Książ Castle

Książ Castle, located in Wałbrzych in Lower Silesia, is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in Poland. Surrounded by the picturesque Książ Landscape Park, it holds a rich history, many secrets, and an impressive architectural heritage within its walls. The castle is equipped with ramps and elevators, allowing people in wheelchairs to visit most of the rooms and chambers. When visiting this well-known tourist attraction, there is no need to buy tickets in advance or inform the staff about mobility limitations.

Getting to Książ Castle

A large parking lot is located about 500 meters from the castle entrance. This distance can be a challenge, so it's worth trying to reach the small parking area near the main gate, which has a few spots including three designated for people with disabilities. However, the chances of finding a free spot there are very slim. Informing the parking staff that you're using a wheelchair allowed us to drive right up near the ticket booth and the grand gate, where an additional space was made available for our car.
The road to the castle building is somewhat demanding, as it is paved with uneven cobblestones—but that's to be expected when visiting a centuries-old monument.

Visiting Książ Castle

As a wheelchair user, the visit to Książ Castle begins at the security booth located opposite the main entrance for able-bodied visitors. There, we receive an audio guide providing detailed information about each place we visit. A security staff member then escorts us to an elevator, which takes us comfortably to the first floor. We're informed that after finishing each level, we should notify the security again and wait at the elevator. This simple procedure also applies to the second and third floors and works very efficiently.
As for accessibility, nearly all chambers can be accessed by wheelchair. Some have smaller or larger steps, but next to the higher ones there are folding ramps with instructions to ask the staff for assistance if needed.
During the visit, I also noticed a restroom adapted for people with disabilities.

Impressions from Książ Castle

From the front, Książ Castle doesn't seem particularly large. However, once you start exploring the rooms, you realize it's quite vast. The number of chambers, their furnishings, and especially the magnificent Maximilian Hall, make this a truly special place. The audio system is also very important, providing historical context for each space we visit. Without any rush, we can explore every corner and learn various details about Princess Daisy and the Hochberg family—the original owners of Książ Castle.

The entire visit takes over an hour and is definitely time well spent. Near the castle, there are viewing terraces and an entrance to the underground tunnels. Unfortunately, it is not possible to access them in a wheelchair due to stairs. About 400 meters from the castle, there's a viewpoint, but I'm not sure about its accessibility.

In summary, Książ Castle is a site that, despite its historical structure, is relatively well adapted for people with disabilities. While some limitations still exist, the helpful staff make it possible to fully enjoy its atmosphere, history, and architecture. It's a great example of how even those with limited mobility can explore monumental heritage. This place will surely stay in my memory for a long time.