Piast Castle in Krosno Odrzańskie

The Piast Castle in Krosno Odrzańskie (say "KROSS-no oh-JHAHN-skyeh") is a medieval residence of the Silesian dukes on the Oder River, where Duke Henry the Bearded died on 19 March 1238. After being burned in 1945 it was restored in stages, and today it houses an arts centre, a small museum and a tourist information point. If you are looking for things to do in western Poland, it is an easy stop for castle fans, about 30 km from Zielona Góra and a short drive from the German border.

Where is it?

Krosno Odrzańskie (German: Crossen an der Oder) lies in the Lubusz Voivodeship, about 50 km from Frankfurt (Oder) and roughly 130 km (80 miles) from Berlin as the crow flies. The castle is in the town centre at ul. Szkolna 1. The nearest larger city is Zielona Góra. The official site does not describe parking, so ask the information point if you drive.

A short history

The castle was probably built in the 13th century under Henry the Bearded on the site of an older stronghold, and it was the northernmost castle of medieval Silesia. In 1241, during the Mongol invasion, Saint Hedwig of Silesia and the nuns of Trzebnica took refuge here. Later the town passed to Brandenburg, and in the 16th century the castle was given its Renaissance look and served as the residence of the widows of the Brandenburg electors. In the Thirty Years' War it became a fortress, and in 1740 Frederick the Great turned it into a military store. Prussia converted it into barracks in 1886-1887. In February 1945 it burned down and only the walls survived. It reopened to visitors in 2005, and since 2010 it has been a cultural centre.

What to see

The highlight is the south wing with its Renaissance arcade. The gatehouse with its small corner tower shows the castle's old defensive character. Inside you can see a regional room, a restored chapel, a lapidary of stone fragments and a wine-and-mead cellar. The castle is on the Lubusz Wine and Honey Trail. Some walls are still unrestored: the east section of the castle walls collapsed in late 2021, and a granary structure fell in 2006. You see both the results of reconstruction and the traces of damage.

How long to plan

An hour is enough for the castle, and about ninety minutes with a stroll through town. Tours start on the full hour, so arrive a few minutes early. In the summer season you can also climb the tower of St. Hedwig's church, but only with a guide on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The castle also hosts concerts and events such as a knights' tournament and the Midsummer festival Noc Kupały.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

• Winter hours (1 October to 30 April): Tuesday to Friday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, last entry at 4:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.
• Summer hours (1 May to 30 September): Tuesday to Friday 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
• Tickets: regular 15 PLN (about 3.50 euros), reduced 10 PLN, children under 7 free.
• Contact: sekretariat@zamek.krosnoodrzanskie.pl.

Some older websites still list outdated hours and lower prices, so rely on the castle's own page. Whether staff speak English is not stated on the official site.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you are already in the region. It is not a big-ticket attraction like Malbork, but it combines a historic story, Renaissance details and a good local atmosphere, and the entry price is low.