Leśna castle in Szczytna

Leśna castle in Szczytna is a rectangular fortress featuring four corner towers and three floors arranged in a solid quadrangular design. Defensive walls and a dry moat surround the entire structure, creating a clear boundary between the inner courtyard and the outer grounds.

A Prussian fortification was built here in 1790 on orders from Frederick William II, replacing earlier military structures on the site. The original fort gradually became a residential castle for the local nobility as peaceful times allowed for conversion from military to civilian use.

The chapel inside holds a burial crypt for former owners, reflecting how nobility in the 1800s combined their homes with family tombs. Visitors can still sense this connection between the building and those who once lived there through the layout.

The grounds are accessible from morning until evening, allowing visitors to explore the gardens and viewing points at their own pace. Guided tours are available if you want someone to explain the different sections and the building's background.

During World War II the building functioned as a Wehrmacht hospital, and Finnish soldiers who died there are buried in the nearby Szczytna cemetery. This connection to a distant northern country remains one of the least known aspects of the castle's story.