Architectural Legacy of The Palace at Osowa Sien

Architectural Legacy:
The Vision Behind The Palace at Osowa Sien

Constructed in the late 19th century by Baroness Anna (née von Heydebrand und der Lasa) and Baron Eugen von Seherr-Thoss, The Palace at Osowa Sien features a chalk-white facade and the tallest tower in the land. Designed as a Jagdschloss or Lustschloss the palace was meant for breathtaking feasts and intimate celebrations. Today, we host small, private group stays for up to 46 overnight guests and up to 62 partygoers, maintaining its original spirit.

The grand entrance is adorned with their initials AST and EST, with Anna's on the right, reflecting her vision for the property, and Eugen's on the left, showing his support. A cartouche above merges their family crests, symbolizing their unity. Their portraits, removed during the Soviet advance in 1945, have been returned, offering guests a glimpse into history.

Anna’s nephew, Lothar von Brandenstein, and his wife, Ruth von Ostau, took over the palace in 1919. Lothar, a military major and equestrian, developed a thriving horse breeding business here. As they settled in and started their family, which grew to include four daughters—Annelies, Rotraut, Jolanthe (Leonie), and Mahand—all born at the castle, along with many faithful dogs, the couple modernized the palace in the late 1930s.

They skillfully integrated Art Deco touches with the existing Neo-Renaissance and Gothic architecture, creating a distinctive and harmonious fusion of styles. During this time, many well-known personalities such as Kurt von Schleicher, Erwin Planck, and Georg Thomas spent time at the castle with the von Brandenstein family. Recently, a portrait of Ruth was brought back by one of Ruth's granddaughters after it had been taken during the war and was in the family's possession.

After 1945, The Palace at Osowa Sien fell under state control as the Soviet Army advanced and the Brandenstein family, like so many others in the area, fled. Over time, the lands were lost, though the estate and surrounding park was reclaimed by private owners who restored it as an exclusive home, giving it a new lease on life.

Today, the palace is more than a single-family legacy; it's a symbol of inspiration and history, captivating guests with its story as Osowa Sień's history continues to unfold.

Osowa Sień: A Village Steeped in History

First documented in 1312

Osowa Sień (with its earliest recorded name Ryegstroph in 1312, later evolving through various forms such as Rudegeri villa in 1325 and Ossowa Schen in 1416, and known as Röhrsdorf during the Prussian era) has a rich history deeply rooted in the regions of Lower Silesia and Greater Poland.

It was initially a knight's domain granted by Duke Henry II of Głogów and Greater Poland to Dytmar of Pannewitz. The Ossowski family, associated with the German-Polish Awstacz coat of arms, became prominent landholders here and played a significant role in shaping the village’s development. They are believed to have lent their name to the area, Osowa Sień, which some interpret as "home under the aspens," reflecting their enduring connection to this land.

Step by Step, a Story of Revival

Today, the village blends historic and modern buildings, including two restored classicist manors and our castle. All three are private residences, though the castle opens its doors to overnight guests, offering a unique stay that feels like a home away from home.

The village's oldest structure, a Gothic church from the 1300s, features 16th-century epitaph plates with the Ossowski crest. Stone and brick stables and cottages also contribute to Osowa Sień’s rich architectural heritage.

Rumors persist of a hidden tunnel linking the castle to the church's side altar, believed to date back to the Ossowski era, with only remnants remaining within the church’s structure.

But this isn’t the only story circulating in the village…

Leonie Ossowski

An exceptional writer

Leonie Ossowski (1925–2019, real name: Jolanthe von Brandenstein), the grandniece of Anna and Eugen von Seherr-Thoss and daughter of Lothar and Ruth von Brandenstein, was born in the castle in 1925. Drawing from her early years here, she built a celebrated literary career, known for her evocative storytelling and nuanced portrayal of life’s complexities. Her novels vividly capture the palace’s ambiance and historical undercurrents, shaped by her formative years before fleeing the Soviet advance in January 1945 while pregnant with her first child.

Her stories, rich with raw emotion and the daily rhythms of village and castle life, offer an authentic glimpse into the past. Today, her literary legacy lives on throughout the palace, with each guest apartment drawing inspiration from the characters, themes, and atmosphere of her novels—offering visitors a tangible connection to her work and the history that shaped it.

Among her most notable characters is Julianna Marszałek (1908–1983), a real-life figure whose story is deeply tied to the village and the castle. More than a herbalist, more than a healer, Julianna had a way of knowing things—things others couldn’t quite grasp but deeply respected. She seemed to tap into knowledge older than time—an understanding of plants, energies, and unseen forces. That’s why, we affectionately refer to her as the ‘Good Witch of Osowa Sien.'

Julianna is buried in the cemetery of the nearby Gothic church, just 400 meters (approximately 440 yards) from the castle. Her grave is still visited today, especially on her birthday (January 1) and the anniversary of her passing (August 30).

Julianna Marszałek

Julianna Marszałek entered the world legally blind and the contested child of a slapdash relationship—an inauspicious start that quickly became village gossip. Born on January 1, 1908, in a cramped settlement, she found her escape when her mother married the cobbler of Osowa Sien in 1918. They settled in a thatched-roof cottage on the village outskirts—close to the castle, yet far from prying eyes.

Loss came early. Her adoptive father died suddenly, her mother soon after, leaving Julianna to fend for herself. Independent, sharp, and impossibly attuned to the land, she became a trusted herbalist and healer. Villagers—German and Polish alike—turned to her when doctors failed, when livestock ailed, and when something unseen but sensed stirred in the village.

By the time Leonie Ossowski was born in the castle in 1925, Julianna—then 17—was already a known presence in Osowa Sien. Over the next two decades, her fierce independence and enigmatic aura left a lasting mark on the soon-to-be writer.

By 1945, as Leonie fled the Soviet advance, Julianna, at 37, was deeply woven into village life. Her wartime defiance became local legend—ringing the church bell alone to maintain order, confronting a Nazi officer in Fraustadt (now Wschowa) over unreported casualties.

When Leonie returned in the late 1970s, she rekindled her connection with Julianna, whose life became the foundation for characters in her later works, most notably Weichselkirschen (Sour Cherries) and its film adaptation.

Known as the “Good Witch of Osowa Sien,” Julianna’s life blurred the line between history, folklore, and survival. A quiet force who saw and knew things others didn’t.

Her grave rests in the cemetery of the nearby Gothic church, near the castle—still visited today, especially on her birthday (January 1) and the anniversary of her passing (August 30). Her story isn’t just one of resilience—it’s one of unwavering authenticity, quiet defiance, and a little bit of magic.

History

Architectural Legacy:
The Vision Behind The Palace at Osowa Sien