Fortifications

The Underground of Książ Castle

Half a kilometre of concrete corridors and halls, carved 50 metres beneath the Honour Courtyard of the third-largest castle in Poland. The underground of Książ is an unfinished Second World War project, opened to visitors only in 2019 — and to this day nobody knows exactly how large it is.

How the tunnels came to be

In 1944 the estate was taken over by the paramilitary Organisation Todt and the inhabitants, including Princess Daisy, were evicted. Work began on an underground air-raid shelter for Hitler, part of the famous Projekt Riese ("Giant") scheme that also encompassed complexes around Wałbrzych. The labour was performed by prisoners of the Gross-Rosen concentration camp; in May 1944 the AL Fürstenstein subcamp was established here. The project was never completed — before the Red Army arrived, the tunnels were camouflaged or blown up.

How big is it really

Some 3,200 square metres have been explored so far, but according to Albert Speer's notes there may be twice as much. The bunkers were concreted with exceptionally durable Portland cement, and the corridors cut into raw rock still await exploration. The visitor route leads through concrete halls and rock excavations, where the traces of work simply end in darkness.

Practical information

The route is 0.5 km long; underground temperatures range from 6 to 12°C, so bring warm clothes and sturdy footwear. Guided entry times: Mon–Thu at 1 pm and 3 pm, Fri–Sun at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Admission is PLN 29 (reduced PLN 24); a combined ticket with the castle and the Palm House is available. Children under 4 and pets are not admitted.