Bolków Castle

Bolków Castle is the ruins of a medieval hilltop castle, situated on Castle Hill above the town of Bolków. It is one of the region's defensive architecture monuments, entered in the register of immovable heritage sites.

A castle on a cliff

Castle Hill, on which the building stands, rises to a height of 396 metres above sea level. On the side facing the Nysa Szalona river the slope drops away in a sheer ninety-metre cliff, while the gentler eastern slope is occupied by the town of Bolków itself. The castle covers an area of 7,600 square metres and belongs to the hilltop castle type, built on hard-to-reach elevations for better defence.

The oldest window in Poland

A window dated to 1289-1290 survives on the castle grounds, regarded as the oldest surviving window in Poland. A distinctive feature of the site is also the round Beak Tower, 25 metres high, with a unique shape that sets it apart from typical defensive towers of the period.

Entry in the register of historic monuments

The castle is dated to the end of the 13th century and built of stone. It has been entered in the register of immovable heritage sites, its function in the register listed as a castle. The site lies within the town of Bolków, in Jawor County.

Nearby

In Bolków itself, right beside the castle, the Bolków Castle Museum and the Angel Fountain can be found. In the surrounding area it is also worth seeing other strongholds of the region, including Świny Castle and Niesytno Castle, while lovers of views can head to Józkowa Góra.

Practical information

• Address: Bolków, Jawor County.
• Hours: according to the official website the castle is open Monday to Friday 9am-4:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays 9am-5:30pm, and Wednesdays 9am-3:30pm with free admission that day - hours should be checked before a visit, as they may change seasonally.
• Accessibility: information on accessibility for people with disabilities is published on the castle's official website.
• What to expect: the ruins of a hilltop castle on a rocky elevation, the round Beak Tower and the oldest surviving window in Poland; part of the castle may be temporarily inaccessible due to conservation work - worth checking before arrival.