Potocki Palace in Lublin

Potocki Palace is an 18th century residence built with Baroque features including curved lines, ornate window frames, and detailed exterior decorations. The three-story structure contains large interior rooms with halls and smaller chambers that display historical furnishings.

The palace was built in 1719 by Jerzy Potocki as a family residence for a wealthy magnate. Over the following 100 years its purpose shifted from a cavalry barracks to a prison facility before finally becoming an educational institution.

The palace takes its name from the Potocki family who built it, reflecting how wealthy magnates expressed their power through grand residences. Today the Catholic University of Lublin uses it for academic purposes, keeping the building alive as a living workspace.

The location is easily reached on foot from central Lublin and entry is through the main gate at the front. Visitors should know that only certain areas may be open to the public on some days since the building remains actively used by the university.

The building served as a prison for around 30 years and locals affectionately called it 'the old jail' because of its extended use as a detention facility. This period left marks on the local memory and shaped how people spoke about the place for generations afterward.