Książ Castle and park complex

Książ Castle is the largest castle in Lower Silesia and the third-largest in Poland, behind only Malbork and Wawel. It stands in the northern part of Wałbrzych on a rocky spur above the deep gorge of the Pełcznica river, and it is one of the city's main tourist attractions.

Where is Książ Castle?

The complex sits in the Książ district of Wałbrzych, in the Wałbrzych Foothills, within Książ Landscape Park. The protected area takes in parts of the Sudeten Mountains and the Sudeten Foreland, so a visit is also a chance to walk through forests and valleys. The castle lies on the Piast Castles Trail, which makes it a frequent stop on longer routes through the region's fortresses.

What is the history of the castle?

An earlier stronghold on this spot was destroyed in 1263. Soon afterwards the Silesian duke Bolko I built a castle here, with origins reaching back to the late 13th century. In 1509 the fortress passed to the von Hoberg family, later known as the Hochbergs. Over the following centuries it was besieged, damaged and remodelled many times, and its present, expanded form is the result of work continuing well into the 20th century.

The Hochbergs were among the wealthiest aristocratic families in Europe. Their fortune came from large landed estates and coal mines in Silesia, and part of the profits went into enlarging the family seat. This gave Książ a grandeur that sets it apart from a typical medieval stronghold.

Who was Princess Daisy?

The castle is closely linked with Mary Theresa Olivia, known as Princess Daisy of Pless. She was married to Hans Heinrich XV von Hochberg from 1891 to 1923. Between 1911 and 1914, on the prince's orders, a palm house was built here on roughly 1,900 square metres. It included a greenhouse, Japanese-style gardens, a fruit and vegetable garden, and a rose garden that the princess particularly loved. Today Daisy's story is among the most popular themes in tales about the castle.

What else can you see?

Besides the interiors and terraces, it is worth remembering the underground. Beneath the castle lies a complex of tunnels, and a tourist route there was opened to visitors in 2017. It is a good choice for anyone who wants to discover a less obvious, subterranean side of Książ.

Since 1991 the site has been managed by the company Zamek Książ in Wałbrzych, which runs tours and looks after the historic complex.

Frequently asked questions

Is Książ the largest castle in Poland? No. It is the largest in Lower Silesia and third in the country, after Malbork and Wawel. It covers about 42,840 m².

Is the castle in the centre of Wałbrzych? No, it lies in the northern part of the city, in the Książ district, surrounded by landscape park land.

Can you visit the underground? Yes, a route through the tunnel complex beneath the castle has been open to visitors since 2017.

How much time should I plan for a visit? Set aside most of a day for the castle and the surroundings, especially if you also want to see the underground, the terraces and the nearby paths.

Is the castle on a tourist trail? Yes, it lies on the Piast Castles Trail.

Książ is a place where a medieval fortress meets the aristocratic splendour of the 19th and 20th centuries, and its picturesque setting above the Pełcznica gorge makes it worth seeing both up close and from the surrounding paths.