| Down in the Valley: Silesian Castles in Hirschberger Tal |
German Silesia was full of enchanting castles, but one area had an especially rich abundance. The Hirschberger Tal
(valley) in formerly German Silesia was cleared of forests by German colonists beginning in the late 13th century, and
several villages and towns were established. During that time, the family of Schaffgotsch, who later owned the entire valley
until their expulsion in 1945, also appeared for the first time in the region. In the middle of the 15th century, Silesian ruler
Matthias Corvinus destroyed all Silesian castles, but from the Renaissance and Baroque era, the landscape of
Hirschberger Tal in Silesia attracted the Prussian high nobility who built magnificent palaces, manors, parks and splendid
estates. The stately homes turned the valley into an important garden landscapes in Middle Europe. At the end of the 18th
century, artists and travellers discovered the valley. At Bad Warmbrunn (now "Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój") there was the first
touristic center. By the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, better roads invited more tourists and several stately
inns turned the area into an ideal and beautiful retreat.
(valley) in formerly German Silesia was cleared of forests by German colonists beginning in the late 13th century, and
several villages and towns were established. During that time, the family of Schaffgotsch, who later owned the entire valley
until their expulsion in 1945, also appeared for the first time in the region. In the middle of the 15th century, Silesian ruler
Matthias Corvinus destroyed all Silesian castles, but from the Renaissance and Baroque era, the landscape of
Hirschberger Tal in Silesia attracted the Prussian high nobility who built magnificent palaces, manors, parks and splendid
estates. The stately homes turned the valley into an important garden landscapes in Middle Europe. At the end of the 18th
century, artists and travellers discovered the valley. At Bad Warmbrunn (now "Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój") there was the first
touristic center. By the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, better roads invited more tourists and several stately
inns turned the area into an ideal and beautiful retreat.
At the end of World War II, Silesia was taken by the communist Red Army and this magnificent valley with all of its
treasures was given away to communist Poland. The German cultural heritage of the area was thrown out and its local
history was rewritten to exclude mention of the centuries old German presence and ownership. Important churches,
castles, palaces and manors were neglected and vandalized, their art and antique collections either looted, destroyed or
spread all over Poland.
treasures was given away to communist Poland. The German cultural heritage of the area was thrown out and its local
history was rewritten to exclude mention of the centuries old German presence and ownership. Important churches,
castles, palaces and manors were neglected and vandalized, their art and antique collections either looted, destroyed or
spread all over Poland.
Today many private and governmental initiatives as well as German expellee organisations and family members of former
owners work together to revitalize the area. Probably this is one of the most exquisite natural landscapes on earth, and
German families in the valley had been present for 700 or more centuries.
owners work together to revitalize the area. Probably this is one of the most exquisite natural landscapes on earth, and
German families in the valley had been present for 700 or more centuries.
Erdmannsdorf palace (now "Mysłakowice") was mentioned for the first
time in 1305. Until the 16th century it was owned by the families of
Zedlitz, Stange and Reibnitz. The core of todays building issueed from the
18th century when Maximilian Leopold von Reibnitz expanded it to a
Baroque palace. Later it was owned by the family von Richthofen and
military genius August Neidhardt von Gneisenau who expanded it in neo-
classical style. After his death Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia bought the
palace and appointed Schinkel and Lenné to remodel palace and the
park, which became one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in
Silesia. In 1837, Frederick William III left large parts of his estate to
religious refugees from Tyrol, who built picturesque Alpine styled houses.
time in 1305. Until the 16th century it was owned by the families of
Zedlitz, Stange and Reibnitz. The core of todays building issueed from the
18th century when Maximilian Leopold von Reibnitz expanded it to a
Baroque palace. Later it was owned by the family von Richthofen and
military genius August Neidhardt von Gneisenau who expanded it in neo-
classical style. After his death Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia bought the
palace and appointed Schinkel and Lenné to remodel palace and the
park, which became one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in
Silesia. In 1837, Frederick William III left large parts of his estate to
religious refugees from Tyrol, who built picturesque Alpine styled houses.
In 1822, Wilhelm, brother of the Prussian king, was actually the first
Hohenzollern prince who took his summer residence in the Hirschberg
valley at Fischbach (now "Karpniki). Schloss Fischbach is one of the best
known palaces in the valley. It was first mentioned in 1364 as a moated
castle and was expanded in the 15th century. Initially owned by the
families Predel and Reichenbach, it was bought by Hans I. Schoff in 1476,
who enlarged the castle with a two story mansion. After a fire in 1593, the
building was again expanded with two new wings in Renaissance style.
