check_circle Outdoors
check_circle Sloping terrain
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Visiting Pilcza Castle in Smoleń
My kids love castles, especially those in nature and ruins. Pilcza Castle in Smoleń is the perfect place for a Sunday trip. The castle is hidden in the forest, specifically in the "Smoleń" forest reserve.
- There is a public parking lot by the road - admission to the castle is paid (the ticket office is located at the bottom, by the parking lot): 15 PLN regular ticket, 12 PLN reduced ticket (free admission for children up to 5 years old)
- The castle is open from April to October from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and in other months from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- There are restrooms
- There is a shelter, places for a bonfire.
How to get to Pilcza Castle?
You can leave your car or bike in the parking lot located near the ticket office, and you can reach the castle on foot through a beautiful beech forest. In the middle of the Smoleń Reserve, on limestone rocks, there is a castle with a high, characteristic tower. Time has not been kind to it and over the centuries it has fallen into ruin.
Castle Tower
The characteristic point of the castle is the round castle tower, visible from a distance and protruding above the forest - it offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. The panorama from the castle tower in Smoleń is one of the most beautiful among the viewing points of the Eagles' Nests! We climb the tower via metal, spiral stairs.
Podzamcze
From the observation tower, we can see a separate courtyard of Podzamcze - to get there you have to leave the castle and go a bit further along the path beyond its walls. In recent years, numerous reconstruction works have been carried out at the castle. Two spearheads found during archaeological works may indicate that the hill was inhabited even before our era. An interesting fact is that at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, the lady of Smoleń was Elżbieta Pilecka-Granowska, the third wife of Władysław Jagiełło. The castle also housed the “Batavia” shot factory.
Nearby attractions: Wodąca Valley, Pańskie Hillfort
The area around the castle is more interesting. The ruins themselves are located at the outlet of the Wodąca Valley. It is one of the most attractive places in the Jura. Here you will find caves, Clock Mountains and rock outliers. However, you will not find a permanent stream... Wodąca Valley is a dry valley!
Due to the short legs of our children, we chose the rock formation Pańskie Hillfort (we drove to the parking lot on the other side of the valley). After a short forest climb through the forest, we reached the rocks with a cross.
This turned out to be enough for us, as the Hillfort hides extraordinary places: it offers climbing opportunities, sliding down rocks on bums, you can cross a bridge and hide under the rocks. For small children, it's a wonderful adventure!
For the older ones, we recommend extending the trip and going from Pilcza Castle all the way through the Wodąca Valley.
Time for a winter surprise. In the village of Smoleń, there is a family ski resort SMOLEŃ – SKI. Perfect for someone who is still learning to ski like me :)
PS. We invite you to the author's blog for descriptions and photos: paloszowka.pl >>>
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Publish Date: 2021-10-20
Last Updated: 2023-08-09
More in the Region Jura (Jura)
Total Length 122 km
