Photo Gallery » Srebrna Gora

I arrived in Srebrna Góra from Bielawa early in the morning, shortly after sunrise. The plan was simple - to photograph and film the famous fortress from above. But before I made it to the hilltop, I stopped for a moment in the village itself. The morning light lit up the historic buildings, and the narrow valley, with its charming houses and churches surrounded by hills, looked as if time had stopped here several centuries ago. I came to photograph the fortress, but it was the village that stole my heart first. I flew through one battery and couldn’t stop taking photos - the place looked like it was taken straight from a postcard. Then I headed up the hill to admire the largest mountain fortress in Europe. Below are a few drone shots from that morning.

Srebrna Góra from above

Srebrna Góra from above makes a stunning impression. A narrow valley surrounded by hills hides a small village with historic buildings that look as if time has stood still. Picturesque rooftops, narrow streets, and churches blend harmoniously with the surrounding nature. Towering above it all is the monumental Srebrna Góra Fortress - the largest mountain stronghold in Europe. Its position at the top of the hill emphasizes its former role as a watchpoint. From this perspective, you can clearly see how history and landscape come together in perfect harmony.

Panorama of Srebrna Góra

As I drove up the hill to the village on that beautiful June morning, I felt as if I had traveled back in time. The calm, old walls, narrow streets, and surrounding hills created an atmosphere that’s hard to put into words. When I lifted the drone above the valley, I was captivated not only by the view itself but also by the coherence of the entire architecture. Stylish houses, churches, and the fortress dominating everything formed a harmonious whole. It’s one of those places that looks even more beautiful from the air than from the ground.

Attractions in Lower Silesia

Lower Silesia is one of the most fascinating regions in Poland - full of contrasts, rich history, and stunning landscapes. Within a relatively small area, you can find castles and palaces, charming towns, historical industrial sites, old mines, mysterious underground tunnels, as well as mountains, forests, and picturesque valleys. This is where you’ll find the largest mountain fortress in Europe - Srebrna Góra, a unique 18th-century structure. Just a few dozen kilometers away, you can visit Książ Castle, admire the baroque architecture of Wrocław, or get lost among the palaces of the Jelenia Góra Valley. Lower Silesia is also home to the Karkonosze, Table, Owl, and Bardzkie Mountains - perfect for hiking and active outdoor adventures. We keep coming back here to discover more incredible places - old mines, caves, mountain trails, and beautiful historic towns that continue to surprise us with their charm. It’s a region you’ll want to return to. And every time, you’ll find something new to explore.

Srebrna Góra Fortress

Srebrna Góra Fortress (Festung Silberberg), the largest mountain stronghold in Europe, was built very quickly - in just 12 years (1765–1777). The project was designed by the Prussian engineer Ludwig Wilhelm Regler and modified by King Frederick the Great himself. The fortress consists of six forts located on two hills, with a donjon - the largest structure of its kind in Europe. It was self-sufficient and prepared for a prolonged siege, equipped with 264 cannons and accommodations for over 3,700 soldiers.

Getting to the Fortress in Srebrna Góra

You can reach the parking lot at Przełęcz Srebrna via road number 385, both from the side of Srebrna Góra and Ząbkowice Śląskie, as well as from the side of Nowa Ruda. The parking lots are paid, and I marked the spot where we left the car on Google Maps. From there, it’s about a 1-kilometer uphill walk to the fortress, which takes around 20 minutes. The route goes through a picturesque mountain valley, and along the way, you can solve prepared puzzles that entertain both children and adults.

Visiting the Fortress

It is best to visit the fortress with a guide, who will take you on a tour of the most interesting parts of the fortress: the donjon, underground casemates, artillery positions, the soldiers’ quarters, and the ruins of the hospital. The guides tell fascinating stories about the history of the fortifications and the lives of the soldiers, and at the end they present a demonstration shot with black powder weapons, which leaves a strong impression. For foreign visitors, there is also a route with an audio guide and multimedia attractions - film projections, virtual puzzles, dioramas, and more, which help to better discover the fortress’s secrets and feel the atmosphere of those times. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes - it can be cold in the fortress’s underground areas, and the terrain on the hill is uneven. You can bring your dog, but please keep it on a leash.

