Czocha Castle
Czocha Castle
The Czocha castle, situated at the verge of the rock headland is the most characteristic and recognized attraction of the Lower Silesia. Picturesque location above the waters of the Leśniański Lake is a result of construction of a dam on the Kwisa river in 1905. The castle was raised at the order of the Czech king Waclav I (though other sources attribute its construction to the Silesian line of Piasts). It was built as a borderland stronghold on the hill above the Kwisa river. On account of its location it was a difficult-to-access object.
Over the space of centuries, the castle changed its owners. At the end of the 18th century, after a long court battle, it got into the hands of the von Uechtritz family. Sadly, in 1793 the fire consumed the majority of monumental interior and even though a comprehensive renovation was carried out, the building lost its former glory. In 1909 the residence was purchased by the Dresden entrepreneur Enrst Gutschow. He possessed significant resources for the renovation and expansion of the castle, thus, he rented an architect – Bodo Ebhard. In the years 1912–1920, works were carried out that changed the building architecture forever. The castle, in line with the then fashion, encompassed the past and the presence which is visible to this day. Fitted into the picturesque vicinity it has almost a fairy-tale-like character.
At the end of World War II Gutschow took the castle furnishings and abandoned the place forever. For many years, stories of treasures left by him in the castle caches have been circulating. The tales of post-war discoveries have been surely fuelling up imagination. The doors of the castle were open for tourists at the end of the 20th century. Until then, it performed the role of a sophisticated spa centre for officers of the Polish People’s Army. It made it share the fates of other objects of this sort i.e. Not being devastated and looted.
The Czocha castle is currently one of the most numerously visited attractions of the Lower Silesia. Tourists are attracted by the possibility of staying overnight in the historic walls and mysterious interiors. Various themed events and night sightseeing tours are held there.
