Świny Castle, Medieval castle in Bolków, Poland
Świny Castle is a medieval stone ruin perched on a hill near the town of Bolków in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. The site consists of several defensive walls and a standing tower that rises above the surrounding Kaczawa Mountains.
The castle was built in the early Middle Ages as a defensive post guarding the Lubawecki mountain pass and was first recorded under the name Suini in 1108. Over the following centuries it changed hands many times before being severely damaged by natural disasters in the 19th century.
The name Świny comes from an old Slavic word linked to a spring once found near the site. Visitors walking around the outer walls can still make out the Gothic stonework, where large blocks were fitted together without mortar.
The interior of the ruin is not open to visitors, but a path around the site gives a clear view of the walls and tower from the outside. Sturdy footwear is advisable since the ground is uneven and can get slippery after rain.
During the Hussite Wars in the 15th century, the castle was one of the few strongholds in the region that managed to resist repeated attacks over an extended period. This made it a reference point for other defensive positions in the area.
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