Szczerba Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Gniewoszów, Poland
Szczerba Castle is a stone fortification set on a gneiss hill between the Głownia River and its tributary Gołodownik near Gniewoszów. The walls rise to about 9 meters and form a distinct landmark in the landscape.
The castle was granted in 1294 by Bohemian King Wenceslaus II to Cistercian monks from Kamieniec Ząbkowicki. It was destroyed in 1318 during regional conflicts and never rebuilt afterward.
Local stories link this place to Knight Wild John and his daughter's ghost, who is said to guard the ruins according to regional folklore. These legends shape how people in the area view and speak about the site.
The ruins stand on the left side of the road from Międzylesie to Gniewoszów, several hundred meters north of Różanka village. Access is straightforward since the remains are visible from the roadside.
Archaeological digs between 1986 and 1996 uncovered hundreds of medieval armor fragments and equipment buried beneath the ruins. These findings offer insight into the daily life of those who once lived here.
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