Historic sites
a medieval defensive tower from the 13th century, the tallest of the surviving town towers of Lwówek Śląski
Historic sites
a Renaissance castle from the 16th century built by Ramphold Talkenberg, today a Baptist church centre
Historic sites
a Renaissance bastion designed by an Italian architect, adapted to firearms and artillery
Historic sites
an 18th-century residence of the von Schmettau family on a hill, destroyed by fire in 2006
Historic sites
a Neo-Gothic villa from 1880 built to resemble a medieval defensive castle
Historic sites
a town fortification tower predating 1261, currently being renovated as a future tourist information point
Historic sites in Lwówek Śląski: town towers, a bastion, a Renaissance castle, a Baroque palace and a neo-Gothic villa. See what is open to view and what is under repair.
These structures survive best. The Lubań Gate Tower dates from the 13th century and is the tallest surviving town tower, standing in the western part of the old town, not far from the Church of the Assumption, and listed as a monument since 1954. The Archonatti Bastion is a Renaissance bastion from the mid-16th century designed by Hieronim Archonatti the Elder of Milan. It is about 30 metres long and 9 wide, and the filled-in moat means it now rises only about 3 metres. The Łupinowa Tower belongs to the inner ring of walls begun before 1261, but it is currently being renovated.
In Płakowice, a part of Lwówek Śląski. The Płakowice Castle is a 16th-century Renaissance building: Ramphold Talkenberg began the larger castle in 1550, to a design by Franciszek Parr. Work on the main building lasted until 1558 and the finishing touches until 1563. Today it houses a Christian centre and is still being renovated. On top of Wietrznik hill (393 m above sea level) stands the Wietrznik Palace from 1745, now largely a ruin. In the 18th century its owners set up a chamber concert hall there.
The Lwówek Little Castle is a villa on Kamienna street, finished in 1880 on the initiative of the owner of a nearby sandstone quarry. The brick building is neo-Gothic: crenellations along the roof gables, a cylindrical tower and small corner turrets. It looks like a medieval stronghold, though it was built as a home.
More towers and castles are on the castles in Lwówek Śląski page, and the buildings by style are in architecture. For the wider picture see historic sites in Lower Silesia, and for the town itself the Lwówek Śląski attractions page.
