Old Castle in Płoty

The Old Castle in Płoty is a stronghold on the Rega River, rebuilt after the war. Today it houses a public library and a social welfare centre, and of the medieval building the lower storeys of the tower and a fragment of the wall have survived.

From a stronghold to a residence

The first defensive structure on this site was a 12th-century stronghold on the Rega. In 1277 the knight Dobiesław Wotuch erected a four-storey tower here on a platform surrounded by a moat. The castle was ruled in turn by the Wedels, the Heydebrecks and the von der Ostens, who raised the walls to 6 metres. In 1465 burghers of Kołobrzeg attacked the castle and ruined it, and the Ostens rebuilt it. From 1577 it belonged to the Blüchers, who rebuilt it into a Renaissance family residence.

Fire and rebuilding

At the end of the 18th century the southern part of the complex was pulled down, and in 1860 the castle was consumed by fire. It remained a ruin until the post-war period. It was rebuilt in 1959-1967 for municipal cultural institutions, including the library. On this occasion the original wall paintings in the rooms were destroyed.

What to see

The most impressive is the ground-floor chamber known as the Knights' Hall, with vaults and an architectural fireplace. Two plaques are set into the façade: one on the rebuilding of the castle with funds from the Social Fund for the Reconstruction of the Capital, and one on the 70th anniversary of the public library in Płoty. The town's other castle, the New Castle, stands 300 metres away.

Practical information

• Address: Zamkowa 2, Płoty.
• The building serves official and library functions; check the library's hours and the possibility of seeing the interiors with the manager.