Romantic Ruins of the Tower in Orzech

In a small grove on the hill between Orzech and Świerklaniec stands a round stone tower that for generations has evoked associations with a medieval stronghold. In fact it is an artificial ruin from the 19th century — a garden structure deliberately „aged”, built on the initiative of Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, owner of the residence in nearby Świerklaniec.

The fashion for romantic ruins

In the 19th century, „romantic ruins” were in fashion all over Europe: palace gardens featured deliberately weathered imitations of castle walls, meant to lend the landscape historical depth. The tower in Orzech was part of such a design — it served the Donnersmarck family as a viewpoint and ornament during hunts, and never had any residential function. Close to the tower the remains of old walls are visible, which fed the legend of a castle with four bastions. The historian of the family, Arkadiusz Kuzio-Podrucki, confirms, however, that this is not a relic of a fortress but an example of the architectural fashion of the epoch.

How to find it

The ruins need to be sought out: drive to the end of Sobieskiego Street in Orzech, then follow a field path into the grove, turning right after a while. The structure is entered in the register of monuments of the Silesian Voivodeship (A/635/66) and is under conservation protection. Entry is free and the site is open all year round.