Beginning from 1844, it was reconstructed in neo-Gothic style according
to plans in part by the prince himself. Wilhelm and his successors also
equipped the palace with a remarkable art collection of medieval glass
paintings and far eastern objects of art. At the end of World War II, it
was used as a depository for important Silesian art treasures and German
national library.
Hohenzollern prince who took his summer residence in the Hirschberg
valley at Fischbach (now "Karpniki). Schloss Fischbach is one of the best
known palaces in the valley. It was first mentioned in 1364 as a moated
castle and was expanded in the 15th century. Initially owned by the
families Predel and Reichenbach, it was bought by Hans I. Schoff in 1476,
who enlarged the castle with a two story mansion. After a fire in 1593, the
building was again expanded with two new wings in Renaissance style.
Beginning from 1844, it was reconstructed in neo-Gothic style according
to plans in part by the prince himself. Wilhelm and his successors also
equipped the palace with a remarkable art collection of medieval glass
paintings and far eastern objects of art. At the end of World War II, it
was used as a depository for important Silesian art treasures and German
national library.
Schloss Schildau (now "Wojanów" palace) was one of three former royal Prussian summer residences in the valley.
Buchwald (now "Bukowiec" palace) was formerly owned by Countess von
Reden, is now an academy with a park. "Buchwald is what in England is
commonly called an ornamented farm, and the grounds are out altogether in the
English taste. Nature is indeed here so extremely beautiful of herself that she
will condescend to receive very little decoration from human ingenuity. Here
are lawns and grottoes and cascades and running streams and parks which
scarcely require anything more than enclosure to make English gardens."
John Quincy Adams
Reden, is now an academy with a park. "Buchwald is what in England is
commonly called an ornamented farm, and the grounds are out altogether in the
English taste. Nature is indeed here so extremely beautiful of herself that she
will condescend to receive very little decoration from human ingenuity. Here
are lawns and grottoes and cascades and running streams and parks which
scarcely require anything more than enclosure to make English gardens."
John Quincy Adams
Berthelsdorf (now "Barcinek" palace), the home of the historic Count Nicolaus
Ludwig Zinsendorf, has also been neglected. The castle and the near-by church
became the spiritual center of the Moravian Pietists. It was also from
Berthelsdorf that many instructions were issued to missionaries world-wide
from members of the Moravian mission board. This religious site, so closely
associated with a faith which is globally recognized, and very historically
important, has gone to ruin.
Ludwig Zinsendorf, has also been neglected. The castle and the near-by church
became the spiritual center of the Moravian Pietists. It was also from
Berthelsdorf that many instructions were issued to missionaries world-wide
from members of the Moravian mission board. This religious site, so closely
associated with a faith which is globally recognized, and very historically
important, has gone to ruin.
Schloss Plagwitz ("Plakowice")
Schloss Lähn am Bober ("Wleń")
Schloss Lehnhaus ("Wleński Gródek")
Schloss Waltersdorf am Bober ("Nielestno")
Schloss Langenau ("Czernica")
Schloss Matzdorf ("Maciejowiec" )
Schloss Paulinum in Hirschberg
Schloss Schwarzbach ("Czarne")
Schloss Lomnitz ("Łomnica")
Schloss Arnsdorf ("Milków")
Schloss Lähn am Bober ("Wleń")
Schloss Lehnhaus ("Wleński Gródek")
Schloss Waltersdorf am Bober ("Nielestno")
Schloss Langenau ("Czernica")
Schloss Matzdorf ("Maciejowiec" )
Schloss Paulinum in Hirschberg
Schloss Schwarzbach ("Czarne")
Schloss Lomnitz ("Łomnica")
Schloss Arnsdorf ("Milków")
Schloss Jannowitz /("Janowice")
Schloss Kammerswaldau ("Komarno")
(Wasserschloss)
Schloss Neuhof ("Kowary")
Schloss Ruhberg (")
(Palais Radziwill)
Schloss Stonsdorf "Staniszów"
Schloss Hermsdorf ("Sobieszów")
(Schloss von Schaffgotsch)
Schloss Wernersdorf ("Pakoszów")
Bad Warmbrunn Palais Schaffgotsch
Schloss Kammerswaldau ("Komarno")
(Wasserschloss)
Schloss Neuhof ("Kowary")
Schloss Ruhberg (")
(Palais Radziwill)
Schloss Stonsdorf "Staniszów"
Schloss Hermsdorf ("Sobieszów")
(Schloss von Schaffgotsch)
Schloss Wernersdorf ("Pakoszów")
Bad Warmbrunn Palais Schaffgotsch
Bad Warmbrunn (now "Cieplice Sląski Zdrój" palace) was the palace of the Count of Schaffgotsch. Below left:
Kynast (Polish: Chojnik), built ca. 1292, Schaffgotsch family seat after 1360
Kynast (Polish: Chojnik), built ca. 1292, Schaffgotsch family seat after 1360
After Friedrich Wilhelm's death, his successor, Friedrich Wilhelm IV of
Prussia, reconvert the palace to plans by Friedrich August Stüler in neo-
Gothic style. Until 1909, the stately home continued to be the summer
residence of the Prussians kings and German emperors. After Word War
II, all Germans were either murdered or expelled by the Red Army, who
looted and occupied the palace. Since 1951, the communist Polish state
used it as a school and largely destroyed the interior. Today parts of the
exterior are renovated and most of the park is preserved, even though
some important viewshafts are overgrown.
