Gryf Castle

Gryf Castle, also known as Greiffenstein, is a medieval ruin located in Proszówka, on a hill overlooking the road between Gryfów Śląski and Mirsk. The castle was built in the 13th century by the Duke of Głogów, Konrad, on the site of a former stronghold of the Bobrzanie tribe. Over the centuries, it changed hands multiple times, first passing to the Dukes of Świdnica and later to the Bohemian King Wenceslaus IV. In 1419, the castle became the property of the Schaffgotsch family, who owned it until 1798. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle was expanded, with the addition of attics to the upper castle and the enlargement of the lower section and the entrance gate. Throughout its history, the castle twice defended itself against Swedish forces but was ultimately captured in 1645. In 1745, it was occupied by Prussian troops, and by 1778, it had been transformed into a strong fortress. After being partially dismantled for building materials in 1799, the castle fell into ruin. Today, it is privately owned. Architecturally, the castle consisted of three parts: the upper, middle, and lower sections. The upper castle, built on an irregular pentagonal plan, offered views of the surrounding area. Its chapel once featured a painting of a large griffin, from which the castle derives its name. Only the walls of the upper castle, fragments of the gate, and the entrance tower have survived. Gryf Castle is an intriguing site, both for its rich history and its architecture, which reflects the former grandeur of the structure. These picturesque ruins attract tourists and remain an important landmark in the region’s cultural heritage.