Czocha Castle, Defensive castle in Lower Silesia, Poland
Czocha Castle is a medieval fortress on a gneiss rock in Lower Silesia near Lake Leśnia and the Kwisa river. The central keep rises above several residential buildings, courtyards and defensive towers grouped around the main courtyard.
Construction began between 1241 and 1247 under King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia as a border stronghold between Bohemia and Lusatia. Later rebuilding added Renaissance-style fortifications and transformed the complex into an aristocratic residence.
The name comes from a Slavic word for rock or cliff, reflecting its position on the steep gneiss outcrop above the lake. Visitors see interiors with wood panelling, gothic arches and tapestries that trace the life of past centuries.
Guided tours open up the chambers and secret passages in the walls, while the castle restaurant serves regional Polish dishes. A path around the lake offers views of the rock position and towers from different sides.
In the 1950s the Polish Army used the complex as a military holiday home and erased it from all public maps. Today the courtyard serves as a setting for role-playing games and historical re-enactments with costumes and swords.
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