Świerklaniec was famous for its palace (Polish: Zamek w Świerklańcu, German: Schloss Neudeck), a former residence of the Henckel von Donnersmarck noble family, when the vast and brilliantly designed castle complex was commonly known as Upper Silesian Versailles. Both the Old and the New Castle of Świerklaniec were set ablaze by the Red Army in 1945 and demolished in 1961. The extended castle grounds, the Cavalier Palace guest house, the Donnersmarck funerary chapel and several auxiliary buildings are preserved.