Chojnik Castle
Zamek Chojnik
Sobieszów, 58-570 Jelenia Góra
+48 75 755 63 94
+48 501 777 994
Chojnik Castle
According to archaeological researches, a stronghold might have been situated at the top of the Chojnik mountain inhabited by Bobrzanie tribe. They used natural protective features of the place which in the subsequent centuries became home to a brick fortress. The history of this castle dates back to mid-14th century. The family of Schaffgotsch who became an owner of the castle at the beginning of the 15th century had a remarkable impact on the building. Substantial expansions were carried out at the time and the famous pranger which has become the place where tourists keep photographing themselves today was most likely placed there back then.
The castle, during the property times, was protected by high walls with archery posts. According to the assumption the castle was divided into a fortified lower castle, middle castle with a courtyard and upper castle with the remains of late Gothic chapel and the palace. Over the space of years, the number of buildings was gradually increased, adding, among others, lower castle kitchen, commandant’s house and stables. Nature and, more precisely, a thunder decided the fate of the castle. In 1675, it hit the building during a storm which triggered fire and turned it into ruins from which it never raised.
The family of Schaffgotsch decided to build a new family residence in the nearby Sobieszów. Location of the ruins at the top of the mountain attracted curious visitors already in the 19th century. Over the course of time, they became an attraction visited by bathers from the nearby Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój in large numbers. In 1822, a tourist point was established in which visitors to the ruins could rent out a porter or guide. A guesthouse and tourist hostel were built inside the former walls.
The Chojnik Mountain is 627 meters above the sea level high and it is located at the verge of the Karkonosze National Park. It raises proudly above Sobieszów (currently a district of Jelenia Góra) and the castle ruins at the top of the mountain may be admired from far away. One may reach the ruins only on foot using touristic trails. The shortest and, at the same time, most popular route leads from Sobieszów along the black or red trail to the top of the mountain. Entry via the red trail is easier than climbing up the black trail which leads via a path between Zbójnickie Rocks. There is a ticket office , restaurant and souvenir shop by the entrance to the castle. The ruins are visited without assistance along the marked routes. A magnificent view of the Karkonosze Mountains may be appreciated from the castle tower.