La Napoule Art Foundation visits Książ Castle

In December, the French team of La Napoule Art Foundation was welcomed at Książ Castle in Poland, at the invitation of the Princess Daisy von Pless Foundation.
This visit is part of an ongoing dialogue between the two foundations, connected by a shared history and a common commitment to the memory of places and their transmission.

Książ Castle, a site shaped by European history

Founded in the 13th century and transformed over the centuries, Książ Castle is today one of the largest heritage complexes in Poland. Former residence of the Hochberg family, it has witnessed major political and social transformations in Central Europe, bearing the marks of an aristocratic past, significant historical upheavals, and profound architectural changes.

Through its monumental scale and the complexity of its history, Książ stands as an emblematic site reflecting contemporary challenges related to the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage.

Princess Daisy von Pless, a singular European figure

Born Mary Theresa Olivia Cornwallis-West in 1873 in Wales, Princess Daisy von Pless was one of the most remarkable figures of the European aristocracy in the early 20th century.
Wife of Hans Heinrich XV, Prince of Pless, she lived at Książ Castle, where she distinguished herself through her independence of spirit, social commitment, and exceptional sense of hospitality.

Actively involved in social and humanitarian initiatives, particularly during the First World War, Daisy von Pless embodied a vision of heritage as a place of life, responsibility, and connection, beyond its purely representative dimension.

Sharing practices and on-the-ground realities

The visit gave rise to rich exchanges of professional practices between the teams of both institutions.
Building maintenance, conservation, day-to-day management, public reception, and the organization of cultural activities were at the heart of the discussions, enriched by the difference in scale between the two castles, Książ being particularly impressive in its scope.

These exchanges highlighted distinct operational realities, while revealing shared concerns regarding the transmission, maintenance, and future of heritage sites.

Villa Marguerite, a living link between Książ and La Napoule

This dialogue had already taken shape last October, during the visit to La Napoule by the President of the Princess Daisy de Pless Foundation, Mateusz Mykytyszyn, and his team.

A deeply emotional moment, this visit recalled the depth of the historical ties linking the two sites.

A friend and neighbor of the Clews, founders of the Château de la Napoule, Daisy de Pless sold them Villa Marguerite in the 1920s, now fully integrated into the Château’s estate.

Named in tribute to Daisy’s first name, the villa now plays a central role in the mission of La Napoule Art Foundation, welcoming nearly sixty artists in residence each year in an environment conducive to long-term creation.

An open dialogue

The visit to Książ Castle thus forms part of a dynamic of reciprocal exchanges, set to continue.
Further meetings and visits are already being considered in order to extend this dialogue around the history of the sites, their enhancement, and contemporary heritage practices.

La Napoule Art Foundation warmly thanks the teams of Książ Castle and the Princess Daisy von Pless Foundation – and in particular Mateusz Mykytyszyn and Dorota Karolewska – for the quality of their welcome and the richness of the exchanges.

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