Świny Castle

Świny Castle is one of the oldest strongholds in Lower Silesia, standing in the village of Świny near Bolków, in the Kaczawa Foothills of the Sudetes. The site began as a medieval stronghold and over the centuries grew into a stone knightly seat and later a Renaissance residence.

Why visit Świny Castle?

This is a place for travellers who enjoy monuments with a long, well-documented past and prefer to avoid crowds. The castle shows how building traditions changed over time: from a timber fortress, through a defensive tower, to a more comfortable residential house. The Kaczawa Foothills are quiet and gently hilly, so a stop here fits nicely into a full-day trip around the region.

What is the history of the castle?

A stronghold on this spot appears in the chronicle of the Bohemian chronicler Cosmas as early as 1108. That makes it one of the oldest known fortifications in Lower Silesia. It served as a guard post controlling the route through the mountains near the Lubawka pass, an important road linking Silesia with Bohemia.

In the 14th century the site passed to the Schweinichen family (known in Polish as Świnkowie). A Henry of Świny is recorded as owner in 1323. Around the middle of that century the wooden defences were replaced with a stone residential and defensive tower. It had four storeys, walls about two and a half metres thick and a rectangular plan of roughly 12 by 18 metres.

In the mid-15th century Günzel von Schweinichen added a residential building with two gables and new outer fortifications. Over time the castle lost its military role. The fortress at Bolków, expanded by Duke Bolko I the Strict, took over the strategic importance, and Świny gradually became a family seat.

The biggest transformation came between 1614 and 1660, when Johann Sigismund von Schweinichen rebuilt the castle as a Renaissance residence. From then on it served mainly as a home rather than a defensive post.

What to know before you go

Since 1991 the castle has been privately owned. Before travelling, check whether it can be visited and under what rules, as access to the interiors and courtyard may be limited. The castle and its outline can often be seen from outside during a walk through the village.

In 2008, on the 900th anniversary of the first mention, a monument marking the jubilee was unveiled near the castle. It is a good place to pause and reflect on how many centuries this site has seen.

How to combine the visit with other sights

Świny lies close to Bolków, so the castle there, founded in the 13th century and expanded by Bolko I the Strict, is a natural addition. Comparing the two shows how different the fates of castles in the region were: one became a mighty ducal fortress, the other a family seat that turned into a residence.

Frequently asked questions

When does Świny Castle date from? The first stronghold is known from records of 1108. The stone tower was built in the 14th century and the Renaissance rebuilding took place in the 17th century.

Who built the stone tower? The Schweinichen family, who in the 14th century replaced the timber defences with a four-storey masonry tower.

Is the castle privately owned? Yes, since 1991. It is worth checking the visiting rules in advance.

Where is the castle? In the village of Świny near Bolków, in the Kaczawa Foothills, Lower Silesian Voivodeship.

Is it a good place for a family trip? Yes, especially as one stop on a tour of the castles around Bolków, among the quiet hills of the Sudetes.