Boberröhrsdorf Tower

The tower, surrounded by a moat, is a keep of a relatively modest sort, which combines the functions of housing, ceremony, and defence in a vertical disposition analogous to those found in other castles in Europe: the lower storeys were designed for defence and for trade and business; the upper floors consisted of living quarters, and fulfilled the ceremonial functions of the dukes; the topmost floor served watching purpose and later for seed stocking.

The history of the Siedlęcin Tower is tightly related to the history of the Piast Dynasty, which ruled over Poland from 960 to 1370. Initially the property of Henri I of Jawor, the tower was built between 1313 and 1315 close to the river Bóbr, in one of the most gold-bearing regions of Europe back then. The second owner was his nefew, Bolko II the Small, duke of Swidnica. After his death, his widow, the duchess Agniezka sold the tower to the courtier Jenchin von Redern. His family kept the tower until the mid 15th century. For the following centuries, the tower had several owners and numerous changes were applied to the building. During the 18th century, it became the property of the von Schaffgotsch's family, who kept it until 1945. During the post-war period, after the redefinition of the borders with Germany, many families were brought from eastern Poland to live in the tower. These families stayed there until the beginning of the 21st century.

1313-1346 | Henri Ist of Jawor 1346-1368 | Bolko II the Small 1368-1369 | Agnes of Habsbourg ca.1369-1409 | Von Redern Family 1409-1437 | Von Schellendorf Family 1437-1452 | Von der Wieze Family 1453-1454 | Von Zedlitz Family 1454-1622 | Von Nimptsch Family 1622-1653 | Princes Legnicko-Brzescy 1653-1945 | Von Schaffgotsch Family