Rybnik Castle, now the District Court

Rybnik Castle, today the seat of the District Court, stands at plac Kopernika 2. It is a Baroque-Neoclassical building entered in the heritage register, whose origins go back to the end of the 13th century.

History of the castle

Archaeological research confirms a structure from the end of the 13th century, and the first mention dates from 1327. Hypotheses speak of a wooden stronghold from the 12th century. The fortress belonged in turn to the dukes of Racibórz and Opole, the Přemyslids, Johann Bernard Praschma, the Oppersdorffs and the Węgierski family, and from 1788 to Frederick William II. In 1650 Praschma demolished the old castle and began to build a palace, and in 1776-1778 Józef Węgierski added wings with arcades. In 1789 an Invalids’ Home was set up in the building.

Today

The present Baroque-Neoclassical form was given by a design by Friedrich Ilgner. In 1938 the roof was lowered by 2.5 m, a major renovation was carried out in 1990-2000, and of the façade in 2013. The building houses a court, so the interiors are not open to visitors. Next door stand the Basilica of St Anthony and the Rybnik Museum.

Practical information

• Address: plac Kopernika 2, Rybnik.
• The building is viewed from outside; entry depends on the court’s working rules.