Among the most interesting monuments that have not survived to our times is undoubtedly the Bolesławiec castle. No engraving, graphic, or any other depiction of the castle has survived. The outlines of the castle walls are partially visible in two graphics by FJB. Werner from the first half of the 18th century, depicting a panorama of the entire town.
The castle was most probably built during the reign of Duke Bolko II of Świdnica-Jawor in the mid-14th century. Characteristically, the castle was not built on the site of the former castellany stronghold, but in an entirely new area very close to the town, from which it was separated by a moat. The incorporation of the castle into the urban system eventually caused conflict with the Bolesławiec patriciate, for whom the castle was a symbol of dependence on ducal authority.
In 1502, King Vladislaus II Jagiellon settled the dispute between the Town Council and the castle concerning the passage connecting the castle with the town and the rear gate, which were consequently bricked up. In 1564, the town bought its freedom from subjection to the castle for the sum of 2,400 thalers, and in 1620 it acquired the castle itself for 10,000 thalers. Fate did not allow the town to enjoy its new acquisition for long, however. In 1642, the castle was destroyed during the fighting of the Thirty Years’ War, after which it fell into ruin, allowing poorer townspeople to systematically carry away the castle’s building materials.
In 1752, the Town Council transferred the ruin to the Protestant community, which within a few years erected an Evangelical church on the former castle property, the present Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Castle Square.