Książ Castle — Attraction in Wałbrzych

We toured Ksiaz Castle (Zamek Ksiaz), the underground tunnels of Project Riese, and the Palm House (Palmiarnia) in mid-October, a very enjoyable day, and well worth the trip. We did experience two suboptimal staff experiences. At the ticket window, the staff person didn’t understand that we wanted two tickets, necessitating two separate transactions. After finishing the tunnel tour, when we went to pick up the audio guide to enter and tour the castle, the staff person was rude, initially unintelligibly rejecting our tickets, which we had to point out were valid for the castle. As for getting to the castle from Wroclaw, because we preferred to travel on our own, at our own pace, we chose to take public transportation. Because our arrival time would not be precise, and underground tours are entry timed, we decided to purchase our tickets upon arrival, finding availability and no line. We did the underground tunnel tour first, as it began within a few minutes. While the Polish speaking tour guide led the group, audio guides were provided in many languages, triggered automatically along the route. We then did the independent castle tour using an English audio guide. From there, we had a nice walk down to the Palm House, which was included with the admission ticket. As an example of how to get to Ksiaz by public transportation, I will summarize our route, with other suggestions. We took the train from Wroclaw Glowny to Walbrzych Miasto, which is the first of two possible train stops in Walbrzych. After a reasonably short wait across the street, we were able to get on bus 8, making sure the final stop was Jezdziecka- Zamek Ksiaz. I suggest checking the bus schedule in real time, to estimate the wait time, for possible alternative consideration. At the castle, there is a choice of two stops. We got off at the first one (Piastow Slaskich) by the stables, which is a slightly longer walk on a smooth surface with a gentle rise. An easier, fast alternative would be to take a taxi from the Walbrzych Miasto train station to the castle. There were taxis waiting there, even mid-morning on a Tuesday in mid-October. Our return trip was much easier, since we went to the Palm House last. From nearby, buses 8 and 12 go to the Walbrzych Miasto train station. An alternate return option from the Palm House would be to take bus 9 or 12 to the other Walbrzych Szczawienko train station. The castle website has a map showing the local transportation and...

Very unfriendly staff (we asked to see everything and had to go back to get extra tickets to see the tunnels) and confusing opening layout. There's a self service kiosk literally hidden away in the front entrance. The Nazi tunnels as others have pointed are not that great, it's a very short tour (5 minutes) and from the diagrams you think you're going to see 2 floors worth of tunnels, but you won't. The gardens aren't that great, in fact they look dilapidated and run down. Maybe use some of the money you make at the castle to make your gardens look in a presentable condition. You can see the greed of the company that runs the place, in the gift shop which is the last room of the tour has a paid WC, (which is done by design since you realize you have to go to the bathroom and the last free one was up the long staircase you took to get down), whereas all the other bathrooms scattered on the tour were free, this one cost 2zl which isn't a big deal, but still. Also, I wasn't sure if I was in an old castle or a antique shop as quite a significant amount of space was being used to sell furniture.

There was alot of hype of this being one of the most beautiful castles in Poland, which mind you, yes, the exterior of the castle is very nice, the interior is okay for what it was (I wasn't a fan of glorifying the Austrian family that occupied the castle prior to Polish liberation), but the operational flaws just took too much away from the beauty of the castle so that I say you're better off not making the multihour drive to the castle and spending your time elsewhere. I can't strongly say enough, stay away from this place, if I could give it zero or negative...

Zamek Książ at Piastów Śląskich in Wałbrzych stands as a monumental fusion of history and architectural grandeur, perched dramatically on a rocky promontory overlooking the Pełcznica River valley.

This sprawling castle, Poland’s third-largest after Malbork and Wawel, traces its origins to the late 13th century when Duke Bolko I erected it as a strategic fortress. Over centuries, it evolved through Gothic, Baroque, and Neorenaissance styles, resulting in a captivating blend visible in its towers, courtyards, and ornate interiors.

The medieval core, including the original quadrilateral keep and fragments of perimeter walls, now anchors a palace complex adorned with regal halls and gardens.

The castle’s allure extends beyond its walls. Visitors can explore mysterious underground tunnels, remnants of a WWII-era Nazi project, and stroll through the adjacent Książ Landscape Park’s lush forests. On-site amenities include the historic Hotel Książ, housed in former palace outbuildings, offering a chance to stay amid aristocratic ambiance.

Bus 8 with destination “Jeździecka - Zamek Książ” from Wałbrzych Miasto train station provides direct access, while English audio guides help navigate the castle’s rich past.

Nearby attractions like the art-nouveau Palm House and the Gothic Revival “Old Książ” ruins an 18th-century romantic folly, round out the experience. Though some areas like the gardens close seasonally, the castle remains a year-round spectacle, where every corridor whispers tales of Prussian kings, Czartoryski nobles, and...