How long does it take to visit Srebrna Gora

A standard guided tour takes about 70 minutes, but it’s worth setting aside more time to explore all the corners of the fortress at your own pace and enjoy the views. You should also add around 20 minutes to walk up from the parking lot and another 20 minutes to return, so the walk itself adds an extra 40 minutes. There is a souvenir shop inside the fortress - if you're visiting with children, it’s good to plan a moment for choosing small gifts. There’s also a restaurant on site, so after the tour you can grab something to eat or drink.

How to Photograph Architecture

Photographing architecture is a bit like photographing people - perspective is key. To avoid optical distortions, it's best to shoot from about halfway up the subject. For people, that’s roughly at waist level; for buildings, around half their height. This way, you don’t have to tilt the camera up or down, which is when perspective issues start to appear: walls begin to converge and proportions get distorted. If such distortions do occur, they can be corrected later in a graphic editing program. But the best approach is to avoid them altogether - and that’s where a drone comes in handy. With it, you can easily place yourself exactly where you need to be to capture architecture as it truly looks.

Srebrna Góra - Town Center

Today, Srebrna Góra is a quiet village nestled in a valley, but its history dates back to the 14th century, when it was founded as a mining settlement extracting silver ore. As early as 1331, it received its first mining privileges, and development accelerated after 1370, when experienced miners from Złoty Stok arrived in the area. In 1536, Srebrna Góra (Silberberg or Selberbarg) was granted town rights, and four years later it received its coat of arms. Unfortunately, the silver deposits began to run out, and mining became increasingly unprofitable. After the Thirty Years’ War, mining operations ceased altogether, and the town fell into decline. In the 20th century, the settlement came under Polish administration and was initially named "Srebrnogóra." Eventually, the name was changed to "Srebrna Góra," a direct translation of the original German name. Its town rights were revoked, but the preserved urban layout and historic architecture still remind us that this was once a fully functioning town. Walking through the center of Srebrna Góra today, you can still feel echoes of its former glory - in the street layout, architectural details, and the atmosphere of a place where time seems to have stood still.

Historic Monuments in Srebrna Góra

he provincial register of monuments includes, among others, the urban layout of the Old Town, the parish church of St. Peter and Paul from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the former rectory at 6 Letnia Street. The list of monuments also includes the evangelical church from the late 16th century, the massive Srebrna Góra Fortress built between 1763 and 1777, Villa Hubertus, formerly known as the “Pod Fortami” Hostel, as well as Adit No. 2 - a remnant of the former silver mine. It is also worth paying attention to the engineering structures related to the Sowie Mountains cog railway.

Fort Srebrna Gora

The most famous landmark in Srebrna Góra is undoubtedly the Fortress on Warowna Mountain, which stands at an altitude of 686 meters above sea level. Although the fortress was designed as a powerful defensive stronghold for Silesia and was prepared for months-long sieges, in practice it was attacked only once - during the Napoleonic Wars. It never fulfilled its military role to the fullest extent, but its scale and well-thought-out design still impress to this day. The fortress was fully self-sufficient. Inside, it housed vast storage rooms, a bakery, a brewery, an armory, a hospital, a prison, a chapel, and various workshops. There were also stables, livestock buildings, and its own water supply. It was estimated that the stockpiles of fuel, food, and ammunition could last for several months of siege. Thanks to this, Fort Srebrna Góra could function independently from the outside world - like a self-contained city on top of the mountain.

Urban Layout of the Old Town

The Old Town in Srebrna Góra has preserved its historic layout, which recalls the times when the settlement served as an important mining and trading center. Srebrna Góra held town rights from 1536 until the mid-20th century, which left a clear mark on its urban space. Narrow streets, small squares, and a regular parcel arrangement create a coherent and legible structure that allows one to imagine the lives of the inhabitants centuries ago. Walking through this part of the village is like a journey back in time, where every townhouse and cobblestone street tells its own story.

