Grodno Castle: history, visiting and whether the White Lady really haunts it
Do you feel like taking a walk through a medieval castle with mountain views and the legend of the White Lady in the background? Grodno Castle is my tried-and-tested spot for a quick time travel. I’ll show you what’s worth knowing before you arrive, where to park without stress and how not to get spooked by any ghosts. Let’s go!
Table of contents:
- Short history of Grodno Castle and who ruled here over the centuries
- Legend of the White Lady at Grodno Castle and whether she really haunts it
- Grodno Castle practical directions and parking on site
- Opening hours, tickets and visiting in a nutshell
- Is Grodno Castle really worth seeing and my summary
Short history of Grodno Castle and who ruled here over the centuries
Grodno Castle is definitely one of the most beautiful castles in Lower Silesia. It proudly sits on Choina Mountain, about 450 meters above sea level, right where the Wałbrzyskie and Sowie Mountains meet, in the charming village of Zagórze Śląskie. They say its story goes back over 700 years, although according to legend, the first watchtower could have stood here as early as the year 800, when a knight decided to guard this area.
The first official document confirming the existence of Grodno Castle dates back to 1315, when it was known as Kinsberg. Over the centuries, the castle changed owners many times — it belonged to Czech rulers, hosted robber knights, saw expansions and sieges. It was captured and damaged by the Swedes and survived a bloody peasant revolt when local villagers rebelled against their lords.
Years later, Grodno Castle was even auctioned and almost torn down by villagers looking for cheap building materials. Luckily, professor Johann Gustav Büsching saved it from destruction, so today we can admire this historic fortress with all its secrets.
I won’t bore you with endless dates because you will learn everything during your visit — today, Grodno Castle remains one of the best-preserved and most fascinating castles in Lower Silesia, full of history and beautiful views.
Legend of the White Lady at Grodno Castle and whether she really haunts it
Grodno Castle has always hidden more than one secret within its walls, but the story of the White Lady sparks the imagination of everyone brave enough to wander here after dark.
Long ago, many guests gathered at Grodno Castle to feast until dawn. Among them was the beautiful young lady Adelajda from the Schaffgotsch family. Everyone knew that her devoted admirer was the knight Bernard from the Hugowicz family. After the feast, as tradition demanded, the men stayed in the knight’s hall for discussions while the women spent time in the chambers.
Late at night, Adelajda wanted to breathe fresh air and enjoy the moonlit view over the Bystrzyca Valley. She quietly left the company and slipped through the corridors to the courtyard. Bernard, who had been waiting for a chance to see her alone, spotted a white figure heading outside and slowly followed.
“Adelajda, is that you?” he called, his heart pounding. The figure only nodded and calmly walked to the well. Time seemed to stop for a moment, then the figure stood still and vanished into the depths of the well. Terrified, Bernard called for help. Guests rushed in from every corner of Grodno Castle and among them stood the real, healthy Adelajda.
Seeing her alive, Bernard fell to her feet and confessed his love in front of everyone. Her parents gave their blessing and the story ended happily, although everyone agreed that the young knight’s imagination had tricked him.
Only the old castle guard smiled secretly at the well, fully aware that the White Lady always begins her silent walk right there. Who is she really and why does she still wander at night? Would you dare follow her path once darkness falls?
This is just one of the legends that still live within the walls of Grodno Castle. The rest you need to discover yourself, step by step, as the stone corridors whisper stories of old guests and the quiet corners hide more secrets than you might expect. If you have even a bit of courage, Grodno Castle will show you much more than just the White Lady.
Grodno Castle practical directions and parking on site
You will find Grodno Castle on Castle Hill, which is Choina Mountain in the village of Zagórze Śląskie. The exact address is Castle Hill, 58-321 Zagórze Śląskie. For orientation: it’s about 12 kilometres from Wałbrzych, 16 kilometres from Świdnica and about 70 kilometres from Wrocław.
You cannot drive directly to Grodno Castle — you must leave your car in one of the parking areas and walk the last stretch uphill, which takes about 15 minutes. Where to park?
Best options are:
- Parking at Główna 17, 58-321 Zagórze Śląskie
- Parking on Leśna Street, right next to the main one (coordinates: 50.753128754955036, 16.403982628835664)
- Aquarium parking (paid, coordinates: 50.75049550625161, 16.420681508084996)
- Forest meadow parking (coordinates: 50.75522895628884, 16.417271621504746)
Most parking spots are free, but during peak season they fill up quickly, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning.
If you prefer public transport, Koleje Dolnośląskie trains run to Zagórze Śląskie and it’s about a 15–20 minute walk to Grodno Castle from the station. Buses from Świdnica (EW-KA carrier) and Wałbrzych also get you here easily.
Opening hours, tickets and visiting in a nutshell
Opening hours
| Months | Weekdays | Weekends and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| October – April | 9:00 – 17:00 (last entry at 16:00) | 9:00 – 18:00 (last entry at 17:00) |
| May – September | 9:00 – 18:00 (last entry at 17:00) | 9:00 – 19:00 (last entry at 18:00) |
Grodno Castle is closed on Easter Sunday, November 1st and December 24–26. On Holy Saturday and December 31st the last entry is at 14:00. On New Year’s Day the castle opens at 11:00.
How visiting works
During the week, you can visit Grodno Castle only with a guide. On weekends, visiting is only on your own or with an audio guide. The first tour always starts at 10:00, so there is no point arriving at dawn.
The route covers all highlights: the gatehouse, the chapel with a beautiful Renaissance portal, the castle hall, the torture chamber, atonement crosses, Princess Małgorzata’s dungeon, the upper courtyard, the knight’s hall, the hunting hall, princely chambers and the wet room whose secrets you will discover on site.
Ticket prices
| Ticket or service | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular ticket | 40 PLN |
| Reduced ticket* | 30 PLN |
| Audio guide (Polish, English, German, Czech) | 4 PLN (plus entrance ticket) |
| Wedding photo session | 200 PLN |
| Campfire for organised groups | 100 PLN |
| Large Family Card | 2 PLN discount on ticket |
Is Grodno Castle really worth seeing and my summary
Absolutely yes! Grodno Castle should be on your list of must-see places in Lower Silesia. The castle tour is interesting, the guide’s stories pull you in and the place itself has an unforgettable vibe. Grodno Castle hides many secrets that you can uncover step by step. Near the well, even in the middle of the day, I felt a strange chill and slight unease, so who knows… maybe the legend is more than just a story.
The Bystrzyca Lake and the dam are also worth an extra walk. I do miss the old shaky bridge where I once burst into tears as a child, but the modern version has its own atmosphere too.
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!
