniec in northern Poland holds the ruins of a Baroque palace. John von Collas designed this structure between 1716 and 1720. Prussian Field Marshal Albrecht Konrad Reinhold Finck von Finckenstein erected it during those years. The building stood about 40 kilometers south of Elbląg. It remained with the Finck von Finckenstein family until 1782.
Friedrich zu Dohna-Schlobitten acquired the property in 1782 as the son-in-law of Friedrich Ludwig Finck von Finckenstein. He lived there until his death in 1825. His son Alexander took over from 1825 to 1831. Wilhelm then held the estate from 1831 to 1845. Fabian followed him from 1845 to 1850. Rodrigo managed the grounds for fifty years starting in 1850. Georg inherited the title in 1900, followed by Alfred in 1912. Hermann resided there from 1929 until 1942. Alfred returned to live in the house from 1942 until the end of World War II.
Napoleon Bonaparte made the palace his residence from April through June 1807. He declared Enfin un chateau upon seeing it for the first time. The Treaty of Finckenstein between France and Persia was signed within its walls on the 27th of April 1807. Persian Envoy Mirza Mohammad-Reza Qazvini met Napoleon to finalize the agreement. Maria Walewska served as his Polish mistress during this period. They lived together inside the palace while negotiations continued. A Hollywood movie titled Conquest later depicted these events with Greta Garbo and Charles Boyer. That film was actually shot in Monterey California instead of Kamieniec.
Red Army soldiers set the palace on fire on the 22nd of January 1945. This occurred during their conquest of Prussia in World War II. Alfred zu Dohna-Finckenstein was the last owner residing there at that time. He lived in the building from 1942 until the destruction. Hermann had died in 1942 before the final attack. The burning marked the end of the structure's physical existence.
The ruins remain visible today in the village of Kamieniec. Photos from 2011 show the damaged state of the former Baroque palace. It sits about 25 miles south of Elbląg in northern Poland. Formerly part of West Prussia, it now stands as a historical site. The location holds significance for its architectural history and wartime events. No reconstruction has replaced the original building since 1945.
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Common questions
Who designed the Finckenstein Palace and when was it built?
John von Collas designed the Finckenstein Palace between 1716 and 1720. Prussian Field Marshal Albrecht Konrad Reinhold Finck von Finckenstein erected the structure during those years.
What happened to the Finckenstein Palace on the 22nd of January 1945?
Red Army soldiers set the Finckenstein Palace on fire on the 22nd of January 1945. This event occurred during their conquest of Prussia in World War II and marked the end of the building's physical existence.
Where did Napoleon Bonaparte stay during his time at the Finckenstein Palace?
Napoleon Bonaparte made the Finckenstein Palace his residence from April through June 1807. He declared Enfin un chateau upon seeing the property for the first time while staying there with Maria Walewska.
When was the Treaty of Finckenstein signed inside the palace?
The Treaty of Finckenstein between France and Persia was signed within the walls of the Finckenstein Palace on the 27th of April 1807. Persian Envoy Mirza Mohammad-Reza Qazvini met Napoleon to finalize the agreement during this period.
Who owned the Finckenstein Palace after Friedrich zu Dohna-Schlobitten acquired it in 1782?
Friedrich zu Dohna-Schlobitten acquired the Finckenstein Palace in 1782 as the son-in-law of Friedrich Ludwig Finck von Finckenstein. His descendants including Alexander, Wilhelm, Fabian, Rodrigo, Georg, Alfred, and Hermann held the estate until its destruction in 1945.