Piast Castle in Chojnów

Piast Castle in Chojnów is a stone fortress built in the Gothic style with a rectangular floor plan, positioned on higher ground that overlooks the Skora River valley. The structure displays the defensive design typical of medieval fortifications in this part of Lower Silesia.

The castle is first documented in records from 1329 signed by John of Bohemia, establishing it as one of the oldest fortified structures in Lower Silesia. A major reconstruction took place in the 16th century when Renaissance features were added to the medieval framework.

The Renaissance portal displays detailed sculptural busts of Frederick III and Catherine of Mecklenburg, representing the artistic achievements of 16th-century craftsmanship.

The fortress now houses the Regional Museum, displaying objects and documents related to local history along with archaeological findings from the area. Visitors should expect to navigate multiple levels of the structure and wear suitable footwear for the uneven surfaces.

The 16th-century renovation brought Italian architect Franciszek Paar to the project, who introduced unusual architectural details that merged Gothic and Renaissance elements together. This blend of two different styles is uncommon to find in fortifications across this region.