Góra Zamkowa (360 m a.s.l., Svatokřížské hory)

About peak Góra Zamkowa

Polsko

Logged on Vrcholovka 1x in total. Vrchol Góra Zamkowa was added here by Milda.

Góra Zamkowa (360 m a.s.l.) is part of the Crown of the Holy Cross Mountains. The badge "Crown of the Holy Cross Mountains" is a regional badge of PTTK Świętokrzyskie branch in Kielce. [https://kgs.info.pl/]
It is the highest point of the Chęcin range, which stretches from the Wierna Rzeka (Łososina) valley in the west to Góra Zamkowa with the ruins of the medieval castle in Chęciny in the east. It is composed of Devonian limestone, which has been quarried for centuries on the western and eastern sides of the mountain. It was used, among other things, for the construction of the defensive castle on the summit. In the past, lead ore was also mined here. Galena, or lead sulfide, which was mined here, also contained small amounts of silver.
The construction of the Chęciny castle was probably initiated by the Kraków bishop Jan Muskata on the orders of the Polish and Czech king Wenceslaus II. This took place at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. At that time, the upper part of the castle with two round towers was built. During archaeological research conducted in 2013, remnants of a tower were discovered, which may be the oldest element of the castle's development. In 1305, after the death of Wenceslaus II, the castle was taken over by Duke Władysław Łokietek. During Władysław Łokietek's reign, the stronghold was considered one of the safest in the Polish lands. In 1318, Archbishop Janisław, fearing an invasion by German knights, deposited the treasury of the Hlezno Cathedral in the castle. Under the rule of Casimir the Great, the castle was expanded. At that time, the two upper towers were raised with brick floors. The lower part with the square tower was built around 1476. In the 16th century, the castle became famous as the residence of Queen Bona, who gathered her treasures here after the death of King Sigismund I the Old.
Despite being damaged during the Zebrzydowski Uprising in 1607, the Swedish Deluge in the mid-17th century, and the Great Northern War in 1707, the building survived until the Third Polish Republic. After the third partition of Poland, the castle began to deteriorate. Today, as a secured, permanent ruin, it is accessible to visitors. It is worth climbing to the observation terraces at the tops of the two towers (during my visit, only the western tower was accessible due to repairs), from where beautiful panoramas open up.
Several hiking trails lead to the castle hill, including a yellow trail named after Juliusz Braun from Chęciny to Wierna Rzeka.

Chalet/accommodation

Both at the castle and at the parking lot below the castle, there are various stalls with refreshments.

Stroller access

You can reach the castle and the summit with a stroller, but there are many stairs at the castle.

Views

There are views from the peak.

Cable car

There is no cable car to this peak.

Equipment

No special equipment is required for this summit.

Accessibility

The summit is freely accessible, but entry to the castle is only during opening hours and is subject to a fee.

Nearest peaks: Zelejowa (372 m,  2.6 km)