Gryf Castle (German: Greiffenstein) is the ruins of a medieval stronghold from the 13th century, located in the village of Proszówka, on the Gryfia Skała hill, from which it is named.
In the earliest times, there was a tribal stronghold of Bobrzan on the hill. The stronghold itself, like many castles in Lower Silesia, is associated with the Silesian Piasts. In this particular case, with its founder - Konrad II Garbaty, Duke of Głogów. Griffin Castle it was owned by the dukes of Świdnica until the 14th century. Then it passed into the hands of King Wacław IV, who conquered the area.
In 1419 Griffin Castle it came into the possession of the Schaffgotsch family, who managed it and expanded it into a strong fortress. It was so until the end of the 18th century, when its construction no longer posed such a big challenge to modern military technology. From the beginning of the XIX century Griffin Castle it stood abandoned and was successively dismantled for building material for the local palace with a farm.
Remains Griffin Castle consist of three elements - the upper castle, the middle castle and the poorly preserved - lower castle. The walls of the castle have only partially survived to our times, but they still protect access to its premises. The hill on which the stronghold is located is an extinct volcano, which reminds of the very old geological origin of this area.
Gryf Castle - open air
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Griffin Castle under renovation
Although Griffin Castle is currently undergrowth, it looks beautiful in the panorama of the local surroundings, as the hill with the stronghold can be seen from afar. The castle was open to the public until 2021. Due to its deteriorating condition, it was decided to ban entry to its premises, due to the safety of visitors. The commune office of the town in Gryf Śląski is planning renovation works that will allow the castle to be open to the public again. At the moment, archaeological work is underway in the ruins to help study its history and the history of these areas.
Ruins Griffin Castle are located on the left side of road 361, from Świeradów to Gryfów Śląski. Under the stronghold there is a palace from the end of the 18th century, behind which we can leave the car.