Grodno Castle

Medals for sale in the courtyard!

Among the many castles located in Lower Silesia, Grodno Castle (German: Kynsberg, Kinsberg, Kinsburg) is worth noting. Grodno Castle is built at the top of Choina Hill (approx. 450 m above sea level) in the northern part of the Owl Mountains and rises above the valley of the Bystrzyca Świdnicka River (once known as the Silesian Valley). It is one of the most picturesquely situated castles in Silesia. On the hill there is a landscape reserve ‘Góra Choina’ (area 19.13 ha). The history of Grodno Castle dates back to ancient times. According to one legend, as early as 800 an English (?) knight established a quadrangular watchtower here. Further expansion was said to have been carried out by Duke Bolesław Wysoki, son of Ladislaus the Exile or Duke Bolek I the Severe. This information is not supported by any documents, but only lends the castle a certain mysteriousness. The first surviving document testifying to the existence of the castle dates from 1315. At that time, like almost the whole southern part of Lower Silesia, the castle belonged to the Duchy of Świdnica-Jawor, established in 1290.

Grodno Castle, built of stone, on an irregular ground plan, is perfectly adapted to the shape of the mountain top. It consists of the oldest part – the upper castle and the lower castle, which was built during the expansion in the 16th century, with farm buildings and a unique gate building decorated with sgraffito decoration depicting lions standing on their hind legs.