“Petzold’s Retreat” in Lubniewice
The Eduard Petzold Foundation has become a partner of the project “Lubniewice Gallery of Personalities – Eduard Petzold”, led by the Lubniewica Historical Association. The initiative has received funding from the Act Locally programme of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, implemented by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland and the Act Locally Centre of the Association Land of Tourist Trails – Local Action Group. The total value of the project amounts to PLN 16,170. The funds will be used to build the “Petzold’s Retreat” viewing point in Lubniewice.
Project “Lubniewice Gallery of Personalities – Eduard Petzold”
The Foundation will contribute primarily with its expert input, including the preparation of the concept for “Petzold’s Retreat” – a viewpoint near Eduard Petzold’s family home, on the shore of Lake Lubiąż. The aim of the project is to promote knowledge about Eduard Petzold and to integrate the community around the care for local heritage. The creation of Petzold’s Retreat will provide a space combining educational, recreational and social functions. The initiative responds to the needs of residents, who – mostly descendants of post-war settlers – wish to build a shared tradition and rediscover the history of the place. The inspiration to honour Petzold arose during the earlier project “Lubniewice Gallery of Personalities – Walery Kozłow”, when residents suggested that the next figure should be this outstanding German landscape architect, the designer of numerous European park complexes and creator of the famous Muskau Park, born 210 years ago in Lubniewice (formerly Königswalde).
The implementation of the project will bring a range of benefits. The organisation of the lecture and preparation of educational materials will help spread knowledge about Petzold among residents and visitors, as well as attract enthusiasts of landscape architecture. The new green area will be a space fostering intergenerational integration, enhancing the town’s aesthetics, and providing a place for relaxation, walks, and landscape observation. The initiative will contribute to promoting local heritage, increasing the tourist appeal of the region, and may become a magnet for those interested in the history of garden art and outdoor recreation. The “Lubniewice Gallery of Personalities – Eduard Petzold” project is an investment in memory, culture, and community – linking the past with the future by commemorating an outstanding garden designer from Lubniewice.
Viewing Point “Petzold’s Retreat” in Lubniewice
The idea of commemorating Petzold was conceived in August 2024 during a meeting between Łukasz Przybylak, President of the Eduard Petzold Foundation, and Katarzyna Szczepańska, President of the Lubniewica Historical Association. The initial proposal to plant a memorial tree evolved into an ambitious project to create a pocket park. The design of the area indicated by the Mayor of Lubniewice, Radosław Sosnowski, as well as the name “Petzold’s Retreat”, was authored by Łukasz Przybylak, President of the Eduard Petzold Foundation.
The concept envisages the creation of a pocket park with a viewing point, harmoniously integrated into the natural surroundings and paying tribute to the design philosophy of its patron. The central feature of the park will be a granite bench, replicating the historic benches from Muskauer Park, including those along the local “Petzold Path”. The bench, made of three blocks of bush-hammered granite, will be positioned at a carefully chosen spot. The composition will be complemented by plantings of perennials, shrubs and trees, as well as natural elements – stones and boulders echoing the post-glacial topography of the region, and a tree stump symbolising both the process of succession in nature and generational change among people.
The viewing point will be connected to the existing promenade along Lake Lubiąż by a permeable-surface path. Its design is based on Petzold’s historical guidelines as set out in his work Die Landschaftsgärtnerei…. The path’s edging will be constructed from natural elements such as wooden stakes and willow/hazel. The entire arrangement is intended to be as environmentally neutral as possible: only natural building materials such as stone and wood will be used, and the plants for the landscaping will come exclusively from local suppliers in and around Lubniewice.
The pocket park is to be created thanks to pro bono activities of non-governmental organisations, financial support from the local authorities, and the involvement of Lubniewice residents.
The planting design assumes a free, naturalistic arrangement. Yews and snowberries will form the backdrop for more decorative species such as rhododendrons, viburnums and forsythias. Among the perennials, woodland ferns, bergenias, hostas and heucheras will predominate. Two pedunculate oaks – a species particularly valued by Petzold – will frame the bench compositionally.
The location of the viewing point is not accidental. Positioned on the slope of an escarpment, it offers views of three characteristic features of the Lake Lubiąż landscape:
- Central view: towards Lake Lubiąż and its distinctive headland.
- Western view: towards the bay and the prominent feature of the high lake shore.
- Eastern view: towards the silhouette of the historic palace of the von Waldow und Reitzenstein family.
The visual connection with the palace and the old palace park in Lubniewice also has a symbolic dimension – Adolph Friedrich von Waldow was one of Eduard Petzold’s godfathers. The deliberate framing of views used in the design reflects the key principles of the famous landscape architect’s practice.
Once completed, the “Petzold’s Retreat” viewing point in Lubniewice will become the first place of remembrance dedicated to Eduard Petzold in Poland and the fourth in Europe, joining sites in the Netherlands (Twickel) and Germany (Bad Muskau).
Partners and Sponsors
The project will be carried out thanks to the commitment of volunteers and the support of donors. Volunteers will gather on 18 October 2025 to jointly bring the park project to life. The granite bench is being funded by Strzegom Granit Sp. z o.o. Cooperation with the Strzegom quarry also has a symbolic dimension – Petzold implemented park projects in the Strzegom area, including in Mrowiny (Conradswaldau) and probably in Morawa (Muhrau). Other sponsors of the initiative include Hotel Woiński & SPA in Lubniewice and Bosch Car Service Juruć in Krzeszyce.
The Eduard Petzold Foundation has prepared, free of charge, the complete design documentation for the viewing point, as well as the content for promotional materials accompanying the event. In addition, the Foundation designed an enamel commemorative plaque, which is to be installed at the entrance to the pocket park at a later stage of its development.
Project Leader
Project Partners
- Eduard Petzold Foundation
- Lubniewice Commune