Romantic ruins in Orzech

The Romantic ruins in Orzech are an artificial structure in a forest east of Orzech, right at the border with Świerklaniec. It was built in the 19th century as a decorative imitation of a medieval castle and was never a real castle. Today mainly one tall tower and low remains of walls are left.

Why ruins that were never a castle were built

The founder was Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, owner of the Świerklaniec estate. The structure belongs to the trend of Romantic park buildings: it was meant to look like an old, ruined castle, not to serve a defensive or residential purpose. Regional literature states that it may have served as a resting place during hunts. It was built of quarry stone and brick in the neo-Gothic spirit.

What it looked like and what remains

The building originally had a plan close to a square, a projecting bay on the west side and four round towers at the corners connected by walls. The entrance from the north was pointed-arched, as were the windows. What has survived is mainly the north-eastern tower, about 13 metres high, and fragments of low walls. The structure is in poor condition and the tower itself is at risk of collapse, so it should be viewed from the outside and with caution.

Protection

The ruins were entered in the heritage register in 1966 under the name “castle ruins”. After 1945 the structure lost its former function and gradually fell into ruin; the land belonged first to a fruit-growing cooperative, then to state property.

Nearby

From the ruins to the palace park in Świerklaniec it is a little over a kilometre in a straight line, so a walk can easily be combined with a visit to the former Donnersmarck residence.

Practical information

• Location: forest east of Orzech, Świerklaniec municipality, beyond Jana III Sobieskiego street.
• This is a ruin in a forest with no tourist infrastructure; climbing on the walls is dangerous.
• Check access and the current condition of the site on the Świerklaniec municipality website before setting out.