[ +- ] Bagatela history
The written records note (from the diary of Elżbieta Radziwiłł, sister of Ferdynand and Karol Radziwiłł – later owners of the palace) that the name "Bagatela" dates back to a time when the father of the heir's wife, Michał Biernacki of Czekanów, intending to build a manor for his daughter and son-in-law, declared that such an undertaking was a "bagatelle" for him.
The original residence was a single-story manor with a two-story central part. The building was situated, utilizing the natural conditions of a forest clearing, and the park was gradually composed through new plantings.
The oval garden salon with a view of the park, surrounded by the adjacent forest, was founded on the plan of a transverse ellipse, with modest interiors adjoining it, except for the southeast corner cabinet, which was founded on a plan similar to a circle and enriched with niches cut into the wall. The side wings were single-story, and each section was covered by its own roof.
Since the construction of the manor, work on establishing the park also commenced. The original spatial arrangement is unknown. Presumably, the manor was situated, utilizing the natural conditions of the forest clearing, and the park was gradually expanded through new plantings. At that time, there was likely only one road/forest path from Czekanów to the driveway in front of the palace, and presumably, at the intersection of this road with the access road to the building, the entrance gate with an unknown current architectural form was already placed.
The property remained in the hands of the Biernacki family until 1877, passing through successive generations.
In 1877, the property was acquired by Ferdinand Prince Radziwiłł of the Trąby coat of arms. He intended to rebuild the manor into a hunting palace but only gathered materials, and in 1882, he handed it over to his brother, Karol. In July 1884, after the completion of the work, Karol Radziwiłł moved in with his son Władysław, and later, Karol's sister, Elżbieta.
She writes in her diary: "The house at Bagatela was intended for him [Karol] and his wife, the late Mrs. Renia from the Lubomirski Radziwiłł family, who, not having waited for the completion of the works around the palace, never lived in it. The old house, inhabited by the Biernacki family, was rebuilt. The hall was decorated with stucco by the Wrocław sculptor Bessink, above the first floor rose mansard rooms, and in front of the hall, a semi-circular conservatory with a terrace and stairs leading to the garden was arranged."
For Prince Ferdynand Radziwiłł, the reconstruction of the manor began in 1879, according to the project of the well-known Poznań architect Zygmunt Gorgolewski. Probably, the intention to rebuild included only the preparation of the project, perhaps the purchase of necessary materials, and the start of work because Prince Ferdynand Radziwiłł held the Bagatela estate only until 1882. In 1882, Ferdinand Prince Radziwiłł handed over the Czekanów and Bagatela estate to Karol Radziwiłł, Elizabeth Radziwiłłówna's brother.
In July 1884, after the completion of the work, Karol moved in with his son Władysław, "accompanied only by Fr. Edmund Radziwiłł, later Benedict, the administrator of the Ostrów parish."
Until 1906, Karol Prince Radziwiłł was the owner of the estate and resident of Bagatela. After Karol's death in 1906, his son, Prince Władysław Jerzy Radziwiłł, took over the property. In 1908, Elżbieta Radziwiłłówna transported furniture and other interior elements (artistic craftsmanship, paintings, and sculptures) from Berlin to the Bagatela palace from her parents' former home. In 1914, these were again transported to Berlin due to concerns about theft or confiscation. In 1909, Władysław additionally furnished the palace with hunting trophies brought from his African expedition.
During World War I, "BAGATELA" served Władysław and his family, including Elżbieta Radziwiłłówna, as a place for short stays. The palace was permanently supervised by the caretaker Mosiński living in Czekanów. The park and palace remained untouched until the end of World War I.
According to the account of Mrs. Józefa Szczepańska, whose parents worked in the palace, during World War II, the relationship between Prince Radziwiłł and the occupying authorities was correct, although he was under observation. German troops did not station in the estate buildings; only after the bombing of German cities were families
