Grodziec Castle

Grodziec Castle stands on the summit of a basalt, post-volcanic hill 389 metres above sea level, in the municipality of Zagrodno, in Złotoryja County. The stronghold grew out of the defensive stronghold of the Bobrzanie tribe, and its history goes back to the 12th century.

From the Bobrzanie stronghold to a ducal castle

The first mentions of a stronghold on this site come from a bull of Pope Hadrian IV from 1155 and from a document of 1175, when the owner was Duke Bolesław I the Tall. Between 1296 and 1301 the castle was expanded by Duke Bolko I. Over the following centuries it changed hands repeatedly, its owners including Duke Bolesław III the Wasteful, the knight Budziwój of Niedźwiedzice and Chojnów, and the Dukes of Legnica Frederick I and Frederick II.

Renaissance rebuilding and a fire

Between 1522 and 1524 the castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style under the direction of Wendelin Rosskopf of Zgorzelec. In September 1633 a large part of the building was destroyed by fire, and earlier, during the Hussite Wars, the castle had been captured and plundered. After the 1633 fire the building was partially repaired until the 1670s.

Successive owners into the 20th century

The castle was later held by, among others, Emperor Leopold I, Count Walter von Gallas, Baron Hans von Frankenberg and Field Marshal Friedrich Leopold von Gessler. From 1800 the owner was Count Hans Heinrich VI von Hochberg, and from 1823 Wilhelm Christian Benecke. Between 1899 and 1945 the castle belonged to the von Dirksen family, Willibald and his son Herbert. Between 1906 and 1908 the building was restored by architect Bodo Ebhardt.

Layout of the castle

The complex consists of the upper castle and the outer bailey, together covering an area of about 270 by 140 metres. The most important elements include the main palace, known as the palatium, the north tower, and a massive square-plan keep, six storeys high, measuring sixteen by twenty-six metres.

The castle today

Grodziec is open to visitors as a tourist attraction, entered in the register of historic monuments on 11 May 1951 and again on 28 August 1959. The Piast Castles Trail runs past the castle. Outdoor events are held on the grounds, including a knights' tournament and a field game inspired by the Witcher saga.

Nearby

In the municipality of Zagrodno, like the castle itself, stands the 18th-century manor house in Zagrodno. In the area it is also worth seeing the palace in Iwiny and the baroque palace in Lubków, and lovers of castle ruins can additionally visit the castle ruin in Radziechów.

Practical information

• Municipality: Grodziec, Zagrodno commune, Złotoryja County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship
• The castle stands on the summit of a hill, with the access road and approach leading from the village of Grodziec
• Open to visitors, with outdoor events held on site; it is worth checking current opening hours before a visit