Ksiaz Castle

Walbrzych, Poland

Książ Castle, the third largest castle in Poland, is located on a majestic rock cliff by the side of the Pelcznica River. Beautifully surrounded by the forest within a 315500 actre nature reserve, at the height of 395m above sea level, castle is often called ‘the Pearl of Lower Silesia’. Such location corresponding to the size of the building is very rare in Europe.

Książ (in German Fürstenstein) was built in 1288-1292 under Bolko I the Strict (Duke of Świdnica and Jawor) after the original fortification was destroyed in the year 1263 by Ottokar II of Bohemia. Duke Bolko II of Świdnica died in 1368 without having children with his wife Agnes von Habsburg. After her death in the year 1392 King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia obtained the castle. In 1401 Janko from Chociemice obtained the castle.

The Bohemian Hussites occupied the castle between 1428-1429. In the year 1464 Birka from Nasiedla obtained the castle from the Bohemian crown. He sold it to Hans von Schellendorf. This second castle was destroyed in 1482 by Georg von Stein. In the year 1509 Konrad I von Hoberg obtained the castle hill. The Hochberg family owned the castle until the 1940s.

Jan Henryk XV carried the the biggest development in the Castle’s history. Between 1908 – 1923 north and west renaissance extensions were being developed. Castle’s tower has reached the height of 47m and was covered with the domed helmet and the lantern. Also the Castle’s gardens took its current shape.

The castle was seized by the Nazi government in 1944 because the Prince of Pless Hans Heinrich XVII had moved to England in 1932 and became a British citizen, also his brother Count Alexander of Hochberg who was a Polish citizen and the owner of Schloss Pleß (today Pszczyna Castle), had joined the Polish army. Fürstenstein castle was a part of the Project Riese (a construction project of Nazi Germany, consisting of seven underground structures located in the Owl Mountains) until 1945 when it was occupied by the Red army. All artifacts were stolen or destroyed.

Up to 1956 the castle was decaying the the restoration took place between 1956-1974.

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Founded: 1288-1292
Category: Castles and fortifications in Poland

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Al Dr (3 months ago)
Ksiaz Castle in Poland is an awe-inspiring gem! The castle's rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking views make it an unforgettable experience. With over 400 rooms and a sprawling 316 hectares of grounds, Ksiaz Castle is a true marvel. Its grandeur and charm captivate visitors, while the surrounding landscape adds to the enchantment. A must-visit destination!
Lusia Pi (3 months ago)
Did both the castle and the underground tour. As non-Polish speakers, we're very impressed by the audioguide. Works seamlessly as you walk through the castle and exhibition. Very much intrigued by the family history and a lot of information is provided. We spent hours, so make sure to have enough time if you want to visit other sights as well. Also with the underground tour, we didn't feel left out with the audioguide. All in all a very fun, informative day. Definitely worth a visit!
Leo Guide (4 months ago)
Książ Castle is the largest castle in the region of Silesia, and the third-largest in Poland behind Malbork Castle and Wawel Castle. In my opinion, it is a must-visit destination. Unfortunately, the interiors were destroyed by the Nazis during the WWII but parts of it were restored and available as part of the museum.
Valeria Drobot (4 months ago)
The price of the ticket is worth paying. Huge area to see. They gave an audio guide that automatically switches while you changing different halls. The audio guide is available in a few foreign languages. Parking is overpriced: next to Castle the price is 30 pln, further - 20 pln. And when you enter the castle there is a toilet with an entrance fee - 5 pln, which in my humble opinion should be included in the price of the ticket. Overall it is a great place to spend a day with a family or loved ones.
KJK Ravi Teja (4 months ago)
We just visited the castle from outside as we didn't have enough time to go for a tour. There's an individual or combined ticket for castle, palm house and the undergrounds. Car parking is not free after the security guard, unless you're visiting the castle hotel. You can park it in the open parking space before the security guard for free. There is an ice cream shop near the castle which is a necessity in hot summers. Not sure if there's any restaurant though. There's a small vertical sprinkler through which you can go to refresh yourself in hot weather. You can visit Viewpoint too, which is a small walk type trek for 15 minutes. There's a fresh corn stick seller, each for 8 PLN. You can bring park stuff (mats, food, play items etc) also for relaxation. There are a lot of gardens and you can sit anywhere. The place is definitely worth a day trip.
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