Recently, the legend of Czarny Krzysztof was revived by a planned meeting with activists from Fundacja Skala-Classic, which is working to restore the former glory of the palace and park complex in Skała near Lwówek Śląski, where Czarny Krzysztof supposedly had his headquarters.
The palace in Skała is inseparably associated with the figure of Czarny Krzysztof, whose story continues to arouse the curiosity of regionalists and historians.
Czarny Krzysztof – the Lower Silesian Robin Hood
According to the story, Czarny Krzysztof owed his nickname not to the color of his armor, but to his complexion. In our tale of the Lower Silesian Robin Hood, we will go back to the 15th century and the court of Ludwik II Brzeski. During his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Duke Ludwik II is said to have bought a Black slave whom he brought to the castle in Brzeg. The young man supposedly won the duke’s favor and, growing up at the castle, learned local customs and language.
According to legend, the court was full of intrigue, jealousy and difficult relationships. At some point—whether because of injustice or a conflict with those around him—the Black young man had to flee and settle in the surrounding forests.
It was in the Lower Silesian forests that his transformation took place and, as the folk tale told to encourage the poor has it, Czarny Krzysztof gathered around him a group of people with similar fates. Among the oaks and spruces, they supposedly had their secret headquarters, where freedom, loyalty and the joy of a simple life were more valuable than treasures. At least for a while.
Legend has it that Czarny Krzysztof became a terror to the wealthy and scoundrels who used their power to oppress the weak. He attacked caravans and the residences of the powerful, taking their valuables and then sharing the spoils with poorer residents of nearby villages. His actions resembled the exploits of famous outlaws: Robin Hood of Sherwood and Janosik of the Tatra Mountains.
The same legend says that Czarny Krzysztof drove the owners of the palace in Skała away and made it his headquarters, where he hid the treasures he had stolen.
Although today we can find neither traces of the forest headquarters nor the treasures, the story of Czarny Krzysztof has survived in local tales. It reminds us of the profound wish of poor and oppressed people for someone to appear who would care for their welfare and stand up for them.
The True History of the Palace in Skała Near Lwówek Śląski
The palace in Skała, whose history dates back to the 14th century, is a fascinating example of a residence that passed into the hands of various families over the centuries, from the Silesian Piasts to European aristocracy.
It is worth emphasizing the role in this history of Piotr Biron (1724–1800), the son of Empress Maria Iwanowna’s favorite, and his family—especially Dorota Biron—in shaping the fate of the palace in Skała.
The palace owed its remarkable heyday, however, to another owner: Prince Konstantyn von Hohenzollern-Hechingen, who turned it into a center of musical life, welcoming renowned composers and artists. He transformed the palace in Skała into a dynamic center of musical life that equaled, and even surpassed, Wrocław itself at the time. Attention! Wagner, Berlioz and Liszt were guests at the palace in Skała. That is why comparing Skała to the Silesian Weimar seems entirely justified.
In the 19th century, the residence welcomed the highest-ranking representatives of aristocratic and ruling families, including Prussian Queen Luisa, King Frederick William IV and Prussian Emperor Wilhelm I.
A Palace on the Edge of a Cliff
The palace is breathtakingly situated. The white, three-story, horseshoe-shaped building, with a courtyard opening to the west, was erected on the edge of a cliff using a natural cave. Classical and restrained in form, and therefore elegant, its structure captivated connoisseurs with the beauty of its architecture.
A semicircular portico with a viewing balcony dominated the eastern façade, offering a panoramic view of the Sudeten Foreland. The romantic English-style park, crossed by picturesque paths among mature trees and impressive tulip trees and London plane trees, formed an integral part of the estate. The terraces in front of the eastern façade were inspired by the Villa d’Este (a villa in Tivoli near Rome, a masterpiece of architecture inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List—the editor) and completed the whole, creating a harmonious combination of architecture and landscape.
The palace in Skała remained intact until the end of World War II. Unfortunately, the postwar history of the palace was marked by progressive deterioration, representing a tremendous loss to Silesia’s cultural heritage.
The hope of restoring the palace in Skała to its former glory lies with Fundacja Skala-Classic, established in 2022, which is working to restore the palace and park complex. The foundation has not only managed to tidy the area around the palace and install new floors and ceilings, but has also brought together a group of people committed to the historic site, resulting in further cultural events.