• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sweet Cs Designs
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Beef
    • Burgers & Sandwiches
    • Candy & Sweets
    • Chicken
    • Cookies
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
      • Moonshine
    • keto
    • Main Dishes
    • One Pot
    • paleo
    • Pasta
    • Pork
    • Salads
    • Seafood
    • Slow Cooker
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegan
  • Traveling
    • United States
    • Europe
    • Mexico
    • Cruising
    • How To Fly Free
  • Holidays
    • 4th of July
    • Birthday
    • Christmas
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • easter
    • Fall
    • fathers day
    • Halloween
  • DIY
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Zamek Ksiaz – Ksiaz Castle and Hotel

December 13, 2016 by Courtney ODell 6 Comments

164 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

 

Ksiaz is literally a fairytale castle come to life – set in the beautiful, idyllic rolling hills and lush forestland of western Poland. It is full of gritty history, rumors of buried Nazi treasure, and a structure that outlasted WWII and an occupation by the Red Army. The castle’s design – much like its history – is patched together with bits from different eras and styles in a massive, towering structure that is one of the most beautiful and compelling places I’ve ever visited.

ksiaz-at-night

The Silesian area is rich with history that is fascinating to explore today – Ksiaz repeatedly changed hands from the original construction which was destroyed by bohemians and rebuilt in 1288, later to be held by Bohemian Hussites, Polish nobility and landowners, and finally (and most famously) Hans Heinrich XVII (The Prince of Pless), and his wife/ex-wife Princess “Daisy”.

ceiling-in-ksiaz-castle

In 1942, The Prince of Pless became a British Citizen (his wife Mary-Theresa Olivia Cornwallis-West – Princess Daisy – was British) and left Ksiaz – which was then then seized by the Nazis. (An interesting twist – Hans Heinrich, the Prince of Pless who left Ksiaz as the Nazis advanced on Poland, gained Polish citizenship, and died of a heart attack in Paris during WWII. His sons both fought the Nazis – one with the RAF, and one a shooter with the Polish army.)

ksiaz-hotel

The castle was rumored to be one of the sites being set up to be Hitler’s residence, and as the Red Army advanced towards Ksiaz, untold treasures were hidden in the large underground tunnel network (part of Project Riese – the Nazi army used prisioners from Auschwitz, many whom were worked to death, to build an underground network of seven tunnels under the Owl Mountains near Ksiaz – some which have never been found, and their express purpose was never documented outside of storing treasures and arms.)

 

ksiaz-at-night

Daisy’s history is even more fascinating – she was part of British high society, married to the Prince of Pless, whose exploits and magnificent spending became international fodder. Princess Daisy remained in Ksiaz when her ex-husband Hans moved to Paris with his new wife, and was later expelled by the Nazis to take back the astronomical debt she was running. Daisy died in 1943 at a villa in Walbrzych- the town below Ksiaz.

door-details-ksiaz-castle

Daisy was buried in the mausoleum at Ksiaz, but her servants moved her resting place numerous times – and nobody is quite sure where she is buried today. Some people even say her spirit still visits the castle – just another fascinating quirk of Ksiaz!

entrance to ksiaz castle poland

Inside Ksiaz, while many rooms and hallways are unadorned, is absolutely stunning. The intricate flooring, woodwork, and magnificent ceilings are breathtaking.

 

The self guided tour is a really refreshing option where you can move through the space at your own pace – you can download the WOWPoland app and take it from room to room while learning bits of history about the castle – including an entire program on Princess Daisy.

 

wll-details-ksiaz-castle-poland

It would have been helpful to have someone in our group that spoke Polish – the castle can arrange for tours in English (we regretfully had to skip ours due to last minute scheduling chaos courtesy the Lufthansa strike and a car I needed to return to Frankfurt), but there was plenty we understood and lots of signs in English – as well as a few castle employees who spoke English (which outside of the cities in Poland can be a bit trickier with those not in their mid-thirties or younger.)

ksiaz-interior

When visiting, there is nothing better suited than the Hotel Ksiaz – literally in the castle’s courtyard.

inside-ksiaz-castle

The Hotel Ksiaz is steps from the castle, and a lovely place to enjoy all of the gorgeous countryside in Walbrzych. The rooms are large and extremely clean – and we loved that they offer rooms with three single beds (which was perfect for our group of three!)

ksiaz-castle-from-the-inside

Where to Stay, What to Eat, and What to Do: 

Getting there:

Walbrzych is about 2 ½-3 ½ hours drive (primarily on Highways) from Krakow, Dresden, Berlin and Prague – making it easily accessible from Germany, the Czech Republic, or other cities in Poland.

