Zamek Książ w Wałbrzychu
Zamek Książ w Wałbrzychu
Zamek Książ w Wałbrzychu
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Ksiaz, a blend of many architectural styles, is the third-largest castle in Poland. In Europe, it is considered distinctive because its setting – proudly perched on a rock face, 395 metres above sea level – is as striking as its size. At first a defensive fortification, raised at the end of the thirteenth century by the Piast duke Bolka I (“the Strict”), it has changed hands many times. Only in 1590 was the castle given to the aristocratic Hochberg dynasty which, after receiving title to the castle in 1605, maintained the property as their residence for the following three centuries. During that time, they became one of the most influential and wealthiest Prussian dynasties; in the 19th century, the head of the family received the hereditary title of Prince. With the marriage of Hans Heinrich VI to Anna Anhalt-Pless, the dynasty came to own the estate of the Duchy of Pless, in Upper Silesia. From that time on, the owners of Ksiaz held the title Hochberg von Pless. Before World War II, Ksiaz underwent two significant reconstructions. The first, called the Baroque Reconstruction, took place at the beginning of the 18th century, when Konrad Ernest Maximilan ruled. This included the creation of the huge east face and the main entrance, the splendid Maximilian Hall and several Baroque rooms, and also the gate building, where the library could be found. The Second Castle reconstruction took place between 1909 and 1923. The intention of the owner at the time, Hans Heinrich XV, was to transform Ksiaz into a true baronial mansion. The castle was enlarged at the time by the north and west wings, to which two tours were built. Unfavourable political circumstances (the First World War and economic crisis), and the Hochbergs’ personal problems, prevented the reconstruction from being finished; difficulties in Germany led to financial collapse. During the Second World War, when the paramilitary Todt Organization turned the Castle into solidiers’ quarters, part of the former Hochberg residence was drastically destroyed, and its furnishings were removed. At two levels under the Castle (15 and 50 metres), prisoners from the Gross-Rosen Concentration Camp dug huge tunnels, part of the Riese (Giant) complex that was built in the Sowa Mountains. To this day, the purpose of the tunnels is shrouded in mystery. It has been assumed that a munitions factory or chemical laboratory was to be founded there, and that Ksiaz itself was to become one of the Fuhrer’s quarters. The underground works were partly hidden by Hitler’s soldiers in the war’s final months. On 8 May 1945, the Castle was taken over by the Red Army, which set about causing further destruction, including the removal of part of the library collection. In the years after the war, the Castle experienced still more devastation. Only in the 1950s did Ksiaz receive protection from the regional conservator of Historic Monuments, and during the 1970s the first renovation work began. Since 1991, the Castle has been managed, on behalf of Wałbrzych’s local government, by Ksiaz Castle in Wałbrzych Ltd. The duality of Ksiaz Castle: an essential tourist asset: Ksiaz Castle has often been identified with the Ksiaz Landscape Park, the forest expanse from which it appears, like a ship sailing on an endless green sea. To this day, the former residence of the Hochbergs bears the hallmarks of the times when aristocrats ruled: the castle gates are protected by royal lions, the wide Honorary Courtyard is surrounded by the figures of mythological gods, and the castle exterior suggests that an enchanted dwelling lies within. The Maximilian Hall, resplendent with gold, is used for official purposes: honorary galas, official openings, and prestigious award ceremonies. A short distance from the Castle, there is a further suggestion of the days of nobility at the Ksiaz Stud Farm, where the most illustrious specimens of horses (those bought by Arab sheiks), may be found. Ksiaz Castle, however, has yet another face – dark and impenetrable. It is viewed as one of Lower Silesia’s great mysteries. The ultimate purpose of the Nazi reconstruction work has never been identified, although it is known that Adolf Hitler himself wanted to turn it into his headquarters. The tunnel network, dug by prisoners, has been the subject of stories, legends and conspiracy theories – clouding the picture even further. Without a doubt, one of the firmest beliefs that have taken hold is that the stolen treasure of the region’s people is buried under the courtyard.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.0
1,155 reviews
Excellent
603
Very good
314
Average
167
Poor
51
Terrible
20
Lucie L
2 contributions
June 2020 • Friends
The castle was truly beautiful and the hike leading there was also worth it.
Yet, we were very disappointed getting there finding out that the staff was rude, and none of them spoke English. Audioguide in English was also not available.
