Contemporary Functions of East Prussian Palaces and Manors in the Context of Sustainable Heritage Tourism Development

This article examines the contemporary functions of historical rural residences of former East Prussia, located in present-day Poland, and identifies the opportunities and barriers related to their potential role in developing sustainable tourism products. The discussion is framed by the concept of sustainable heritage tourism. Both historical and current uses of East Prussian palaces and manors are analyzed, showing that only around 11% are currently engaged in tourism, while over 30% remain abandoned or unused. The main barriers limiting the development of sustainable tourism products based on this heritage were also considered, including the condition of the residences, their ownership status, their peripheral location in relation to tourist traffic centers, and the lack of network-based management approaches. At the same time, possibilities for their tourist activation are indicated, referring to the principles of the concept of sustainable heritage tourism.