Castle in Chojnów

he castle in Chojnów was probably built at the end of the 13th century, the first mentions of it come from 1329 and 1331. Founded on an irregular plan similar to a triangle, it was not connected to the city walls. It was separated from the city by the Młynówka stream, which flowed around the castle walls from the north and east. In the northern corner of the castle there was a gate, to which a gate building was later added from the outside, and in the southern and western corners there were two residential wings.

The first expansion took place in the 14th century. In the 15th century, the complex was expanded again, 

Aerial photo, photo by ZeroJeden, IV 2024

at that time a second castle courtyard was built, and in its corner a huge cylindrical tower with a diameter of over 15 meters. The existing buildings were enlarged and modernized.

In 1508, a fire broke out here, which consumed most of the buildings. Then in 1510 the round tower collapsed, leaving only fragments of one wing of the castle.

In the years 1546-1547, during the reign of Frederick III, Duke of Legnica, the surviving fragments of the stronghold were incorporated into a residential complex expanded in the Renaissance style. On the axis of the main building, a portal with images of the royal couple was placed. Construction work was supervised by Franciszek Parr, known for his work on many other castles in Silesia.

During the Thirty Years' War and in 1661, the castle was burned down, occasional renovations allowed the surviving buildings to be inhabited until the beginning of the 18th century. In 1768, the castle was partially demolished, and the renovated main building with the Renaissance portal was designated as the seat of Prussian administrative 

photo by ZeroJeden, V 2006

offices. Later, the castle buildings became the property of the city.

After World War II, the neglected buildings were renovated and housed a museum.

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