Podskale Castle

Podskale Castle, also known as Talkenstein, is situated in the village of Rząsiny in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, at an altitude of 422 meters above sea level. Its architectural features include a two-part complex consisting of an upper and lower castle, located on a rocky hill. At the summit of the castle, there is a plateau approximately 7 meters wide, where fragments of the perimeter wall and buildings have been preserved, while relics of a cellar can be found in the area of the lower castle. The structure was built from rough stone, emphasizing its medieval character. The history of the castle dates back to 1207, when, according to tradition, it was erected by Duke Henry the Bearded to defend the border with Bohemia. By 1367, the castle estate was in the hands of the von Talkenberg family, marking the beginning of their significant influence in the region. In the 15th century, the castle was involved in conflicts with Wrocław and Matthias Corvinus, leading to guerrilla warfare in which the Talkenberg knights attacked Wrocław merchants. The castle was destroyed in 1476 by a coalition of armies that employed advanced siege techniques for the time, such as mining. Another version of events mentions its destruction in 1478 as a result of a punitive expedition by Hungarian troops. After World War II, the castle fell into ruin, and parts of it were partially dismantled in 1818. To commemorate the destruction of the fortress, a bell tolled daily at 9 a.m. in Rząsiny. The last owner of the castle before World War II was Hintz von Winckel. Beyond its architecture, Podskale Castle is an important element of Lower Silesia's cultural heritage, and its history is intertwined with many fascinating events from the region's past.