he castle in Książ was erected in the years 1288-1292 by the prince of Świdnica-Jawor, Bolko I. It was intended to control an important route to Bohemia. In the 13th century, there was a significant defense system in the vicinity of Książ, which included about seven defensive castles (including Świebodziec, located about a kilometer from Książ. Due to its defensive advantages and border location, Książ with its fortress was called the key to the gates of Silesia.
Perhaps before discussing
Robert Weber, Schlesische Schlosser, 1909
the castle, however, it would be appropriate to return to earlier times for a moment. Well, in the place where the largest Piast fortress of Silesia now stands, there was already some defensive assumption. That stronghold, however, was probably destroyed in 1263.
The castle of Bolko I had an irregular plan, and the entrance gate was reinforced by a square tower. The place for this building was perfectly chosen - on three sides there are high cliffs under which the fortress is surrounded by the Pełcznica River. The first brick stronghold of Bolko I was expanded by Bolko II. He was the grandson of Władysław I the Elbow-high, and during his long, 42-year reign, he significantly strengthened the already strong duchy. When the last of the Silesian line of the Piasts died, the castle fell to his niece Anna, soon after it passed into the hands of the Luxembourgs when Anna married Emperor Charles IV.
Subsequent owners expanded their residence. In 1387, the castle passed into the hands of knightly families. In 1509, the Hobergs became the lords of the castle, and Konrad Ernest Maximilian in the years 1718-1724 significantly expanded his estate. This expansion gave
Książ Castle on a postcard from around 1900
the castle the character of a Baroque residence, extremely extensive and rich. The volume of the main part alone is 150 thousand cubic meters. During this reconstruction, among others, the Maximilian Hall with a plafond by F.A. Scheffler was created. This room was perfectly reconstructed after the war damage.
During the reconstruction from the times of Konrad Ernest Maximilian, the works were supervised by F. HammerSchmidt from Świdnica, with whom the painter F.A. Scheffler, the sculptor J.G. Schenck and the stucco artist Ramelli cooperated. The existing complex was enlarged by new wings and a second courtyard was created. At that time, the Piast parts were preserved to a large extent. From the period of Baroque reconstruction come two residential outbuildings located by the road and a library building with the main entrance and two towers.
Another reconstruction from the beginning of the twentieth century blurred the original elements. This state of affairs was exacerbated by the work carried out during World War II to adapt
Robert Weber, Schlesische Schlosser, 1909
Książ to Hitler's headquarters. A significant part of the historic interiors was destroyed at that time. A network of tunnels was created under the castle, which have been open to the public since 1968. Prisoners of the Gross-Rosen branch of the concentration camp worked on digging them.
The main body of the castle consists of four wings surrounding the so-called Black Courtyard. There is a row of coats of arms of successive owners, starting with the Piasts, ending with the Hobergs. In the entire main body, despite numerous reconstructions, it is still possible to distinguish between Romanesque and Gothic parts. A huge tower rises out of the buildings, erected during the reign of Bolko I, later extended several times.
The history of Książ is largely the history of the Hobergs. In 1846, the family changed its name to Hochberg, and after taking over the Duchy of Pszczyna, they were called von Pless. A representative of this family - Hans Heinrich XV - married Princess Daisy. It was mainly for this reason that he made the aforementioned reconstruction at the beginning of the twentieth century. The splendor of the residence could compete with the residences
Książ Castle, steel engraving by E. Grunewald after a drawing by L. Richter, circa 1885
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e castle in Książ was erected in the years 1288-1292 by the prince of Świdnica-Jawor, Bolko I. It was intended to control an important route to Bohemia. In the 13th century, there was a significant defense system in the vicinity of Książ, which included about seven defensive castles (including Świebodziec, located about a kilometer from Książ. Due to its defensive advantages and border location, Książ with its fortress was called the key to the gates of Silesia.