We booked our visit online, and since we got to the place a little later than the time slot we booked to visit the underground, we were told that we couldn't even exchange time slot and unfortunately then couldn't see it.
A good experience overall, just very unfortunate that the staff was so unfriendly because it partly spoiled our visit.
Yet, we were very disappointed getting there finding out that the staff was rude, and none of them spoke English. Audioguide in English was also not available.
We booked our visit online, and since we got to the place a little later than the time slot we booked to visit the underground, we were told that we couldn't even exchange time slot and unfortunately then couldn't see it.
A good experience overall, just very unfortunate that the staff was so unfriendly because it partly spoiled our visit.
Written 21 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicky P
London, UK36 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We went to see the Festival of Lights and we were left in stitches. Be careful how you word it while advertising because that was worse than any Galeria is doing in their decorations. Hours spent on driving for the event and we left laughing and crying that we spent so much time to see this. Anyways, as we walked out we decided to warm at the restaurant right in front of the castle. The lady serving us was an amazing, positive, smily, comedian kind of person. I do hope she is one of the owners because with this kind of emotional intelligence she can not be doing just waiting. People like her can influence your business in very positive way. Secondly I do have to praise you on food and it’s presentation although the timing was a little bit of for me. The tartar with the smoky glass, the creme brûlée with rosemary, effing unforgettable 💕💞💖
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johan290165
Antwerp, Belgium508 contributions
July 2020
The castle is beautiful and audio guide is possible in different languages.
I recommend to buy your tickets online but keep in mind that you get time slots that you have to respect. More information on the website of the castle.
You can get there with public transport (I came from Wroclaw).
If you want to walk a little, get of at the railway station Wałbrzych Szczawienko It is not a specially nice walk because you follow a rather busy road. You can also take bus number 8 from there.
If you want to take a taxi (or bus number 8) that is possible from Wałbrzych Miasto.
When there I do recommend the underground tunnels as well. They were part of project Riese.
I recommend to buy your tickets online but keep in mind that you get time slots that you have to respect. More information on the website of the castle.
You can get there with public transport (I came from Wroclaw).
If you want to walk a little, get of at the railway station Wałbrzych Szczawienko It is not a specially nice walk because you follow a rather busy road. You can also take bus number 8 from there.
If you want to take a taxi (or bus number 8) that is possible from Wałbrzych Miasto.
When there I do recommend the underground tunnels as well. They were part of project Riese.
Written 30 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petr Nešvara
3 contributions
July 2021
An armored train with Nazi looted gold is to be kept in the basement of Ksiaz Castle. We found out on the Internet that the chateau made part of the underground accessible. We arrived there in the afternoon - a beautiful castle outside in the middle of an amazing park. We wanted to buy tickets, but there was a problem. There was an inscription on the information screen (also in English) that tickets for the underground were sold out that day. The next day we had a program, so I wanted tickets for the day after tomorrow. And that was the problem. I speak perfect Czech, Slovak, English and Russian, but the lady at the counter spoke nothing but Polish. Plus, she was an obvious idiot. I also wrote her the date on a piece of paper and she repeated with a calf look "I don't understand". Behind us a huge line of people, in the end someone took pity on them and translated "day after tomorrow" into Polish.
Otherwise, everything else is beautiful, comparable to the castles of the Loire. Only if they had information there or the ticket seller could know at least a few words in a foreign language. Or at least he wasn't completely stupid.
Otherwise, everything else is beautiful, comparable to the castles of the Loire. Only if they had information there or the ticket seller could know at least a few words in a foreign language. Or at least he wasn't completely stupid.
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam
24 contributions
Dec 2019
The castle is beautiful, stood on a hilltop in between the forest and small hills. The ambiance is very good. Car parking charges are slightly high. Walking and trekking around the castle into the forest tracks is an amazing experience
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ninochip80
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany49 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Nice place to be visited in the nearby. Underground visit was ok but not exceptional, a bit too short and not to many things to see. One star less for one-day tickets which not even includes the toilet (4 zl per person) and parking (30 zl)
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill G
Woodvale, Australia3 contributions
Oct 2019
We arrived at lunch time and toured the castle with headphones commentary in English. Great location, stunning scenery, fabulous restorations. Then decided to do tunnel tour. It was not explained in any way that the tours only ran at certain times. We missed one tour and the next one was an hour later, around 4pm. The guards at the lower entrance did not speak English and I had to run up and down the many steps several times to buy tickets back up at the gate, then to find the tour was much later when I got back down to the gate. The ticket office also did not speak English, so had to get another attendant to translate. Eventually we got a refund and missed out on what we had really wanted to see. Disappointed that a castle where an English lady had lived And had so much history with does not have reliable information at the place where you purchase the tickets.
