Castles

Castle in Dąbrowa

On a hill rising 184 m above sea level, about 11 km west of Opole, stands one of the most valuable residences of Upper Silesia — the castle in Dąbrowa. Its hallmark are the unusual twisted chimneys, regarded as unique in Europe. The historic 20-hectare park around the castle is free to enter all year round.

From a medieval tower to the Hochberg residence

The origins of the stronghold probably go back to a medieval dwelling tower, as studies of the bricks in the walls suggest; the village was first recorded in 1295. A certain date is 1615–1617, when Joachim von Tschetschau-Mettich built the Renaissance wing with a tower, commemorated by a plaque bearing the motto “against the rampart”. The residence later passed successively to the Prittwitz, Larisch, Hatzfeld and Ziegler-Klipphausen families, who after 1805 laid out the park, a pheasantry and fish ponds. In 1893 the estate was bought by the Hochbergs, dukes of Pszczyna, and in 1894–1897 they rebuilt the castle in the neo-Renaissance style as a four-wing complex with towers — the shape from that period survives to this day.

A turbulent 20th century

In 1933 the Hochbergs, harassed by the Nazi authorities, left the estate. During the war uniforms were sewn here, and in 1944 a first-aid post operated on the premises. After 1945 the castle fell into decay; in the 1970s it was taken over by the Higher School of Pedagogy, today the University of Opole, and the monument is now cared for by the Dąbrowskie Skarby association, which seeks funding for its renovation.

Practical information

From May to September the interiors are open on the first weekend of each month (12:00–15:00); at other times guided tours can be arranged. Beside the castle stands a 17th-century wooden figure of St John of Nepomuk, and nearby is the Renaissance church of St Lawrence, whose parish dates back to the Middle Ages.