# Bolcz Castle

- **Country:** Poland
- **Location Text:** Lower Silesian Voivodeship

Bolcz Castle, also known historically as Bolzenschloss, stands on a rocky granite protrusion approximately 561 meters above sea level in the Rudawy Janowickie mountains of Poland, about 15 kilometers from Jelenia Góra. Established in 1375 by Clericus Bolze, a courtier of Duke Bolko II the Small, the structure uniquely incorporates natural rock walls into its defensive design. The original fortress served as a stronghold for the Hussite movement and became a notorious nest for raubritters until it was destroyed during conflicts between local townsfolk and Hussites in the early 15th century. Following its reconstruction in 1518 under Hans Dippold von Burghaus, the castle underwent significant expansion to adapt to artillery warfare, featuring added bastions, a dry moat, and reinforced stone walls.

Throughout its history, the castle changed ownership frequently, passing through notable hands such as Justus Decius, secretary to King Sigismund I the Old, and the Heilmann brothers. Its decline began in 1645 when Swedish troops occupied the site during the Thirty Years' War and set fire to the residential buildings before departing, leaving the structure in permanent disrepair. A revival of interest in the mid-19th century led to partial reconstruction in 1848 by Count Stolberg-Wernigerode, who established a Swiss-style inn within the ruins. This facility later served as a tourist hostel after World War II but eventually fell into ruin again.

Today, Bolcz Castle exists as a protected ruin administered by the Śnieżka Forest Inspectorate and forms part of the Jelenia Góra Valley Cultural Park. The architectural layout originally featured two granite rocks connected by stone walls to form a courtyard, flanked by a square tower, residential quarters, and a round chapel. While only fragments of the walls and foundations remain visible, the site continues to attract visitors interested in its dramatic mountain setting and layered past involving medieval knights, religious wars, and royal visitors like Frederick William III of Prussia.

![Photo of Bolcz Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Ruiny_zamku_Bolcz%C3%B3w.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolcz_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)