Written 16 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr D
The Netherlands818 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
We drove up by car from Wroclaw, a nice drive not too long, compared to those who make the trip by public transport. Castle and surroundings are nice to see but I would not take the trip by public transport. Ticketing is poorly organised staff is not friendly or willing to explain, the displays mainly in Polish. Tunnel visit only available at 1800 waiting for 8hrs or we had to come the following day. Queue for audio was long so was it for the restrooms and the 2 boys making the coffee on the terrace could not organise a …….. in a brewery. Castle trip itself, like walking as a hurdle of cows to the milk machine. Overrated especially if you compare to other tourist spots in Poland, like the salt mines for instance.
Written 21 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evelina M
Vilnius, Lithuania20 contributions
Aug 2021
Castle is worth visiting. While you are visiting this castle, you get audio guide, which tells you amazing and interesting history and stories about this castle and its corners. It is not another boring museum. The time flies in there. I guess it is worth visiting every time of the year, because the castle is surrounded by forest.
Written 23 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jana C
Prague, Czech Republic4,625 contributions
Dec 2021
We only visited the outside as didn't have time to spent time going inside. This decision was the right one after reading the reviews about the non English audio or unwillingness to speak other language than Polish. That's quite ignorant considering it's a famous castle. The parking fee was also steep 20 zloty for one car, we had two. Apart from this the castle looks great, we walked further and saw a great spot to see and take photos.
Written 2 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, is it allowed to take dogs to the castle and the park?
Thanks for the help.
Written 13 May 2022
Patrycja R
Katowice, Poland
Mam pytanie czy do pałacu można wejść z małym pieskiem 4 kg zamkniętym w torbie ?
Written 17 May 2020
Astrix_moon_ast
Gdansk, Poland
Nie ten zamek skomentowałem.. 🤪
Na teren zamku Książ niestety nie można wchodzić z zwierzętami l :( przy wejściu są tabliczki zakazujące. A szkoda :(
Written 15 August 2020
Hi GemZ77,
Thanks for the review. We're an Australian family visiting Ksiaz Castle in July. Seeking an English speaking tour guide, how did you arrange your tour guide. I am having limited luck with the venue.
Thanks
Written 19 January 2020
We didn’t manage to get a tour guide. I would prefer to go to tourist information in the square in the city centre. They had coach tours for 3 venues in one day including the castle which would be far better than the way we did it.
Written 11 March 2020
Is it possible to enter with an electric weal chair to the castle?
Written 16 July 2019
yes it is possible - but you need to come with the car very close to the main entrance
Written 17 July 2019
You can find the map with directions for tourist arriving by car or arriving by public transport (in english) at our official website - 1. Visiting -> Map or 2. Contact -> Map .
DIRECT BUS TO THE CASTLE
Visitors without cars are advised that only certain No. 8 buses stop near the Castle. Before getting on a No.8 bus, it is important to make sure that its final stop is "Jezdziecka– Zamek Ksiaz" (Ksiaz Castle and Stables; see the map). Not all No. 8 buses stop near the Castle!
You can get off near the Castle from the No. 8 bus at the following stops):
1. "Jezdziecka – Piastów Slaskich", stopping by the Ksiaz stables, 700 metres or a 9-minute walk from the Castle. From this stop, there is an asphalt or gravel gravel road (through Ida's Gardens).
2. "Jezdziecka – Ksiaz Castle" (500 metres, or a 6-minute walk to the Castle, on a cobbled road. (in the direction of the ampitheatre), and then up some stone steps (not recommended for those who are elderly, handicapped, or pushing prams or strollers).
Train travellers (from Wrocław/Breslau) are informed that the Number 8 bus stops near the Walbrzych Miasto train station, on the other side of ul. Armii Krajowej, at the "Armii Krajowej – Dworzec Miasto" bus stop.
BUS TO THE PALM HOUSE, WALK TO THE CASTLE
It is also possible to reach the Castle district by Bus No. 12, which runs frequently, or Bus No. 9
From the "Wroclaw – Szczawienko" stop, across from the Walbrzych Palm House ("Palmiarnia"),
walk to the Castle (2 km., or about 25 minutes on foot by a route indicated on the map).
