Travel by rail to castles and palaces

Day 1:

• Piast Tower in Opole

The Piast Tower is the only surviving part of the castle of the Opole Piasts, whose construction on Pasieka Island in the Oder River was begun in the 13th century by Duke Casimir. The tower itself was built around 1300 and is one of the oldest structures of its kind in Poland.
After a thorough renovation, it became not only a viewpoint, but also the site of a modern multimedia exhibition devoted to the history of the Opole Piasts and their seat. From a height of 35 metres, there is an impressive panorama of the city, in which it is easy to recognise, among other landmarks, the nearby amphitheatre known for the National Festival of Polish Song.
The tower is located right in the centre of Opole, so a visit can easily be combined with a walk around the Old Town. The ascent involves 163 steps and may be somewhat demanding, but the effort is certainly rewarded by the view from the top. Visits take place at specific times and with a guide, so it is worth planning ahead.

• Upper Castle in Opole

The Upper Castle was the second seat of the Opole Piasts – more modest and decidedly less well known than the castle on Pasieka Island. Built more than a hundred years later, it served its function for a much shorter time, and little information about it has survived. From as early as the 17th century, only a tower remained here, unused for a long time. Only recently was it thoroughly restored and opened to visitors. Today, it is a place where one can almost directly feel the atmosphere of medieval Opole. When planning a visit, it is worth remembering that sightseeing – just as in the Piast Tower – takes place at specific times and in organised groups.

Day 2:

• Museum of the Silesian Piasts in Brzeg

The museum is housed in the magnificent Renaissance residence of the Legnica-Brzeg Piasts, which impresses both with its architecture and its richly decorated interiors. Although the castle’s history dates back to the Middle Ages, in the 16th century Italian builders transformed it into one of the most beautiful residences in this part of Europe. The impressive gatehouse, with its façade depicting Duke George II and his wife Barbara, as well as the arcaded courtyard, remain long in the memory of visitors.

At the museum, visitors can discover the fascinating history of the Silesian Piasts. A particular highlight is the exhibition Memoriae Piastorum Principum Silesiae, where unique sarcophagi of the Legnica-Brzeg dukes are displayed alongside copies of the tomb monuments of Piasts from other Silesian lines. Art lovers will also find something for themselves here – the permanent exhibition features Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque works from the collections of the National Museum in Wrocław.

Another must-see is the cycle of twelve paintings telling the story of Moses, created in 1545 by the Italian painter Giovanni Pinotti. A visit to the museum is not only an encounter with history, but also an opportunity to stroll through the impressive courtyard and experience the unique atmosphere of a former princely residence.

Day 3:

• District Museum in Nysa

The District Museum is housed in the impressive Baroque residence of the bishops of Wrocław. From the Middle Ages onwards, the Duchy of Nysa remained under their rule, and during the Reformation, when Wrocław came under Protestant influence, the bishops made Nysa their main seat. The residence impresses not only with its monumental architecture, but also with interiors full of history, which can be explored while learning about the life and history of the city in centuries past.

Founded in 1897, the museum is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Silesia. Its collections present a rich array of art – from European painting and sculpture to everyday objects from different periods. A large part of the exhibition is devoted to the history of Nysa – visitors can see archaeological artefacts, documents and mementoes that tell the story of the city’s development from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Touring the museum, one can sense the atmosphere of old Nysa and travel back in time, discovering both the everyday life of its inhabitants and the city’s political significance.

Additional attractions include temporary exhibitions, as well as the historic entrance hall and courtyard, which are themselves worth a stroll. In the courtyard, visitors can notice carefully preserved sundials and, among the relics gathered there, monumental wooden sculptures from the façade of a nearby church, as well as boundary stones from the bishops’ Duchy of Nysa. Every detail tells its own story, and a walk through the courtyard and museum interiors allows visitors to experience the unique atmosphere of a former episcopal residence and discover the treasures of Silesian history.

Tipy v okolí

Places of interest:

• Brzeg Town Hall
• Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Brzeg
• Museum of Polish Song in Opole
• Opole Zoo
• Museum of Opole Silesia together with the Tenement House Museum in Opole
• Basilica of St. James the Apostle and St. Agnes together with the Treasury of St. James
• Fort Prussia in Nysa

Tipy na ubytování

Recommended accommodation nearby:

• Hotel DeSilva in Opole
• Hotel Mercure in Opole
• Hotel Weneda in Opole
• Hotel Szara Willa in Opole
• Hotel Piast in Opole

Tipy na stravování

Recommended restaurants nearby:

• Wozownia Restaurant in Brzeg
• Piastowska Restaurant (Hotel Piast) in Opole
• Gryfne Gary Restaurant in Opole
• Regionalne Doznania Restaurant in Opole
• VegeQuchnia Bistro in Opole (vegetarian cuisine)
• Quchnia Bistro in Opole