Radłówka Castle: A Historic Silesian Fortress in Poland

Visitor Information

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Country: Poland

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Radłówka Castle is situated near the village of Radłówka, within the municipality of Lwówek Śląski in present-day Poland. The castle was built by the civilization of the Silesian nobility during the early 16th century.

The origins of the site trace to the early 1200s when Radłówka was first recorded as a village under the ownership of the Lange family. By the early 15th century, specifically in 1421, control of the village passed to the Raussendorf family. Subsequently, ownership transferred to the town council of nearby Lwówek Śląski, indicating its integration into the administrative structures of the region.

At the dawn of the 16th century, in the year 1500, Siegmund von Zedlitz acquired Radłówka from the town council. It was under his initiative that the castle was constructed, replacing an earlier structure on the site. This new building reflected the architectural and defensive strategies of the time, serving as a residence and stronghold for the von Zedlitz family.

The castle endured significant destruction during the chaos of the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, a conflict that impacted much of Central Europe. Despite this damage, the castle remained inhabited for over a century afterward, continuing to function as a noble residence through to the mid-18th century. Following this period, it was deserted as a residence and fell into decline. Locals began to dismantle portions of the castle, recycling its stone foundations and materials for the construction of nearby farms and outbuildings.

Adding a layer of 20th-century history to the site, a substantial stone monument commemorates German soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. This memorial stands within what was once the castle’s moat, linking the location to the events of the early 1900s.

Remains

Radłówka Castle was constructed as a rectangular stone complex, with sides measuring roughly 24 by 27 meters. Built from squared stone blocks, the fortress embodied sturdy construction techniques typical of the early 16th century. The castle consisted of three residential wings, most likely rising two stories, arranged around a central courtyard. The fourth side was enclosed by a wall that contained the main gate, completing the fortified enclosure.

The entire castle stood atop a raised earthen mound approximately 40 meters square. This elevation provided an additional defensive advantage. Surrounding the mound was a double moat filled with mud, designed to hinder attackers. An earthen rampart, a raised bank of earth, further encircled the site, forming a layered defense system typical of the era.

Some historical accounts describe the castle’s layout as having an irregular ground plan, though it generally maintained the basic rectangular configuration. The moats and earthen fortifications together created a significant defensive perimeter around the structure.

Today, only ruins remain of the castle, with foundational walls and earthworks preserving its outline. Within the moat area stands a large stone monument erected to honor German soldiers fallen in World War I. Beyond this, no inscriptions, decorative elements, or additional structures have been recorded. Over time, the dismantling of the castle contributed stone and building material to surrounding farm buildings, a common fate for many abandoned fortifications.