Those journeying by train are advised that Bus 12 stops near the Walbrzych Miasto train station, on the other side of ul. Armii Krajowej, at the "Armii Krajowej – Dworzec Miasto" bus stop.
Both Bus No. 12 and No. 9 also stop near the "Walbrzych Szczawienko" train station, at the "Wroclawska – Stacyjna" stop. To reach this stop, take the road leading down from the station and turn right, under the viaduct, to the main road, ul. Wroclawska.
Visitors not arriving by car are informed that Buses 8, 9 and 12 stop at the "Wroclawska-Szczawienko" stop, almost opposite the Walbrzych Palm House. Use the pedestrian lanes by the roundabout, on the other side of the road.
Train travellers are informed that buses on the No. 9 and No. 12 routes stop at the "Wroclaw-Stacyjna" stop, near the Walbrzych Szczawienko train station.
Buses on the No. 8 and No. 12 routes stop at the "Armii Krajowej – Dworzec Miasto" stop across from the Walbrzych Miasto train station.
Written 25 July 2018
how to get by public transportation from wroclaw
Written 6 April 2018
nformation for tourists arriving by public transit or on foot
The address of Książ Castle in Wałbrzych is ul. Piastów Śląskich 1, and the Wałbrzych Palm House is located at ul. Wrocławskiej 158.
KSIĄŻ CASTLE – getting there by public transit
Visitors not arriving by car are kindly informed that only Bus Number 8 travels near the castle. Before boarding Bus 8, be sure that its final destination (displayed on the front of the bus) is "Jeździecka - Zamek Książ". (If the Bus Number 8 that you see is marked “Lubiechów”, it does not go near the castle.) Those arriving in Wałbrzych by train may get Bus 8 across from Wałbrzych Miasto train station, at the “Armii Krajowej – Dworzec Miasto” stop.
It is also possible to take a more frequent bus, Number 12. Be sure that its final stop (displayed on the front of the bus) is at “Wrocławska – Szczawienko”. From this stop, it is a 15-20 minute walk to the castle. Those arriving in Wałbrzych by train may get Bus 12 at the stop across from the Wałbrzych Miasto train station (at the “Armii Krajowej – Dworzec Miasto” stop) as well as on ul. Wrocławska, the main road near the Wałbrzych Szczawienko train station, at the „Wrocławska – Stacyjna” stop.
You may find a complete schedule of Wałbrzych buses at this address: rozklad.zdkium.walbrzych.pl
Best Regards,
Książ Castle :)
Written 9 April 2018
I want to ask is it possible to walk around the castle (or where can I walk) not buying a visitor ticket at all? Thank you.
Written 7 January 2018
Good morning, it's not possible to walk around the castle without an entrance ticket. Tourists can reach the castle and relax on the Honorary Courtyard without a charge. You can find information about the attraction in the park near Książ Castle on our official website.
Written 10 January 2018
What is the best way to get to the castle on public transport from Wroclaw? How long does the journey take and how much will it cost? Thanks
Written 5 January 2018
nformation for tourists arriving by public transit or on foot
The address of Książ Castle in Wałbrzych is ul. Piastów Śląskich 1, and the Wałbrzych Palm House is located at ul. Wrocławskiej 158.
KSIĄŻ CASTLE – getting there by public transit
Visitors not arriving by car are kindly informed that only Bus Number 8 travels near the castle. Before boarding Bus 8, be sure that its final destination (displayed on the front of the bus) is "Jeździecka - Zamek Książ". (If the Bus Number 8 that you see is marked “Lubiechów”, it does not go near the castle.) Those arriving in Wałbrzych by train may get Bus 8 across from Wałbrzych Miasto train station, at the “Armii Krajowej – Dworzec Miasto” stop.
It is also possible to take a more frequent bus, Number 12. Be sure that its final stop (displayed on the front of the bus) is at “Wrocławska – Szczawienko”. From this stop, it is a 15-20 minute walk to the castle. Those arriving in Wałbrzych by train may get Bus 12 at the stop across from the Wałbrzych Miasto train station (at the “Armii Krajowej – Dworzec Miasto” stop) as well as on ul. Wrocławska, the main road near the Wałbrzych Szczawienko train station, at the „Wrocławska – Stacyjna” stop.
You may find a complete schedule of Wałbrzych buses at this address: rozklad.zdkium.walbrzych.pl
Best Regards,
Książ Castle :)
Written 9 April 2018
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