Kliczków Castle

Kliczków Castle

On the verge of the Lower Silesian Forests, about 15 km to the north-west of Bolesławiec we will encounter the Kliczków Castle. Its origins date back to the old times when at the end of the 13th century the Świdnica-Jawór Duchy was ruled by Duke Bolko the Strict. The castle construction was aimed at strengthening protection on the border against attacks from the Czech Republic. Initial historical mentions discuss the existence of a guardhouse made of stone and wood on the right bank of the Kwisa river. Over the course of centuries, the castle continuously lost its protective features and became gradually transformed into a sophisticated residence. Currently, the history of Silesia and the story of the shifting architectural trends is saved in the architecture of the castle. The building reveals elements of French and Italian renaissance, German mannerism and the raw English gothic.

The following families played their part in the history of the castle: von Promnitz family, von Rechenberg family and von Schellendorf family. The castle was received by the Solms-Baruth family in 1767 and it remained their property until the end of World War II. The key expansion of the castle took place at the end of the 19th century. Fryderyk zu Solms-Baruth is known to have been the initiator of its modernization. He dreamt of transforming the family residence to resemble those situated along the French Loire river.

The estate is surrounded by and English-style park designed by Edward Petzold. Apart from the family mausoleum, one may encounter in the area also the horse cemetery which at present constitutes a peculiarity on the scale of the whole country. Until the outbreak of World War II the castle attracted many different members of the German aristocracy. In 1944, after the unsuccessful assassination of Hitler which was to be attended also by Fryderyk zu Solms-Baruth, the owners were arrested. A significant part of the property was taken over by the Nazi and the ultimate destruction was performed by soldiers of the Red Army.

In 1945, the building landed in the hands of the local forest inspectorate and later on – the army. Unsuccessful attempts at its renovation were carried out in the 70’s of the 20th century. Only at the beginning of the 21st century was the former glory of the castle managed to be restored. A SPA, conference centre, hotel and a restaurant were established in the building. The meanderings of the history of this place may be discovered while visiting it with a tour guide.