Dry Moat and Bridge

The easiest approach to the castle was from the south-east. Here the rocky spur joined the rest of the ridge, while steep slopes provided natural protection on other sides. The entrance defences were concentrated along this approach. The dry moat was cut into granite. This artificial ditch added another obstacle to the rocky surroundings. It is one example of how the bedrock itself was worked during the construction of Bolczów.

A drawbridge once crossed the moat. It led to the barbican and gate, the next elements in the entrance defences. A new bridge outside the gate was built in 1965 during conservation work on the ruins. Rubble and vegetation were cleared at the same time, and wall tops were repaired. Today’s entrance therefore also reflects post-war conservation, rather than preserving the mechanism of the former drawbridge.