Explore #22 of ‘The Picnics & Palaces Tour’

Our palaces megatour continued with a quick late-afternoon stopover at another grand old palace which has fallen into serious (and now terminal) decline…

History (translated and rewritten from here).

The baroque Palace Belcz dates back to 1787, when it was owned by the von Kalkereuth family. The estate then passed to the Schönborns, before being bought by Ludwig Adolph Theodor Dürr in 1898.

During World War II the palace was commandeered by the German state, possibly due to the owner’s debt.

In the Post-War years the palace and grounds went through various uses, including an agricultural school, a factory, and from the 1970s until 1997 was an educational centre for mentally disabled children.

The palace is now privately owned, but sits empty and uncared for. On 15 May 2016 (just days after our visit), a huge fire destroyed almost the entire roof of the palace.

Our Explore

This was a relaxed little explore – as you will see there’s not a huge amount left of interest these days other than the smashed remains of the double staircase…

Twin Split Stairs Staircase windows ruins Great Belcz Palace Pałac w Bełczu Wielkim Urbex Poland Adam X Urban Exploration Access 2016 Abandoned decay lost forgotten derelict location haunting eerie

…a few features still remain in this side room, such as the ornate ceiling and crest above the fireplace…
Ornate Ceiling room fireplace Great Belcz Palace Pałac w Bełczu Wielkim Urbex Poland Adam X Urban Exploration Access 2016 Abandoned decay lost forgotten derelict location haunting eerie

Crest ornate ceiling Great Belcz Palace Pałac w Bełczu Wielkim Urbex Poland Adam X Urban Exploration Access 2016 Abandoned decay lost forgotten derelict location haunting eerie

The rear of the property…
External exterior outside back rear Main hall twin split stairs staircase Great Belcz Palace Pałac w Bełczu Wielkim Urbex Poland Adam X Urban Exploration Access 2016 Abandoned decay lost forgotten derelict location haunting eerie

…and how it once looked in its heyday a century ago…

Back to those stairs…
Main hall twin split stairs staircase Great Belcz Palace Pałac w Bełczu Wielkim Urbex Poland Adam X Urban Exploration Access 2016 Abandoned decay lost forgotten derelict location haunting eerie

Main hall twin split stairs staircase Great Belcz Palace Pałac w Bełczu Wielkim Urbex Poland Adam X Urban Exploration Access 2016 Abandoned decay lost forgotten derelict location haunting eerie

The view from a balcony on the first floor landing…
View from balcony looking down Main hall twin split stairs staircase Great Belcz Palace Pałac w Bełczu Wielkim Urbex Poland Adam X Urban Exploration Access 2016 Abandoned decay lost forgotten derelict location haunting eerie

Tourists! 😛
External Exterior Outside Front Facade Main hall twin split stairs staircase Great Belcz Palace Pałac w Bełczu Wielkim Urbex Poland Adam X Urban Exploration Access 2016 Abandoned decay lost forgotten derelict location haunting eerie before the fire

Thanks for stopping by.

Adam X