On our journey through Żagań, we encounter an incredible architectural monument, the "Widow's" Palace, which now serves as the seat of the Żagań City Office. It is located right at the Market Square, next to the church of Saints Peter and Paul and not far from the Ducal Palace, which we also describe on odkryjlubuskie.online.
The palace, known as the "Widow's," was built in 1793 by Christian W. Schultze under the commission of Duke Peter Biron of Courland (whose remains are in the evangelical church tower in Żagań, described on our site) for his wife. It was later used by the ducal land office and currently functions as the Municipal Office.
The palace is referred to as the "Widow's" in Żagań because it was built by Duke Peter Biron of Courland as a residence for his wife, Dorothea von Medem. In European tradition, residences constructed specifically for widows were often called "widow's palaces" or "widow's residences."
It was a place where a widow could reside after her husband's death, enjoying peace and comfort in her later years.