Grodziec castle

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Grodziec castle has a history dating back to 1155 and is located in the Silesia region of Poland.

[edit] History

The first confirmed reference of Grodziec comes from Pope Adrian IV's bull of April 23, 1155. In 1175, Prince Bolesław I the Tall drew up a privilege for Cistercians from Lubi?? at the castle. In the time of his heir, Henryk I the Bearded, the wooden terrestrial castle was replaced by the building of a brick one. The foundation of the castle church is attributed to Saint Hedwig. In XIV c. and partially in XV c. the castle was the property of the knightly family of Busewoy.

In the period of the Hussite Wars, the building was captured and plundered by a Hussite detachment. In 1470, the Prince of Legnica, Frederick I repurchased it. Master bricklayers brought from Wrocław and Görlitz gave the establishment its present-day spatial structure.

After the Prince's death by the order of his son, Frederick II, work on the castle continued. It then become one of the most beautiful Gothic-Renaissance residences in Silesia. The final work coincided with the wedding of the Prince to Princess Sophie von Hohenzollern. A grand feast was held in the castle and a great knightly tournament outside was arranged.

In the time of the Thirty Years' War, the castle was captured and burned by the forces of Prince Albrecht von Wallenstein. Because of the amount of damage due to the war, the fortress was left with some parts of the stronghold missing.

In the XVII and XVIII c. efforts were made to rebuild Grodziec, however they were not completed.

In the 1800's, when the owner of property became Prince of the Reich Jan Henryk IV von Hochburg from Ksi??, more work of preservation and reconstruction was taken up. Reconstruction was stopped during the Napoleonic Wars, but in the mid 30's of XIX c. the castle became an object of many tourist excursions. At this time, it developed the reputation of being one of the most attractive historical buildings in Europe.

Reconstruction was started again in the 1900's, when Baron dr Wilibald von Dirksen became the owner of the castle. He ordered an elaboration of the design to the most well-known and respected architect and conservator, Bodo Ebhardt, who also supervised the work. In 1908, Emperor Wilhelm II was a gust during the solemn opening after the completion of renovations.

The castle was later transferred to Silesian Society of History and Antiquarianism Lovers for use as a museum, restaurant and a shelter-home.

In 1945, the castle, with some of its possessions, was burnt.

As of 2006, the castle is partly in ruins, but also features a hotel, splendid eatery services, as well as many medieval tournaments featuring jousting and sword fighting.