Kopice is a destination for travelers interested in architectural history, historic family memorials and archaeological evidence. The place brings together different periods: the church combines neoclassical architecture with older furnishings, the palace tells a story of alterations and later ruin, and the motte dates back to the late Middle Ages. Together with the mausoleum, these sites form a cultural and historical focus where sacred architecture, the history of the residence and family, and archaeological heritage can be distinguished from one another.

Parish Church: Construction Period and Older Furnishings

The Parish Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Kopice was built between 1802 and 1822 in the neoclassical style. The church retains a Regency pulpit from the first half of the 18th century and a painting of the Crucifixion dating from 1822. The furnishings thus reflect two periods: the pulpit predates the church building, while the altarpiece dates to the year of its completion. Those interested in church architecture and art can therefore consider the construction period and furnishings separately.

Palace and Historic Park

The palace in Kopice was originally built between 1783 and 1786 as a Neoclassical residence. From 1863, it underwent extensive alterations under the direction of Carl Lüdecke and later Carl Heidenreich. A fire in the late 1950s completely destroyed the palace; it subsequently fell into ruin. Its history therefore encompasses the original residence, its later transformation and its ruined state.

The former park also adds to the story of the palace. The romantic park included a pond, an artificial island, a Temple of Diana, and Greek and Chinese pavilions. It also contained artificial ruins of a “medieval” castle. These features were part of the park’s historic design and add a distinct perspective on the estate of the time to the palace’s architectural history.

Mausoleum and Motte

The Schaffgotsch family mausoleum in Kopice was built in the second half of the 19th century as a neoclassical structure in the form of a Greek temple. It became the burial place of Joanna Schaffgotsch in 1910 and Hans Ulrich Schaffgotsch in 1915. The temple form gives the building a clear architectural shape; the two burial dates also place it within the family’s history.

The late-medieval conical motte in Kopice offers a glimpse into a different period. As a significant archaeological monument, it provides insight into late-medieval residential and defensive structures. Its landform is clearly visible in the landscape; there are few comparable structures in Silesia. Unlike the church, palace and mausoleum, its focus is an archaeological landform and the insights it provides.

Explore Kopice by Bicycle

Official Bicycle Route No. 4 runs from Grodków to the area around the Nysa Kłodzka and through Kopice. On the section through the village, it passes the Schaffgotsch family mausoleum and the historic parish church. The route thus provides a direct link to two of the area’s cultural landmarks. If you plan to ride it, check the current route before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Sulisław, Grodków, Pisarzowice, Borkowice, Brzeg

For the broader travel overview: Brzeg.