Moszna Castle

Moszna Castle is not only an architectural marvel, but also a place that hides many fascinating stories. With 99 towers and 365 rooms, this castle is a stunning piece of Polish history.

The story of the village of Moszna begins around 1307, when the Moschin family moved to the region and established it as their home. According to local legend, in its early years Moszna was not a castle but a monastery run by the Knights Templar. While no hard evidence of this has been found, excavations under the palace revealed older structures that could date back to the Middle Ages, keeping the legend alive.

Moszna Castle's documented history begins in 1679, when the von Skall family built a manor on its grounds. It isn't until 1723, however, that the first palace, the central part of today's castle, was built by George Wilhelm von Reisewitz, the Court Marshal of Frederick the Great. The castle then passed through many hands, with new additions made each time.

In 1866, the Tiele-Winckler family acquired Moszna and would remain its longest occupants, as evidenced by the grand expansions they commissioned. The family's rise was remarkable: Franz Winckler began working in the Silesian mining industry and, within a decade, had risen to knighthood under the Prussian king.

Under the Tiele-Wincklers, the castle underwent a series of renovations: in 1895, when Franz Hubert von Tiele-Winckler received the title of count from Kaiser Wilhelm II; from 1896 to 1900, following a devastating fire; and from 1911 to 1913, in anticipation of a visit from the Prussian monarch. During these works, they added a Gothic wing, then a Neo-Renaissance wing, creating the eclectic ensemble that visitors admire today.

In 1945, as the Red Army closed in on Poland, the Tiele-Winckler family fled the castle. In the ensuing years, it was nationalized and repurposed by various institutions. In 1972, it was converted into a psychiatric and rehabilitation center and continued serving in that capacity until 2013, when it was restored and opened to the public.

Today, visitors can wander around its fairy-tale-like grounds or take a guided tour of the lavish interiors. Guests can even stay overnight, as the castle has been converted into a hotel and cultural center, hosting events and conferences.

Moszna Castle has withstood centuries of regime changes, wars, and aristocratic families, outlasting two World Wars, the Prussian Empire, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union. Its layered architecture stands as a record of the changes it has endured.