Szlaki województw śląskiego i opolskiego

The Oppersdorff Castle in Głogówekis a former ducal and knightly residence. The erection of the stronghold was initiated by Duke Władysław of Opole at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. In the second half of the 16th century, the castle passed into the possession of the Oppersdorff family, during whose time the building acquired a Mannerist and Baroque style, and currently constitutes an example of residential and defensive architecture. The castle – located on an escarpment rising above the valley of the Osobłogariver – consists of two parts connected to each other (from the north side) – the upper and lower castle; both possess three wings of buildings, which form a plan similar to the letter "U". The buildings are not arranged symmetrically: the complex has an irregular spatial layout with an open courtyard. During the Swedish Deluge in 1655, King John Casimir stayed in the castle with his court, and in 1806, Ludwig van Beethoven, fleeing from Napoleonic troops, was a guest there. In 1945, the last of the Oppersdorffs left the castle. In subsequent decades, a youth hostel, regional museum, painting gallery, and cultural center operated in the facility. Practical information: Currently, the facility cannot be visited; you can learn about the history of the castle and Głogówek by visiting the Regional Museum (1 Słowackiego Street). Parking spaces at the Castle Gate (Zamkowa Street). Ludwig van Beethoven, out of gratitude for the hospitality at the castle, dedicated his Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Opus 60, to Count Franz Joachim Oppersdorff. The harpsichord on which Beethoven played was kept by the family as an original souvenir. Currently, it can be seen in the museum at the castle in Pszczyna.