Proszówka - Gryf Castle

State of preservation:		Gryf Castle has survived till our times as the ruin
Admission:		Theoretically these are private grounds, however the entrance is possible and free
Parking:		At the foot of the castle there is a mini parking lot for 3-4 cars
Searching difficulty:		The building is visible from a distance
Access difficulty:		As to reach the castle you need to climb the gentle hill
Subjective rating:		Lovely ruins

Driving directions:

Proszówka is located 25km on the north-west off Jelenia Góra. Driving down the road no 361 from Świeradów-Zdrój towards Radoniów you drive through Proszówka, where the castle can be found on the left side of the road, on the peak of the hill.


Historical outline:

The former name: Greiffenstein

The stronghold in Proszówka was built in the place of a wooden-earth building from the XIIth cent. The founder of the brick castle was probably a duke of Głogów, Konrad, Henry II the Pious's son. Till the end of the XIVth cent. the castle was dukes of Świdnica' property, and after dying out of their lineage the stronghold was passed to Czech king's hands. The castle was passed by Wenceslaus, king of the Romans to the knight Benesz Chuśnik, who in turn in 1400 leased the castle along with the neighboring lands to Gotsche II Schoff.
In the years of 1419-1798 the stronghold was the Schaffgotsch family's property, who made several reconstructions of the castle. Similarly as in the case of the other castles, Gryf Castle was twice 'visited' by the Swedes too. In 1639 they had to go empty-handed, whereas in 1645 they managed to invade the chambers. In turn in 1745 the stronghold was taken by the Prussian armies, and in 1778 the castle was converted into the powerful stronghold. Probably it was the reason for the Schaffgotsch family to leave the castle, which deteriorated quickly.
Gryf Castle owes its name to the image of griffin, which was once situated on the castle chapel's wall.




Pictures:




Nearest castles:

Gościszów

Skała

Rakowice Wielkie 1

Rakowice Wielkie 2

Lwówek Śląski

Płakowice

Rząsiny

Biedrzychowice

Zapusta (Rajsko)

Sucha

Gryfów Śląski

Łupki (Wleński Gródek)

Świecie (Lower Silesia Province)

Giebułtów

Siedlęcin

Rybnica

Stara Kamienica

Jelenia Góra

Jelenia Góra-Sobieszów