Gładysze

Gładysze
Village
Palace ruins
Gładysze
Coordinates: 54°9′N 19°55′E
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Warmian-Masurian
County	Braniewo
Gmina	Wilczęta
Population	314

Gładysze [ɡwaˈdɨʂɛ] is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Wilczęta, within Braniewo County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, in northern Poland. It lies approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) south-east of Wilczęta, 27 km (17 mi) south of Braniewo, and 56 km (35 mi) north-west of the regional capital Olsztyn.

History

The village was first mentioned as Schklodien or Sklodien, a name of Old Prussian origin, that probably refers to the initial owner "Sklode", which is an Old Prussian name. The village was the property of the von Werner family until 1643, when the area was bought by a member of the Dohna family and remained within this family up to 1945. Christoph I. zu Dohna-Schlodien inherited the village in 1688 and decided to build a representative palace. He employed Jean de Bodt with the construction, which was erected in 1701-1704.

In 1802 Carl Ludwig zu Dohna-Schlodien voluntarily released the local peasants out of the traditional subservience. In 1809 the later Prussian Kings Frederick William IV of Prussia and Wilhelm estivated at Schlodien as well as Max von Schenkendorf in 1813/14.

At the end of World War II the Palace was plundered by the Red Army throughout the East Prussian Offensive in early 1945. The area became part of Poland and the Palace was used as a grain storehouse and later unused. In 1986 the Palace burnt down, today only ruins are left.

Notable residents

• Christoph I. zu Dohna-Schlodien (1665–1733), Prussian general and diplomat
• Christoph II von Dohna (1702–1762), Prussian general

External links

• History of Schlodien Palace (in German and Polish)