Manor and Park in Orunia - History, Art, and Heritage of Gdańsk

The history of the manor in Gdańsk's Orunia dates back to the late 16th century, when it appeared on Berndt Friedrich's plan from 1599. In the 17th century, the estate passed into the hands of the mayor Bartłomiej Schachman, who turned it into a summer residence. The surrounding garden delighted with its variety of plants, waterfalls, flower beds, and plant labyrinths, and the manor itself served as a place for lavish feasts and concerts. Subsequent owners were the mayors of Gdańsk, Johann Zierenberg and Albrecht Groddeck. In 1698, the Polish king August II the Strong visited the residence, and in 1734, the Russian marshal Burkhard von Münnich was quartered here during the siege of Gdańsk. It is likely that the act of surrender of the city was signed at that time.

At the end of the 18th century, the estate was taken over by the mayor Johann Gottfried Reyger, whose relative, the botanist Gotfryd Reyger, established a botanical garden with exotic plants such as pineapples and citrus fruits on the estate. The year 1813 marked the end of its glory - the manor was destroyed during the Franco-Russian wars, and further damage was caused by a hurricane in 1818.

In 1816, the Gdańsk merchant Friedrich August Hoene rebuilt the manor, giving it a classical appearance that has survived to this day. The two-story building with a hipped roof was decorated with a portal supported by Tuscan columns, and a round driveway was arranged in front of it. Inside, wooden stairs and 19th-century fireplaces have survived. In 1917, the last owner, Emilia Hoene, donated the manor to the city. The manor complex in Orunia, which includes the manor house, outbuildings, an icehouse, and Oruń Park, remains an important historical and cultural heritage of Gdańsk. The park is accessible to residents and tourists, and its spaces are used for concerts and festivals.