# Owiesno

- **Country:** Poland
- **Coordinates:** 50.666667, 16.700000
- **Location Text:** Lower Silesian Voivodeship (ruins)

Owiesno is a small village located in the administrative district of Gmina Dzierżoniów, within Dzierżoniów County in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship of south-western Poland. First mentioned in historical records in 1260 under the name Ovesonovo, the settlement has a rich and complex past, having belonged to various states including medieval Piast-ruled Poland, Bohemia, Hungary, Austria, Prussia, and Germany before returning to Polish sovereignty in 1945 following World War II. The village sits at an elevation of approximately 400 meters and currently maintains a small population, preserving its status as a quiet rural community with deep historical roots in the region.

The site is perhaps best known for the ruins of a medieval castle that once stood there. Originally founded as a stronghold of the Knights Templar, the structure was later transformed in the 14th century into a palace by Przecław of Pogorzela, who served as the Bishop of Wrocław and chancellor to Emperor Charles IV. Over the centuries, the building underwent several reconstructions to adapt to changing architectural tastes and needs. However, following the end of World War II in 1945, the palace fell into disrepair and eventually decayed, leaving only ruins today that hint at its former grandeur and strategic importance.

In addition to the castle remnants, Owiesno features the Holy Trinity church, which was erected around 1583. This religious structure received significant Baroque enhancements in the 18th century, including an altar adorned with a painting of the Trinity dating to roughly 1730. While the castle itself is no longer habitable and exists solely as a historical monument, the church remains a testament to the village's enduring cultural and spiritual heritage. Together, these sites offer visitors a glimpse into the layered history of this Silesian location, spanning from the era of military orders to the present day.

![Photo of Owiesno](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Owiesno_-_zamek_3_-_1904.jpg)

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