Otmuchów Castle, Otmuchów, Poland

The history of the Castle in Otmuchów dates back to the 12th century, when Pope Hadrian gave authority to the land to the Bishop of Wrocław, including the castle. Throughout the next centuries the castle gained its significance, when Bishop Preczlaw of Pogarell called Otmuchów the capital of the Duchy of Bishops. The castle changed its architectural style to that of the Renaissance during reconstruction work in the seventeenth century. In 1810 the partially devastated south-eastern wing of the residence was deconstructed. Currently two wings of the castle survive, both having four levels.

After the secularisation in 1810, the castle was left in ruins, while the lands were given off to the powerful House of Humboldt; the Duke of Humboldt used the material from the former, other two wings to repair the currently standing reconstructed wings. In the location of the former wings, the owner built a small castle-garden, while his brother Alexander von Humboldt sent in exotic trees, such as the smoketree, ginkgo, or the Canadian lime tree.

One of the most unusual parts of the residence's interior is located in the castle's two small cells of death, where prisoners were told to enter, and fall down a 20-metre drop, where there is a scripture Go you are free (Idź jesteś wolny); the sudden drop let to the stone courtyard with a sharpened birch perch.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Poland

User Reviews

Filip Siemaszko (9 months ago)
Super ?

Łukasz Ojrowski (3 years ago)
You can easily imagine You are a King or Queen. Great place for stay!

Аня Майданик (3 years ago)
The place that is sure to stay in your memory. Ancient castle with its history. Rooms are comfortable and with very beautiful views. You will definitely get vivid impressions of the castle and the area around it. P.s. We are grateful to the management and all staff for the friendly reception and help at such a difficult time for Ukrainians. Your support, as well as the support of the entire Polish people, is invaluable, and is an example of friendship and support of the neighbor. We are waiting for you to visit Lubart's castle at Lutsk after the victory!

bartek lewandowski (5 years ago)
A true pearl in the region. As many locations, it is not all that well known so you get a feeling of expedition when here. You can stay here overnight if you wish too! Prices are very affordable.

Giannis Kas (6 years ago)
Very nice place

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Otmuchów Castle

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