Książ is the third-largest castle in Poland, standing on a rock above a wooded gorge with terraced baroque gardens dropping away beneath it. Its most famous resident was Princess Daisy — an English aristocrat who married into the Hochberg family and became one of the great beauties and characters of pre-war Europe. The place still feels like her story.
1. The garden terraces
Below the castle · Map ↗
Balustrades, clipped hedges, fountains and roses on levels descending toward the gorge, with the castle towering above.
2. The castle courtyard
Main entrance · Map ↗
A grand arrival court with sculpture and stonework — formal and cinematic.
3. The gorge viewpoints
Around the rock · Map ↗
Forested drops and the castle silhouette from below, best in autumn colour.
4. The Palm House
10 minutes away in Wałbrzych · Map ↗
A historic glasshouse of tropical planting — a warm, green, entirely weather-proof alternative.
5. Old Książ ruin & the Czech border hills
Nearby · Map ↗
A romantic ruin above the valley, and the Czech frontier a short drive south.
Daisy's castle
Princess Daisy von Pless brought glamour, a famous pearl necklace and a sharp diary to Książ before the wars swept it all away. The castle leans into her story, and knowing it makes the terraces feel less like scenery and more like a place where lives happened.
Getting there from Czechia
Książ is in Lower Silesia, roughly two and a half hours from Prague via Náchod or Trutnov. It pairs naturally with Kłodzko and the Table Mountains for a Polish-border weekend.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Książ Castle from Prague?
About 200 km, two and a half hours by car through the Czech-Polish border. It sits near Wałbrzych in Lower Silesia.
Are the gardens open to visit?
Yes, the terraces are ticketed and open seasonally, with the castle interiors as a separate visit. The terraces are the best setting for photographs.
When are the gardens at their best?
June for roses and full planting, and October for autumn colour in the gorge below. Winter strips the terraces but shows their architecture clearly.
Can you photograph inside the castle?
Interiors are a ticketed museum with their own rules and organised sessions need arrangement in advance. We plan around the gardens and courtyards unless you specifically want interiors.