Bolków Castle

Bolków Castle, situated on Castle Hill, is an example of medieval defensive architecture, built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries from local stone, including diabase shale and sandstone. Its distinctive feature is a 25-meter tower known as the "starvation tower," which has a unique "beak" facing the direction of potential attacks, making it impossible to effectively hit the wall. The castle played a strategic role as a treasury before it was accompanied by a long history of changing owners, from Duke Bolesław II Rogatka to a Czech family. In the 15th century, besieged by Czech forces and Hussites, it survived many sieges, and during the Napoleonic Wars, it served as a place for Russian soldiers. In the 20th century, it became the subject of post-war archaeological research, attempting to uncover mythical treasures and underground chambers. Culturally, the castle has been the backdrop for numerous events, such as Gothic music festivals and knight tournaments, and its image appears in literature and film, including "The Witcher" series. The castle museum houses valuable exhibits related to the history of the region, and the Knightly Brotherhood of Bolków Castle takes care of preserving knightly traditions. The castle is also the site of numerous legends about treasures and secret passages, making it an interesting tourist destination.