Gorzanów Castle

Gorzanów Castle is a historic castle complex in Kłodzko County, one of the larger residences of the Kłodzko region, with a turbulent history going back to the Middle Ages.

From a medieval stronghold to a palace

The first, medieval castle stood north of the present building. It was destroyed during the Hussite Wars, and its remains were demolished in 1804. A new palace on the site where it still stands today began to be built around 1573.

Rebuilding in the Baroque style

It was expanded to its present size between 1653 and 1657 at the commission of Count Johann Friedrich von Herberstein, married since 1659 to Maria Maximiliana von Annenberg. The works were carried out by Wawrzyniec Nicelo and Andrea Carove. A further rebuilding took place in 1735, and between 1900 and 1906 the water and sewage systems were modernised and the facade decorations enriched.

Architecture

The residence is kept in the South German Renaissance style with Baroque elements. The building was erected on a rectangular plan around an inner courtyard, and three of its facades are decorated with sgraffito.

Post-war history and current condition

In 1945 the estate was nationalised. From the 1960s onwards the building fell into ruin. Since 2012 the renovation has been carried out by the Gorzanów Palace Foundation, and part of the building still requires repair.

Nearby

A few kilometres from Gorzanów lies Bystrzyca Kłodzka with its own monuments, including the Phillumeny Museum in Bystrzyca Kłodzka and the pillory on the market square. In the same area, in Ołdrzychowice Kłodzkie, stands the palace complex, worth visiting on a trip to these parts.

Practical information

• The castle is located in the village of Gorzanów in Kłodzko County, within the castle complex that serves as the village's landmark.
• The building is undergoing renovation, so before your visit it is worth checking with the managing foundation whether and to what extent the castle is open to visitors.
• Because of ongoing works and, in places, poor technical condition, you should not enter the interiors on your own outside the designated route.