Prussia, reconvert the palace to plans by Friedrich August Stüler in neo-
Gothic style. Until 1909, the stately home continued to be the summer
residence of the Prussians kings and German emperors. After Word War
II, all Germans were either murdered or expelled by the Red Army, who
looted and occupied the palace. Since 1951, the communist Polish state
used it as a school and largely destroyed the interior. Today parts of the
exterior are renovated and most of the park is preserved, even though
some important viewshafts are overgrown.
After the war, Russian and Polish soldiers plundered the castle, which was
given to communist Poland. In the following years the palace was used as
a school and a mental hospital. Over time it fell into disrepair and in the
following years it was willfully destroyed.
given to communist Poland. In the following years the palace was used as
a school and a mental hospital. Over time it fell into disrepair and in the
following years it was willfully destroyed.
Since 1299, it was owned by family von Zedlitz. In 1839, Friedrich Wilhelm III
of Prussia bought the building as a gift for his daughter Louise. In the following
years the park was redesigned by Peter Joseph Lenné. After World War II the
palace was looted and the furniture removed. The new Polish owners used it as
a administrative building and holiday home. Later it was abandoned and fell into
ruin. Now the building is being restored to house a luxurious hotel in the future.
The park is still decayed and overgrown. Schildau, right
of Prussia bought the building as a gift for his daughter Louise. In the following
years the park was redesigned by Peter Joseph Lenné. After World War II the
palace was looted and the furniture removed. The new Polish owners used it as
a administrative building and holiday home. Later it was abandoned and fell into
ruin. Now the building is being restored to house a luxurious hotel in the future.
The park is still decayed and overgrown. Schildau, right
Schloss Rohrlach (demolished)
Schloss Kupferberg (demolished)
Schloss Maiwaldau (demolished)
Schloss Boberstein (ruins)
Schloss Eichberg am Bober (ruins)
Schloss Kupferberg (demolished)
Schloss Maiwaldau (demolished)
Schloss Boberstein (ruins)
Schloss Eichberg am Bober (ruins)
| Other nearby castles and palaces: |
After the fall of the Iron Curtain several initiatives tried to preserve what is
left, so far without success. The large park of the estate was created after
1822. A bench of marble showed medallions of the prince and his family
and there was a neo-Gothic monument. The Waldemarsturm housed a
weapons collection of prince Waldemar. Cottages, a greenhouse, a cross
on the summit by Christian Daniel Rauch and many other buildings and
structures were built. Today the park is barely visible and most of its
buildings are destroyed.
left, so far without success. The large park of the estate was created after
1822. A bench of marble showed medallions of the prince and his family
and there was a neo-Gothic monument. The Waldemarsturm housed a
weapons collection of prince Waldemar. Cottages, a greenhouse, a cross
on the summit by Christian Daniel Rauch and many other buildings and
structures were built. Today the park is barely visible and most of its
buildings are destroyed.
There was an enormous number of grand estates and palaces in the
Hirschberger Valley and many, such as the one seen on the left, have gone
to ruin while others are still forlorn and decayed or have been turned into
hotels, hospitals or government buildings.
Hirschberger Valley and many, such as the one seen on the left, have gone
to ruin while others are still forlorn and decayed or have been turned into
hotels, hospitals or government buildings.
Matzdorf
Paulinum
Jannowitz
Ruhberg
Schwarzbach
Stonsdorf
Lomnitz
Langenau
Kammerswaldau
Hermsdorf
Arnsdorf