Piast Castle in Jawor

Piast Castle in Jawor

Jawor in the second half of the 13th century became the capital of the Jawor dutchy. Probably around that time the works targeted at transforming a small residential tower into a sophisticated stronghold fitted into city fortifications. Nowadays, the castle form is featured by flexible style. Numerous reconstructions and expansions of the initial assumption are quite visible. Over the course of time its Medieval appearance became less obvious. The progress in weapon forms enforced modifications – construction of fortified towers and bastions with archery holes. At present, the inner courtyard is surrounded by a tri-wing building erected in mid-17th century.

Until the second half of the 14th century the castle was ruled by Piasts from the family of Jawór-Świdnica princes. Later on it got into the hands of the Czechs and until 1742 it constituted the seat of royal governors. When Prussia took over the Silesia, a facility for mentally ill was built in the castle walls and in 1821 the castle was used as a prison. It performed this function until 1956. Subsequently, it was partly designated for apartments and the seat of local cultural institutions. The castle gardens are used today as the city marketplace.

Tourists may enter only a fragment of the south-western wing and the castle tower. These are available from May to October. Entrance to the castle courtyard is generally accessible.