Toszek Castle

Toszko Castle stands on a hill in the centre of a small town in the Gliwice County, on the border between Upper Silesia and the Opole region. It is one of the oldest strongholds in the region – although most of the present-day walls date from the 15th to 17th centuries, the tradition of this defensive site dates back to the early Middle Ages. Following the great fire of 1811, the castle lay in ruins for a century and a half, and its partial reconstruction between 1958 and 1963 breathed new life into it. Today, it is home to the „Toszko Castle” Cultural Centre and is one of the most popular historical sites in the Gliwice area.

The castle’s history is a good reflection of Silesia’s complex past. Toszek belonged successively to the Silesian dukes of the Piast dynasty, then – as a fief of the Bohemian Crown – to the Habsburgs, and from the mid-18th century onwards to Prussia. The castle changed hands many times: it was home to princes, magnate families and noble families, and its last private owners were the Guradze family.

The stronghold and the origins of the castle

The history of the defensive structures in Toszek probably dates back to the 10th–11th centuries. On the site of today’s castle stood, at that time, a wooden stronghold – the centre of a castellany belonging to the Dukes of Silesia. The first documented mention of Toszek dates from the 13th century. The stronghold guarded the surrounding area and served as the centre of the ducal administration for the neighbouring lands.

The original structure now lies underground. Archaeological research has confirmed that the central section of the entrance gate dates from the first stone-built structure, which replaced the wooden stronghold in the early 15th century.

The Hussites and Prince Przemysław

In 1429, the castle was destroyed by the Hussites, who were ravaging Silesia at the time. It was rebuilt by Prince Przemysław of Toszek, of the Oświęcim branch of the Piast dynasty, who made Toszek his permanent residence. Following his death in 1484, the castle passed into the hands of the Dukes of Opole and remained in their possession until the death of the last of them, John II the Good, in 1532.

The Rederns and the Colonns – the Renaissance and the Baroque

Following the extinction of the Opole branch of the Piasts, Toszek, as a Bohemian fief, passed to the Habsburgs. The castle was pledged as security to the Redern family, who redeemed it in 1592. The Rederns repaired the damage caused by the fire of 1570 and rebuilt the stronghold in the Renaissance style.

Another important chapter in the castle’s history was written by Count Kaspar Colonna, who married Reder’s niece. Between 1650 and 1666, he had the castle rebuilt under the supervision of Italian architects, including Giovanni Seregni. The towers, palace, loggias and arcaded galleries were constructed during this period. The Colonna coat of arms and the date 1666 – the year the work was completed and also the year of the founder’s death, who passed away in Opole – were placed on the gate portal.

Changes in ownership and the fire of 1811

In the 18th century, the manor house changed hands several times. It belonged, in turn, to Baron Johann Dietrich von Peterswald, Franciszek Karol Kotuliński, the Pasadowski family, and finally to the family of the poet Joseph von Eichendorff. In 1797, the Eichendorffs sold the estate to Count Franciszek Adam Gaschin.

It was during the Gaschin family’s ownership, in 1811, that a fire broke out at the castle, destroying most of the buildings. There were no plans to rebuild the residence. In 1840, Abraham Guradze bought the ruins, and his family remained the owners of the castle until 1945. The Guradzes lived in a palace built on the site of today’s car park; this building was burnt down in 1945 after being set alight by the Red Army.

Reconstruction following the Second World War

In 1960, the castle was entered in the register of historic monuments. Between 1958 and 1963, it was partially rebuilt on the initiative of Jerzy Ziętek, the then Governor of Silesia. The reconstruction restored some of the old buildings to working order, although a significant part of the complex remained in a state of permanent ruin.

In July 2015, following the restoration of the Gothic castle tower and the former stables, the Toszek Castle Historical Exhibition Centre was opened. The project was co-financed by the European Union under the Regional Operational Programme for the Silesian Voivodeship.

Architecture

The most distinctive feature of the castle is its four-storey tower – square at the base and octagonal higher up. It stands in its original location, above the deep dungeons, and today serves as a viewing tower offering a panoramic view of Toszek and the surrounding area.

Dating from the Colonna era are the two side towers flanking the entrance, two stone portals and the former stables, which were converted into a conservatory in the 18th century. The gate portal, bearing the Colonna coat of arms and the date 1666, is particularly striking. Beyond the gate lies a courtyard, surrounded by partly reconstructed buildings and the ruins of the former wings.

The castle today

The castle is home to the „Toszko Castle” Cultural Centre, which runs classes and a library here, and organises concerts, outdoor events and special-occasion receptions. The courtyard is open to the public free of charge every day, whilst the Centre for Historical Exhibitions – including access to the tower – can be visited on a guided tour.

Within the castle walls is the Colonna Café, where, as well as coffee and desserts, you can buy souvenirs related to Toszek. Its terrace offers a view of the entire courtyard. The Cultural Centre also organises programmes for organised groups – excursion packages for schools, nurseries and senior citizens.