The Palace in Choczewo

The first mention of the village dates back to May 26, 1348, when it was called Choczischow. In the same year, the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Heinrich IV Dusemer von Arfberg, granted the villages of Choczewo and Strzeszewo Jesce according to Magdeburg law, with the obligation of duties also according to Polish law. The first known owner of Choczewo belonged to the influential Pomeranian family, the lords of Świńcz near Pruszcz Gdański. In the 15th century, Choczewo was listed among the estates of the Kashubian lords. From 1500 to 1742, the estate, consisting of four parts, belonged to the noble family of von Jatzkow. A feudal patent from the Pomeranian duke in 1527 confirmed the ownership of the estate by the von Jatzkow family. Georg Albrecht von Jatzkow, recorded in the court book from Gdańsk in 1711, was the owner of Choczewo, Łętowo, Gniewino, Gniewinko, and Dąbrówka. In 1744, three parts of Choczewo were sold to Lieutenant Georg Friedrich von Diezelsky. One part remained in the hands of the von Fölckersamb family, which included Choczewko and Słajkowo. In 1876, Georg von Dziezelsky bought the fourth part of Choczewo. The entire property remained in the ownership of the von Diezelsky family until 1945. The palace and park complex includes an Art Nouveau palace surrounded by a spacious, well-kept park, with an alley of monumental chestnut trees. The palace was built at the end of the 19th century. Despite the modesty of the facade, semi-circular projections on the gable walls and a mansard roof give it character. After the nationalization, the palace was adapted for educational purposes, and part of the park was designated for sports fields and a stadium. The park is much older than the palace, and in the past, it surrounded the manors of the Jackowski, Fölkersamb, and Wejher families. The palace outbuilding and part of the surrounding wall have been preserved. Some of the palace interiors are accessible on weekdays, and the park is open to the public.