The Market Square in Srebrna Góra

The Market Square in Srebrna Góra is a small square located in front of the church, which has preserved its historic character and layout. It is a peaceful place where you can feel the atmosphere of the old town. On the square, there is a fountain illuminated in the evenings, creating a pleasant ambiance. On one of the benches by the fountain, you can see a figure of a seated Napoleonic soldier dressed in a uniform faithfully reflecting historical details.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is a Roman Catholic parish church. The first version of the church was wooden and was built in 1709. The current brick building was constructed between 1729 and 1731. After damage caused by a fire in 1807, the church was rebuilt between 1808 and 1818, with further renovations carried out in the 20th century, in 1963 and 1975. It is a modest Baroque structure with an oriented layout, consisting of a single nave and a slightly separated chancel, covered by a gable roof. The central element of the façade is a massive tower topped with a domed helmet, flanked by two chapels. The interior stands out for its rich decoration in late Baroque and Classical styles, featuring an altar from 1808, a pulpit, a baptismal font, and a wooden organ case. The nave is covered with a sail vault, while the other parts of the church have barrel vaults with ribs.

Former Evangelical Church

The former Protestant church in Srebrna Góra has a long history marked by destruction and reconstruction. The first church was built here at the end of the 16th century but was destroyed by fire and later wartime events. The current building dates back to the early 19th century, with its tower added shortly thereafter. After World War II, the church ceased to be used and gradually fell into disrepair. In the second half of the 20th century, the building was listed as a historic monument and later converted into a tourist hotel. In recent years, another renovation was carried out, transforming the former church into a theater hall and a venue for cultural events.

Bardzkie and Sowie Mountains

The Bardzkie and Sowie Mountains are part of the Central Sudetes and are located in the Lower Silesia region of southwestern Poland. The Bardzkie Mountains are the easternmost range within this part of the Sudetes. They stretch for about 20 kilometers, with a width ranging from 6 to 10 kilometers. The highest peak in this relatively small range is Szeroka Góra, reaching 765 meters above sea level. The Sowie Mountains, on the other hand, are larger and more diverse in landscape. They extend over 25 kilometers (around 35 kilometers along the main ridge) and cover an area of approximately 200 square kilometers. The highest peak is Wielka Sowa, rising to 1,015 meters, known for its distinctive stone observation tower. The two ranges are separated by the Srebrna Pass, and just above it, on the summit of Warowna Góra, stands the monumental Srebrna Góra Fortress - an 18th-century stronghold, considered one of the largest mountain fortifications of its kind in Europe.

Hiking and Outdoor Trails in Srebrna Góra

Srebrna Góra is an excellent starting point for those who enjoy hiking, cycling, or horseback riding. Several marked trails pass through the village, leading through forests, valleys, and along the ridges of the Sowie and Bardzkie Mountains. These routes offer not only scenic views but also the chance to discover lesser-known, yet atmospheric locations. Among the most popular hiking trails are those leading to Wielka Sowa - the highest peak of the Sowie Mountains - and to the town of Bardo via the Wilcza Pass. Along the way, you can encounter remnants of old mines, scenic viewpoints, and traces of historical military infrastructure. The area around Srebrna Góra is also a paradise for cyclists. It includes sections of the Sowie Mountains Cycling Route and parts of longer regional trails. There are gravel roads perfect for relaxed rides, as well as more challenging tracks for MTB enthusiasts. Horseback riders will also find designated equestrian trails, running through forest paths and meadows, far from the hustle and bustle - ideal for peaceful and safe riding in beautiful natural surroundings. It’s a great destination for anyone who enjoys active time in the mountains.

Hotel Srebrna Gora

A charming hostel operates within the fortress grounds, offering over 60 beds. Stylish 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-person rooms as well as a 10-person apartment make it a great option for couples, families, and larger groups. Each room has its own bathroom, ensuring a comfortable rest after a day full of experiences. It’s a perfect base for those who want to stay longer and enjoy the area’s attractions - both during the day and in the evening. Staying overnight at the fortress also offers a unique opportunity to take part in a night tour of the stronghold. On-site, the Donżon Restaurant continues the culinary traditions of the "belle époque" era. Guests can enjoy homemade cakes, Italian coffee, regional beers, wines, and other beverages. The glass-walled kitchen and dining area set in 18th-century walls make every meal not just a break, but a memorable experience.

Photos of Srebrna Góra

My photos of Srebrna Góra can be used in various promotional materials - from tourist brochures and websites to posters, calendars, postcards, or advertising merchandise. The images available on this site can also be ordered as prints on paper or canvas. Such a photo will make an eye-catching decoration for your interior or add a unique touch to a guesthouse, café, or holiday rental. If you’re interested in purchasing a license, please feel free to contact me.