Grodno Castle

Grodno Castle crowns the summit of Choina (450 m), above the Bystrzyca valley in the Wałbrzych Mountains. The Gothic stronghold was most likely raised by Duke Bolko I of Świdnica and Jawor, though its oldest walls are linked to the reign of Bernard of Świdnica. Since 2008 the castle belongs to the Walim commune, which runs the museum here and, since 2018, also a hotel and restaurant.

From the Piasts to the ruins

After the death of Duchess Agnes of Habsburg, in 1392, the castle passed to the Bohemian Crown. The biggest expansion came in 1545–1587 under Matthias von Logau: the complex grew to roughly 170 m in length, gaining an outer bailey with bastions. The Thirty Years' War brought Swedish occupation and damage. From 1774 the fortress stood empty, and in 1789 part of the south wing collapsed. It was rescued by conservation work in 1824 and 1868–1869, and by the year 1904, when the sgraffito was restored and a mountain shelter with an inn opened.

Museum, tower and trails

The castle museum has operated since 1965 — its first guardian was the PTTK branch from Wałbrzych. Stairs lead up the viewing tower, from where you can see the ridges of the Owl and Wałbrzych Mountains and Lake Bystrzyckie at the foot of the hill. Forest trails radiate around the castle, including routes along the lake and the former amphibolite mine — so Grodno rewards a full-day trip rather than a short stop.