Prochowice Castle, Medieval castle in Prochowice, Poland
Prochowice Castle is a medieval fortress in southwestern Poland featuring a distinctive Gothic tower roughly 32 meters tall with six floors and a prison dungeon. The structure has thick defensive walls and was later expanded with Renaissance residential spaces, transforming it from a purely defensive stronghold into a dwelling for the nobility.
The fortress was built in the Middle Ages as a defensive structure and gained importance under Duchess Agnieszka of Świdnica, who used it as a residence in the 14th century. Over time it was converted into a residential palace with Renaissance additions that significantly altered its original military character.
The Renaissance courtyard blends defensive Gothic features with residential spaces from the 16th century, showing how the fortress transformed into a palace for the nobility. This mix of styles tells the story of changing needs and lifestyles over generations.
Access to the castle is via a bridge crossing the Kaczawa River, with renovated farm buildings containing private apartments marking the entrance. Visit on dry days to navigate the unpaved paths around the site more easily.
The tower contains a narrow spiral staircase designed to allow only one armed soldier to pass at a time, serving as the final defensive refuge during sieges. This tight construction was a deliberate strategy to control access and prevent mass invasion of the upper floors.
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