Piotrowice Świdnickie Castle

Piotrowice Świdnickie Castle is a historic monument built between 1590 and 1599 by Jacob von Zedlitz, located in the Lower Silesian district of Świdnica, within the municipality of Jaworzyna Śląska. The Renaissance-style castle was constructed on the site of an older water castle. The building is made of stone and brick, plastered, with a square layout, two stories, and a tall gable roof. The castle is adorned with cylindrical three-story towers and a stone portal at the entrance, which was once decorated with a heraldic frieze featuring the coats of arms of noble families, including von Schaffgotsch and von Zedlitz. The castle is surrounded by a moat, crossed by a five-span bridge. Around the complex, a 19th-century park and an 18th–19th-century farmstead with outbuildings have been preserved. Historically, the castle underwent numerous changes; it was plundered during the Thirty Years' War and repeatedly renovated in later years. It fell into decline in the 19th century but was thoroughly restored in 1894. Unfortunately, after World War II, the castle was devastated and subsequently fell into ruin. Conservation work took place in the 1970s and 1990s, contributing to its renewal. Today, the castle is a valuable part of Lower Silesia's cultural heritage, combining architectural merits with a rich history. A particularly interesting feature is the arrangement of coats of arms on the portal, illustrating the complex networks of connections between noble families, highlighting the significance of this site in the region's history.