Otmuchów is a historic town picturesquely situated between the lakes Otmuchowskie and Nyskie. Until the nineteenth century, it was the property of Wrocław bishops, and the castle and the old town, surrounded by the remains of defensive walls, survived during their reign.
The history of the city dates back to the 12th century, when one of the first castellan strongholds in this area was located here. In the mid-12th century, it was handed over to the bishops of Wrocław, who remained its owners until the beginning of the 19th century. In the 13th century, the construction of a castle began on the site of the former wooden stronghold. After multiple reconstructions, it obtained its present appearance only in the Baroque era. To this day, only a part of the entire complex has survived, in which you can see the intermingling of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist elements.
In addition to the castle in Otmuchów, you can also visit the old town. From the Middle Ages, it was surrounded by city walls, of which small fragments have remained to this day, and the Wróbel Gate, a Gothic tower with one of the entrances leading to the city. The heart of the city is the market square with the town hall in Otmuchów, the most characteristic element of which is a polygonal tower topped with a baroque cupola. The most important monuments include the Church of St. Nicholas and Francis Xavier.
A big attraction of Otmuchów are the dam lakes located in its vicinity. The Otmuchowskie Lake and the Nyskie Lake are primarily retention functions. On their shores, there are also separate places for rest and recreation, including the Skorochów beach, as well as walking and cycling paths. Near the dam on Lake Otmuchowskie, you can visit a nature reserve where gray herons live.
