About the castle
Grodziec Castle is a fortress built on the Grodziec Hill (389 metres), which is a prominent, isolated hill in the northern part of the Kaczawskie Foothills, visible from a great distance. It has a relative height of about 100 metres. From a geological perspective, it is built of nephelinites – volcanic rocks with a composition similar to basalt, which formed approximately 32 million years ago during the early phase of volcanic activity in the Kaczawskie Foothills.
History
At the summit of the hill are the ruins of a castle – one of the larger ones in terms of surface area in the Sudetes. The oldest written mention of the castle dates back to 1155. Since 1470, it belonged to Duke Frederick I of Legnica, who expanded it for his own residence. The preserved spatial layout of the castle dates back to that period. During the Thirty Years’ War, the castle was captured by Imperial troops under the command of Wallenstein and subsequently set on fire.
During the Romantic period, another attempt at reconstruction was made, and Grodziec Castle became a tourist attraction. The reconstruction continued in the early 20th century. After World War II, the castle was abandoned, and in 1951, it burned down. Partial reconstruction was carried out in the 1960s. Today, the residential buildings and the former castle chapel are open to visitors, and there is an observation terrace on the tower. Tournaments and large events take place at the castle. To the south of the upper castle is the lower castle, surrounded by a wall with several towers and a freestanding, ruined cylindrical tower in the southeastern corner.
At the foot of the Grodziec Hill, there is avillage with the same name.
Description: Piotr Migoń
