Siedlęcin Knight's Tower

The Siedlęcin Knight's Tower, also called the Ducal Tower, is a Gothic residential tower from the first half of the 14th century, built of stone for Duke Henry I of Jawor. Construction began around 1314 and was completed around 1315. The tower is one of the largest structures of its kind in Central Europe and has stood for over 700 years.

Layout and rebuilding

Originally the tower had four storeys: the two lower ones intended for utility purposes and the two upper ones for the owners. The building was remodelled in 1532 and 1575, when the top storey was added. It retains the oldest wooden ceilings in Poland.

Gothic paintings with the legend of Lancelot

Around 1346 wall polychromes were created on the third storey, in the Great Hall, using the al secco technique, that is, painted on dried plaster. The paintings refer to the legend of Sir Lancelot of the Lake, one of the Knights of the Round Table, and are the only medieval paintings on this subject preserved in situ anywhere in the world.

Later owners

After Duke Henry I, the tower was ruled by the widow of Bolko II, Duchess Agnes, until 1368. Later the venue passed into the hands of the knight Jenschin von Redern and his family, who held it until the mid-15th century. From 1732 to 1945 the tower belonged to the Schaffgotsch family. Since 2001 it has been owned by the "Chudów Castle" Foundation.

Conservation and research

Since 2006 successive conservation works have been carried out: in 2006 they covered the medieval paintings, in 2007 the walls of the floor, in 2008 the entrance portals, and in 2009 the roof over the connecting passage. In 2011 an exhibition presenting the results of archaeological research was opened. In 2025 research and documentation of the paintings were carried out.

Nearby

The Pilchowice Dam is nearby, and towards Jelenia Góra you can reach the Castle Gate Tower. In Cieplice it is worth seeing Schaffgotsch Palace in Cieplice and St John the Baptist's Church in Jelenia Góra-Cieplice.

Practical information

• Address: Długa 21, Siedlęcin
• The tower is open for visiting every day, in line with the visiting rules given on the website
• The venue lies on the Piast Castle Trail as well as on cycling and canoeing routes and the Sudetes Way of St James
• Current opening hours and the price list are worth checking on the website before your visit
• Contact: via the details given on the venue's website