Meet Marianna, a Woman Who Paved the Way

The brave Duchess who perused her own happiness and growth in the realities of XIX century, also dedicating her life to the growth of Lower Silesia region

MariannaPalace of Marianne Orange-Nassau in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

Marianna Orańska or Wilhelmina Frederika Louise Charlotte

Marianne was born on May 24, 1810 in Berlin. She was a Dutch princess, the youngest daughter of King of the Netherlands, William I of Orange and his wife - Frederica Luisa of Prussia

Pyrus communis ‘Olivier de Serres’ (c.2015) by Pearl BostockGarden Museum

Ever since she was a a child, she provoked stories and anecdotes. The pear variety Prinzessin Marianne (also known as Salisbury or Gold Pear) was named in her honour.

MariannaPalace of Marianne Orange-Nassau in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

The relationships

Her engagement to the former Swedish prince Gustav was cancelled. Marianna was married to a close relative, that was, one year older uncle Albrecht of Prussia. The wedding took place in 1830. the marriage did not turn out to be idyllic.

She had five children

However, there were betrayals and Marianna, to the court's surprise, left him and got pregnant with a new partner. So, she was excluded from the life of the Prussian elite. She experienced a lot of unpleasantness, her contact with children and staying in the country was limited.

Fountain of the Palace in the courtyardPalace of Marianne Orange-Nassau in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

The duchess owned properties in Lower Silesia

She had the so-called Strońsko key: part of the Bialskie Mountains and the Śnieżnik Massif. She ran a lively business there. She built roads, workplaces, palaces, churches. She also dealt with the development of beautiful mountain areas for the flourishing tourism in the Sudetes

MountainsPalace of Marianne Orange-Nassau in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

The considerable heritage of Marianna Orańska is an interesting cultural and tourist value to the historical Lower Silesia, and the foreign part of the region known as České Slezsko.

MountainsPalace of Marianne Orange-Nassau in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

Local governments created the Trail of Princess Marianna of Orange. It includes attractions in the area with which Marianna was associated, with particular emphasis on those that she created or that were available thanks to the activities of the princess.

Palace of Marianne Orange-NassauPalace of Marianne Orange-Nassau in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

They are for, among others shelters, churches, palaces and palaces, manors, rocks, and other facilities. 

Palace of Marianne Orange-NassauPalace of Marianne Orange-Nassau in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

A special monument in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

A real pearl - is Marianna Orańska's palace. The project was carried out by the eminent architect, Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The palace was built over  dozens of years. Sadly, it was finished  after the duchess death. It is one of the greatest attractions of the region..

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