Walbrzych is also easily accessible via train from the cities listed above, averaging under $20. A short walk or bus then required to get to Ksiaz from town.

Where to Stay:  Ksiaz hosts an on-site hotel perfect for absorbing Walbrzych’s serene setting in an expansive, trail-rich nature preserve; or just an hour’s drive from the metropolitan but affordable Wroclaw city center.

Hotel Ksiaz –

The two star hotel is set in the Castle’s courtyard, boasting large rooms perfect for sharing. Only 150 meters from Castle Ksiaz, rooms with castle or courtyard/nature preserve views. English speaking staff at the 24 hour hotel desk and Restaurant.

Double rooms start at $60, including breakfast, single and triple rooms also available. Perfect for multi-day tours or the popular night time haunted castle tour.

Sofitel Wroclaw –

Luxury hotel about an hour and a half drive from Walbrzych in the bustling, beautiful city of Wroclaw’s candy-colored old square. Largely English speaking staff, well appointed rooms with plush beds and lots of extras at rates Western tourists love.

King rooms start around $100 per night.

Where to Eat:  

Ksiaz has two on-site Resteraunts serving traditional Polish cuisine – the slightly Americanized Ksiazeca Restauracja and Restauracja Brama

Be sure to try Zurek – the uniquely Polish Sour Rye Soup.

What to do:

Take a self-guided tour through the castle, Palm House, and old mine – or use the WOWPoland app (free in the app store) to tour the Castle with a program focused on Princess Daisy and her life at Ksiaz.

Explore the nature preserve – there are more than 12.8 square miles in the Ksiaz Landscape Park with winding trails and peaceful areas perfect to explore and take in Poland’s raw natural beauty.

ksiaz-castle-in-western-poland-such-a-gorgeous-place-to-visit

Filed Under: Europe, Travel

About Courtney ODell

Courtney loves to share great wine, good food, and loves to explore far flung places- all while masting an everyday elegant and easy style. Courtney writes the popular creative lifestyle blog Sweet C’s Designs- a site devoted to delicious everyday recipes, home decor, crafts, DIY inspiration, and photography tips to help make your every day extraordinary.
Advertising, media and other inquiries- please contact hello@sweetcsdesigns.com

free email series

Fridge to Fork
in 30 Minutes or Less

My “GO-TO” recipes to make dinnertime delicious & stress-free

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nest of Posies

    January 22, 2017 at 1:54 pm

    look absolutely beautiful!! Courtney, you have seen so many beautiful things on this earth! I know it must be so hard to take it all in. Truly gorgeous photos.

    Reply
  2. Kelly Rinzema

    January 17, 2017 at 5:11 pm

    So beautiful!! Love your photos, would love to see it in person some day!

    Reply
  3. Crystal

    January 17, 2017 at 10:00 am

    It’s stunning! Love the beautiful details and blush pink paint.

    Reply
  4. Sarah @ Bombshell Bling

    January 17, 2017 at 9:53 am

    GORGEOUS!!!!

    Reply
  5. Kristen

    January 17, 2017 at 9:12 am

    Wow what a beautiful place with such an interesting story!

    Reply
  6. Ann Marie

    January 17, 2017 at 9:04 am

    Your photos are absolutely stunning. Adding Poland to our must-see list!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About Courtney

Hi- I'm Courtney O'Dell, the writer and photographer behind Sweet C's. I’m a travel obsessed foodie and mom of two sharing the best recipes, tips ... more about me!

  • Keto Recipes
  • Appetizers
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Drinks
  • Desserts
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Web Stories
  • Travel
lobster tails seasoned with paprika and butter on a white plate with chopped parsley on top with lemons on the plate next to it
roasted prime rib sliced on a wood cutting board
air fried french fries in a glass jar
broiled lobster tails on a baking sheet with lemon slices next to them
sliced pork tenderloin on aluminum foil in a garlic butter sauce with parsley on top
picture of brownies frosted to look like snowmen, christmas trees, and reindeer on a plate on a table

free email series

My “GO-TO” recipes to make dinnertime stress-free

Trending Travel

a slice of cucumber being dipped into tzatziki sauce in an orange cup
carrot jalapeno salsa in a white bowl

More Travel

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates
  • Sponsor the Sweet C's newsletter here.

Contact

  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.