Castle in Dąbrowa

Dąbrowa Castle (roughly "dom-BRO-vah") is a 17th-century Renaissance residence near Opole in southern Poland, remodeled in the 1890s into a Neo-Renaissance mansion and famous for its spiral, twisted brick chimneys. It stands in a large historic park in the village of Dąbrowa, about 11 km west of Opole. It is not a polished museum, but a fascinating, slightly melancholy stop on Opole Silesia's castle and palace trail, best enjoyed on a walk around the grounds.

Where it is and how to get there

Dąbrowa lies in Opole Province (Opolskie), in the historic region of Silesia, between Wrocław and Katowice. The A4 motorway runs close by, so the castle is an easy detour on a drive between the two cities: Opole is about a quarter of an hour away, Wrocław roughly an hour, and Katowice Airport about 1.5 hours. If you travel by train, the small station Dąbrowa Niemodlińska on the Opole–Wrocław line is a short walk from the castle through the village. The castle's address is ul. Zamkowa, 49-120 Dąbrowa; you can usually park by the gate or along the village street.

A short history

The von Tschetschau-Mettich family built the original red-brick Renaissance residence, with an inner courtyard, in 1615–1617. The estate changed hands several times; around the turn of the 19th century the Ziegler-Klipphausen family laid out a park, a pheasantry and fish ponds.

In 1893 the estate was bought by the Hochbergs, one of the wealthiest aristocratic families in Europe, better known as the owners of Książ Castle and Pszczyna Palace. Between 1894 and 1897 they rebuilt Dąbrowa in Neo-Renaissance style, giving it the towers, ornate gables and the Hochberg coat of arms you see today. The building was devastated after 1945, when Silesia became part of Poland. It now belongs to the University of Opole and is a listed monument.

What to see

• The twisted chimneys – the spiral brick chimney stacks are the castle's trademark; regional tourism sources describe them as unique in Europe.
• Towers and gables – a round tower with an onion dome, a tall tower crowned with a lantern, and decorative gables in the Dutch-Renaissance manner.
• The park – more than 20 hectares of old trees, carpeted with wood anemones in spring.
• St. Lawrence's Church – a historic parish church a few hundred meters away.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy architecture and off-the-beaten-path places, and especially if you are already traveling between Wrocław and Kraków. Plan 45–60 minutes for the exterior and park. The interiors open only occasionally: according to the regional castle trail brochure, the local "Dąbrowskie Skarby" association runs guided visits during the summer season on the first weekend of the month, 12:00–3:00 pm, and groups can book other dates. Sources differ on which months the season covers, so check the castle's Facebook page (Dabrowa.Zamek) before you go; in October, expect to see the outside only. Tours are run by local volunteers and are likely to be in Polish. Any donations or fees are paid in Polish złoty (PLN).

The building is still being rescued, so do not enter it outside an organized tour.

Nearby

Combine Dąbrowa with Niemodlin Castle (about 10 km west), the palace in Prószków and the old town of Opole, with its riverside promenade and Piast Tower.