A lot of attractions await us in the Lower Silesian Voivodship. One of them is the Książ Castle full of secrets. Legend has it that a treasure is hidden in its area and has been attracting its seekers for years. However, this is not the only reason why the monument is such a popular place on the map among tourists. It owes its fame to its rich history, and we do not know the exact history of the first centuries of its functioning. The first mention of today’s Książ Castle (after German Fürstenstein) dates from 1288-1292. At that time, one of the many defensive castles of the Świdnica-Jawor prince Bolek I the Austere was built. It was then considered the “key to Silesia” and situated in the heart of the forest, on a hill, making it an ideal strategic place during the war. Bolko I gave himself the title of “master of Książ,” which his successors later took over. The castle passed from the Piast rule to the hands of the Czech kings of the Luxembourg dynasty, it was ruled by, among others, the Czech King George of Poděbrady, Hungarian King Maciej Korwin, Władysław II Jagiellończyk – King of Bohemia and Hungary, and the famous Hochberg family. The exact chronological record of the rulers and the history of the Książ Castle can be found on the website in the castle history category: https://www.ksiaz.walbrzych.pl/turystyka/zamek#historia
Książ Castle during World War II and today
During World War II, the Książ Castle fell into the hands of the Nazis. Collections of the Royal Prussian Library from Berlin were kept here. The Nazi paramilitary organization “Todt” began intensive work at the castle, most likely to prepare one of Hitler’s headquarters. The Nazis carried out the so-called third reconstruction of the Książ Castle. It was at this time that prisoners of the Groß-Rosen concentration camp were forced to dig tunnels under the castle and the Honorary Courtyard. Today, together with a guide, you can go underground and learn some theories about their purpose. At the same time, the same tunnels were also created in the Owl Mountains. In the years 1945–1946 the castle was devastated by the Soviet army. Today, the Książ Castle is owned by the Wałbrzych commune. The restored building attracts crowds of tourists. In the castle halls we can admire the exhibition “Metamorphoses of the Książ Castle”, co-organized with the National Museum in Wroclaw. The old Hochberg’s pieces of art, among them:10 works of art from the former collection of Jan Henryk XV von Hochberg and his wife, Princess Daisy, also returned to the castle. In total, there are 38 paintings in Książ related to the history of the object or the fascinations of the former owners of this place. The works come from the collections of the National Museum in Wrocław and have been selected to decorate castle rooms. Information about day and night tours and current events from the life of the Książ Castle can be found on the official website https://www.ksiaz.walbrzych.pl/.
