For a good start, take a tour of the surrounding attractions, which fully reflect the industrial and mining tradition of Walbrzych. In the heart of this city, the “Old Mine” Center for Science, Culture and Art, located in the historic spaces of the former “Julia” Coal Mine, has been established. It is a unique place that perfectly introduces the atmosphere of the region, which for many years was dominated by the coal industry. The restored buildings of the mine, where several thousand miners worked to extract coal at its peak, now house interesting exhibitions, including the Museum of Industry and Technology, the Gallery of Contemporary Art, and the Center for Unique Ceramics. In addition, tourists can take advantage of guest rooms or cafes, making the place not only an educational center, but also a comfortable space for relaxation. “The Old Mine” is also the largest post-industrial tourism center in Poland. The tour includes fragments of former mine shafts, and the entire center is an excellent point to learn about Walbrzych’s history and tradition related to the coal industry.

Walbrzych is also a city full of monuments worth visiting. One of them is the classicist Albertich Palace, which houses the Porcelain Museum. The collection of this museum presents not only outstanding examples of Walbrzych porcelain, but also shows the development of this art over the years. Wałbrzych’s market square, on the other hand, with its adjacent pl. Magistracki, is the heart of the city, and the neo-Gothic town hall from the second half of the 19th century, which rises nearby, impresses with its architecture. It is also worth visiting the oldest palm house in Poland, which is a unique example of such a building in the region.

But undoubtedly the highlight of a trip to Walbrzych is the Książ Castle, the majestic residence of the Hochberg family, which rises on a high rock, towering over the city and surrounding countryside. The castle is not only a symbol of history, but also a fascinating tourist attraction that can be visited both during the day and at night. Special night programs, aimed mainly at adults, allow for an extraordinary experience and sensation, but should be booked well in advance, as they are only available on certain dates.

The castle offers several tours that take you through the castle’s most important and beautiful rooms. One of them is “Baroque Prince,” which includes the famous Maximilian Hall, considered the best-preserved Baroque stateroom in Lower Silesia. Another route is “From the Piasts to the Secrets of World War II,” which not only takes you through the history of the castle and its owners, but also introduces you to the world of the mysterious underground, which was expanded by the Nazis during World War II as part of the Riese project. This is an extremely fascinating part of the castle, part of which is open to the public. Tourists can see bunkers, corridors and the remains of unfinished buildings that remain shrouded in mystery to this day.

The longest and most complete route is the “Daisy Trail,” which leads through all the major parts of the castle, including the castle terraces and parts of the Ksiazanski Landscape Park. This is the richest route in sensations, which allows you to fully feel the atmosphere of the castle and the surrounding areas. An additional attraction is the opportunity to visit the Książ Stallion Stud, which is located in the castle stables. The stud has a long tradition and is one of the most important breeding centers in the region, enjoying great popularity among horse lovers.

Książ Castle is a place full of history, secrets and unforgettable experiences. Its impressive architecture, opulent interiors, as well as unusual undergrounds, which hide secrets from the war, make this place a must-see on any trip to Walbrzych.

What’s worth seeing in the area?

1. Walbrzych from above – View Tower

The observation tower in Walbrzych, located in Jan Sobieski Park, offers a magnificent panorama of the city and surrounding mountains. From its top, you can admire the picturesque landscape of Lower Silesia, including the Walbrzych Mountains, as well as the vast expanses of the Ksiazanski Landscape Park. It’s an ideal place to take a short walk, relax in the countryside and photograph beautiful views, as well as an excellent vantage point for tourists visiting Walbrzych. There is a fee to enter the towers, and the parking lot is a 5-minute walk from the observation tower.

2. the Riese complex

The Riese complex is a complex of mysterious facilities built by the Germans during World War II in the Owl Mountains. It included numerous underground corridors, shelters and factories, some of which are open to the public. Książ Castle is also part of this complex, where the Nazis began building mysterious underground tunnels. A visit to these sites is a real trip back in time, full of fascinating discoveries and historical riddles.

3. the Szczawno-Zdrój health resort

Szczawno-Zdrój is one of the oldest health resorts in Poland, known for its healing mineral waters and beautiful historic parks. The town attracts tourists with these natural treasures as well as picturesque architecture. Walking around the spa, you can admire the 19th-century villas and relax in one of the numerous sanatoriums. It’s an ideal place to relax and recuperate surrounded by healthful waters and beautiful green areas.

– Hiking trails in the area

Check out the map of hiking trails near Walbrzych. Click here

How to reach?

1. By car – Książ Castle is located a few minutes from the center of Walbrzych. From Walbrzych it’s only a 10-minute drive, and from larger cities in Lower Silesia, such as Wroclaw and Legnica, the trip takes about an hour.
2. Train – from Walbrzych Miasto station there are regular trains from Wroclaw and other cities. Once you get to the station, you can easily transfer to a bus or take a cab to reach the castle (about 15 minutes).
3. Public transportation – buses No. 8 and 12 run from Walbrzych Główny to Książ Castle. Bus No. 8 will take tourists directly to the castle, and bus No. 12 leads to the Palm House, from where you can reach the castle on foot (about 10 minutes). Check the schedule.