Zamek Księcia Henryka (Prince Henry's Castle)

A romantic ruin on Grodna Hill

Prince Henry's Castle is a small, picturesque structure raised on the wooded hill of Grodna, between the villages of Staniszów and Marczyce, in the heart of the Jelenia Góra Valley. It was built in 1806 as a hunting castle and from the very beginning served as an ornament of the landscape rather than a stronghold – a textbook example of the romantic garden architecture that flourished in this part of Lower Silesia around the turn of the 19th century.

The building formed part of an extensive landscape park whose centre was the palace in Staniszów. It was deliberately designed to look like a centuries-old ruin when seen from below, while offering walkers a destination and a viewpoint. In 1842 it was remodelled in the neo-Gothic spirit, which reinforced its fairy-tale character even further.

What to see

The perimeter walls and the tower, which once served as a hunting shelter, have survived to this day. After the renovation carried out in 2015–2016, a comfortable staircase leads to the top of the tower. From the terrace a wide panorama unfolds – almost the entire Karkonosze (Giant Mountains) range with Śnieżka, the Jelenia Góra Valley and the surrounding villages. It is one of those views that make the climb worthwhile.

Getting there and visiting

There is no road to the hilltop – the castle can only be reached on foot. The shortest approaches are the yellow trail from Sosnówka and the blue trail from Marczyce (both about 20 minutes); the yellow route from Staniszów takes around half an hour. The paths are gentle and manageable for children as well.

Good to know

The building remains in private hands, but its owners open it to tourists during the season, from May to October. The area invites a longer stop: nearby you will find the palaces of Staniszów, Chojnik Castle above Sobieszów and the whole network of trails in the Rudawy Janowickie and the Karkonosze.