Ruins of Świny Castle
The ruins of Świny Castle are located in Lower Silesia, in the town of Świny, near Bolków. The site is primarily known by locals, standing in the shadow of Bolków Castle. There is little information available about the fortress, which makes the place even more intriguing.
Table of Contents:
- Short History of Świny Castle
- Drunk as a Pig
- A Feud That Ended in a Wedding
- How Much Does It Cost to Enter Świny Castle?
- How to Get to Świny Castle?
Short History of Świny Castle
The first mention of the settlement dates back to the 11th century, when a wooden stronghold was said to have been built here to guard the trade route through the Lubawska Pass to Bohemia. In 1248, Bolko I transferred the castle to his castellan, Piotr of Świny. The castle remained in the hands of the family until the 18th century. Like many surrounding fortresses, it changed owners several times, was repeatedly transformed, destroyed, and also suffered damage in a fire. Since 1991, it has been in private hands.
Today, the magnificent palace is in ruins. The tower and the west house, now roofless, have been preserved. In the lower castle, beautiful baroque portals can still be seen.
Drunk as a Pig
The knightly family von Schweinichen was known for their great love of alcohol, especially wine. Centuries of practice made the bodies of successive generations increasingly resistant to alcohol. They became virtually unbeatable in drunken battles with the local nobility and neighbors. The most famous case, surrounded by legend, involved Georg von Schweinichen, who bet with a Polish nobleman on who could drink more without falling under the table. The stakes were high: the Polish nobleman put up a six-horse carriage, while Georg wagered 1000 ducats. After both had finished the 20th bottle, Georg ordered a wooden bucket to be brought to water the horses and filled it with wine. He drank it in one gulp. Upon seeing this, the Polish nobleman, defeated, stood up and staggered out.
Many tales circulated around the von Schweinichen family about the limitless drinking abilities of the Schweinchen. Confident in their abilities, they often boasted publicly, bringing trouble upon themselves. One legend tells of Konrad von Schweinichen, who, during a heavily intoxicated party, stood up and said, “Even the devil wouldn’t be able to defeat me, and if he intends to take me, he should do so right here and now.” No sooner had he finished speaking than a great thunderclap sounded, and a lightning bolt struck him directly. The goblet held by Konrad was instantly melted and buried with him.
A Feud That Ended in a Wedding
One of the legends of the castle tells the extraordinary story of the knight von Schweinichen and a certain Adelajda Zedlitz, the daughter of the castellan of the Bolków castle. Świny Castle is only 3 kilometers away from Bolków. In those times, the law required that neighbors come to each other’s aid in times of danger. In 1345, the Czechs suddenly attacked the Bolków Castle, and Henryk von Schweinichen did not go to help his neighbors. This incident quickly escalated into a serious conflict between two Polish castellans. The Schweinichens planned to secretly attack the lord of the Bolków castle and used a secret underground tunnel to the fortress. However, the attack did not take place because the attackers discovered the castellan’s daughter, Adelajda, locked in a chamber. Her father had hidden her from a suitor. Henryk immediately fell in love with her, and the entire feud ended with a grand wedding.
How Much Does It Cost to Enter Świny Castle?
- Regular ticket – 16 PLN
- Reduced ticket – 12 PLN
- Group ticket (over 10 people) – 16 PLN
How to Get to Świny Castle?
The ruins of Świny Castle are located at: 59-420 Świny
There is a small parking lot beneath the castle that accommodates a few cars.
Opening hours:
- Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
If my article helped you plan your route and gather the necessary information, I would be grateful for your support in making my dreams come true by buying me a coffee!
