Pilcza Castle in Smoleń

Pilcza Castle in Smoleń - in the Kraków-Częstochowa Jura, in the village of Smoleń, in the Silesian Voivodeship and Zawiercie County, there are the ruins of a knightly castle. This castle was built in the system of the so-called Eagles' Nests. The first mentions in documents about this site date back to the mid-14th century when the owner of Smoleń - Jan z Pilczy, the castellan of Radom, erected the castle from broken stone.
The building was constructed in the Gothic style and after various modifications ultimately consists of three connected parts - two lower castles and one upper one. In the castle courtyard, there is a well that, according to tradition, was excavated by Tatar prisoners, and its depth was said to be 200 m (other sources state 100 m - these are, however, mere speculations, as the well is currently filled in to a depth of 26 m).
In 2010, after the corner of the lower castle collapsed, a disastrous state of the walls was established. For this reason, the fortification was closed to tourists. Protective and cleaning works were carried out, stairs and passages were built to facilitate sightseeing for tourists, and in May 2016, the castle was reopened to the public. 
Currently, the ensemble of castle walls looks very attractive, and the improved system of passages allows for safe exploration of the site. The viewing terrace on the tower offers an incredible view up to the horizon, and with suitably favourable weather, one can see the massive walls of the castle in nearby Ogrodzieniec.

Photo and text author:

Katarzyna Krajewska

Author's website - www.fotofiszka.eu