Zamek Grodno

About the museum

Grodno Castle (German Kynsburg) stands on the summit of Choina Mountain, about 450 m above sea level, at the junction of the Wałbrzych and Owl Mountains, above the valley of the Bystrzyca Świdnicka. The first preserved document mentioning the castle dates from 1315, when it belonged to the Duchy of Świdnica–Jawor, and its task was to secure the trade route running through the valley. In 1392 the castle, together with the whole duchy, passed to the Bohemian Crown. In the 15th century it was the seat of robber knights, and from 1465 it belonged to the Czettritz family.

In the 16th century, under Maciej and Jerzy von Logau, the castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, and a lower courtyard was added with bastions, a gate, a bakery and a bathhouse. During the Thirty Years' War it was seized by the Swedes; in 1689 a fire destroyed the tower after a lightning strike; and in 1774 the castle ceased to be a magnate residence and began to fall into ruin. Before its demolition it was saved in 1823 by the Wrocław professor Johann Gustav Büsching.

Since 2008 the owner of the castle has been the commune of Walim, which has entrusted management to the Centre for Culture and Tourism in Walim. The tour route includes, among others, the gatehouse with a Renaissance portal, the chapel, the torture chamber, penance crosses, the dungeon of Princess Małgorzata, the upper courtyard, the knights' hall, the hunting hall and the princely halls, as well as the Multimedia Bioeducation Centre devoted to the “Góra Choina” nature reserve.

Highlights

• Knights' hall, princely halls and Princess Małgorzata's dungeon
• Torture chamber and penance crosses
• Renaissance portal of the gatehouse
• Multimedia Bioeducation Centre on the “Góra Choina” nature reserve
• Audio guide in Polish, English, German and Czech

Permanent exhibitions

• Trasa zwiedzania zamku – Route through the gatehouse, the chapel, the torture chamber, Princess Małgorzata's dungeon, the knights' hall, the hunting hall and the princely halls.
• Centrum Bioedukacji Multimedialnej – Three multimedia rooms devoted to the “Góra Choina” nature reserve, environmental protection and the Natura 2000 areas.

Operated by

Centrum Kultury i Turystyki w Walimiu (gmina Walim)

Admission & discounts

Holders of the Large Family Card receive a PLN 2 discount. On weekdays the guided tour is included in the ticket price, and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays visitors tour independently, without a guide. Admission to the rooms of the Multimedia Bioeducation Centre is included in the ticket price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The castle lies on the summit of a mountain in a nature reserve, reached on foot from the car park; the site gives no information on accessibility for people with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Children under 4 enter free, and the reduced ticket costs PLN 30; the Large Family Card gives a PLN 2 discount.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies in the Choina Mountain nature reserve, so cars cannot be driven up to the castle itself.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

At the castle there is an inn with accommodation.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit