Twierdza Kłodzko

About the museum

The first mentions of the stronghold on today’s Fortress Hill (369 m above sea level) date from the 10th century: the Czech chronicler Cosmas described it under the year 981. In 1300 the stronghold became a representative residential castle of the Kłodzko County, and in the 15th and 16th centuries two bastions, north and south, were built. In 1557 the architect Lorenzo Kirschke built the Lower Castle with a ring of earthworks, and in 1620 the Mały Szaniec (Little Redoubt) was erected on the south-eastern side.

In 1622 the Austrians captured the town and the fortress, and after the Thirty Years’ War the castle was extended repeatedly. After it passed to Prussia in 1742, under Frederick the Great, the fortress was radically expanded and enjoyed its greatest splendour. In 1807 the fortress was besieged by Napoleonic troops.

Today visitors learn the history of the site from the 10th to the 20th century on the upper route, which offers a panorama of the town together with exhibitions, and in the network of countermine galleries: an underground system of corridors beneath the battle slope, about seven kilometres long. The temperature underground is constant at 8–10°C. The Fundacja Rozwoju Twierdzy Kłodzko (Kłodzko Fortress Development Foundation) develops the site, including in the project “Fortress without Borders II” with the Czech town of Josefov.

Highlights

• Upper route with a panorama of Kłodzko
• Labyrinth of countermine galleries
• Upper Castle, keep and bastions
• Exhibition in the Alarm Bastion
• Night tours with a historical show

Permanent exhibitions

• Górna trasa zwiedzania – A route through the upper part of the fortress, with the history of the site from the 10th to the 20th century, a view over the town of Kłodzko, and exhibitions and displays.
• Chodniki kontrminowe (labirynt) – An underground defensive system about seven kilometres long, which shows how the mine chambers were built and how the galleries worked.
• Bastion Alarmowy – An exhibition in the casemates, being expanded with multimedia presentations showing the fortification at a time when the castle still towered over the town.

Operated by

Fundacja Rozwoju Twierdzy Kłodzko

Admission & discounts

Individual tickets apply to visitors touring on their own or in groups of up to 15 people; they can be bought at the ticket office or online, without a booking. The price of the labyrinth-only ticket is not stated on the website.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the historic character of the site (cobbled paths, stairs, narrow passages), visiting by wheelchair is difficult; only the main courtyard is accessible. The underground section is not accessible to wheelchairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

For children and school pupils, a live history lesson, “A Game about the Fort”, with elements of a field game is available from April to October; there are also ceramics workshops (PLN 45–55 per person).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum’s website lists a souvenir shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The fortress organises team-building and corporate events (e.g. “Become a Recruit”, from PLN 80), campfire gatherings and a shooting range.

Plan your visit