Ksiaz Castle History Part 3

The biggest role in the history of the construction of the castle was played by Conrad Ernest Maximilian von Hochberg (1705-1742). Having completed his education and having made numerous travels, he decided to serrle on the family estate and reconstruct the castle. It was on his initiative that the splendid, Baroque wing of the Ksiaz castle was bulit. The terrain at the foot of the Upper Castle's tower was levelled and turned into a cour d' honneur with adjacent buildings including utility annexes, a bath, and a gatehouse. The gatehouse, also called the barrack, served as the quarters of the castle guards also housed the library, which inclued collection of art and curiosities of nature. Also under Conrad Ernest Maximilian's rule, a summer pavilion was built on a poplar-wooded hill. In the second half of the 19th century, the pavilion became the family's mausoleum and funeral chapel. Under the rule of John Henry VI (1789-1833), whose father John Henry V obtained the status of primogenital hereditary fidei-comissum for Ksiaz landscaping projects were undertaken in the vicinity of the castle. In accordance with designs by a Hessian arcitect and painter, Christian William Tischbein, buildings were erected in the surrounding park and artifical ruins were built on the medieval foundation of the old Ksiaz castle.

In 1847 John Henry X (1833-1855), the son of John Henry VI, became the heir to the Duchy of Pszcyna (confirmed by the king of Prussia in 1848) and to the title of duke which the Hochberg family obtained in 1850. After his death, the castle was inherited by John Henry XI (1855-1907). During his life, the duke held many offices and honours. As a close associate of Emperor William I, he made many diplomatic trips to St. Peterburg and Rome. In 1851, his merits were honoured with the title of 'Serene Highness', in 1881 with the hereditary title of prinz for each first-born son, and finally, at the end of 1905, he was made herzog (Duke) for life.

Under his successor, John Henry XV (1907-1938), the last and probably most extensive remodelling took place. Between 1908 and 1923, tow wings (West Wing and North Wing) were erected in the style of Neo-Renaissance. Two newly-built round towers on the western side adorned the eclectic structure. The castle's historical interiors were also reconstructed. The tower was raised to the height of 47 meters and crowned with a cupola and lantern. Also the terraces received their present shape. The wife of John Henry XV was the beautiful Duchess Daisy (actually Mary Theresa Olivia Cornwallis West), the most charming character in the castle's history. The duke marriedher on 8 December 1891. Duchess Daisy was not only socially prominent but also active in many charities. She was instrumental in establishing orphanages and health care for working mothers in many districts of Walbryzh. She died on 29 June 1943 in the Walbrzych park villa which house the administrative offices of the Ksiaz estate (tody the villa at 1 Zamkowa Street houses the Provincial Administration Office). Earlier, in 1941, the castle had been confiscated by the Nazis on the grounds of treason because the two sons were fighting against Hitler: the elder John Henry XVII, in the British Army, and his younger brother, Alexander, in the Polish Army.