Marianna of Orange Palace

Kamieniec Ząbkowicki, Poland

The Marianna of Orange Palace in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki is an impressive 19th-century Neo-Gothic residence. Situated on a hill, it is surrounded by a vast park with terraces, alleys, and fountains. The massive structure, crowned with four towers, combines the austerity of a medieval fortress with the elegance of an aristocratic residence. In the past, its interiors dazzled with splendor and hosted European elites. Damaged and looted after the war, it decayed for decades, but today it is regaining its former glory thanks to revitalization, becoming one of the most important attractions in Lower Silesia.

Accessibility of the Palace for People with Disabilities and Wheelchair Users

The beautiful photos and information about the Palace in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki circulating in the media encouraged me to check whether this magnificent tourist attraction is accessible for people with disabilities. Very quickly I found out that visiting is not possible for wheelchair users due to more than 300 stairs encountered during the tour of the palace interiors. I was a bit disappointed that despite the huge funds spent on revitalization, accessibility for people with disabilities was not taken into account.

Access to the Marianna of Orange Palace

Knowing that touring the interiors of the Palace in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki is impossible in a wheelchair, I decided to go anyway, hoping at least to get into the courtyard. Unfortunately, at the gate we were greeted by a "no entry" sign stating it does not apply to authorized persons. Not being sure whether a disabled parking card would exempt us from this restriction, we drove uphill on a bumpy road. After about 100 meters, we reached the main entrance, which was accessed by an even steeper, several-meter-long road. Not giving up, we drove further along the uneven road until we reached a fence. That finally stopped us, but at least to a very small extent I was able to see the beauty and grandeur of this building.

Is it worth visiting the Palace in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki?

People with reduced mobility or wheelchair users have no chance not only to tour the Marianna of Orange Palace, but also to see it up close, as either fences block the way or trees obscure the view. What I managed to see was hardly worth the time spent on this tourist attraction. That time could definitely be used better. It is quite surprising that with such a major investment, no thought was given to accessibility for wheelchair users, even to the smallest degree.