Abandoned Castles and Palaces Photography Workshop in Lower Silesia 2026. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
Exploring the Forgotten Grandeur of Silesia’s Noble Residences
Hidden in the gentle hills and forested plains of Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk) in Poland, the remnants of a once-glorious past still stand — castles and palaces that whisper stories of power, beauty, and decay. Once at the heart of Central Europe’s noble life, these grand residences now linger between splendour and ruin, their faded walls bearing silent witness to a turbulent history.
Abandoned Castles and Palaces Photography Workshop in Lower Silesia 2026. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
This workshop invites you to explore and photograph these extraordinary places — to step into the quiet corridors of time, capture their melancholic beauty, and reflect on the fragile dialogue between history and impermanence. Through your lens, you will document not only architecture, but also the passage of centuries etched into stone, wood, and light.
Workshop Overview
Dates: Tuesday, 16 June – Sunday, 21 June 2026
Base: Zamek Kliczków, Lower Silesia, Poland
Early Bird Registration: Available for registrations before 16 March 2026
Registration Deadline: 16 March 2026
Click here to view a large gallery of photographs from Lower Silesia.
What You Can Expect
During this workshop, you will photograph a wide range of castles and palaces across Lower Silesia, spanning styles and eras from the 10th to the 19th centuries. You will journey through beautiful landscapes reminiscent of Central Europe’s Tuscany, capturing architecture set in rolling hills, forests, and serene countryside.
Each location offers 1–3 hours of dedicated photography time, giving you the opportunity to explore, compose, and create the images you want in a relaxed, unhurried manner.
Abandoned Castles and Palaces Photography Workshop in Lower Silesia 2026. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
Travelling in a small group of no more than 5 participants offers the advantage of personal attention and shared inspiration. You will spend your days photographing alongside others who share your passion for visual storytelling, exchanging ideas, and discovering different ways of seeing. For participants seeking guidance, this small group size allows me, as your instructor, to provide all the mentorship and assistance you need while exploring these extraordinary locations.
Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk) is renowned for its historically significant castles and palaces.
Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
Cultural Heritage and the Plethora of Castles and Palaces
Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk) is renowned for its diverse and historically significant landmarks, including castles, palaces, and ancient ruins. These sites reflect the region’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, telling stories of noble life, medieval history, and evolving architectural styles.
The oldest structures date back to the 10th century, while others were built as late as the 19th century. Sadly, many have fallen into ruin due to wars, neglect, and political upheavals. While some have been preserved and restored, many remain abandoned, serving as silent witnesses to centuries of turmoil.
Abandoned Castles and Palaces Photography Workshop in Lower Silesia 2026. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
Lower Silesia has been shaped by a complex history of shifting borders, wars, and political changes. From incorporation into the Polish Kingdom in 990, through periods under Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, and Germany, to its post-WWII integration into modern Poland, the region’s palaces and castles have endured cycles of prosperity and decay.
Abandoned Castles and Palaces Photography Workshop in Lower Silesia 2026. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
The post-war communist era saw many palaces repurposed for practical use — administrative offices, schools, or communal farms — often leading to neglect and deterioration. Limited conservation policies, exposure to the elements, and changing social priorities further contributed to the decline of these magnificent buildings. Today, they stand as evocative symbols of a once-glorious past, offering photographers a rare window into Central Europe’s cultural heritage.
Abandoned Castles and Palaces Photography Workshop in Lower Silesia 2026. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
What You Can Expect from Me
You can expect me to be fully present throughout the workshop — guiding, assisting, and sharing my knowledge of composition, light, and visual storytelling. My approach is to help you refine your personal photographic expression while deepening your understanding of place and moment.
During this workshop, you will photograph a wide range of castles and palaces across Lower Silesia, spanning styles and eras from the 10th to the 19th centuries.
Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
I have made thorough preparations for this workshop, including many travels to explore the castles and palaces of Lower Silesia, so I can take you to the very best locations for photography.
The workshop days begin at 9:00 in the morning and continue as long as daylight allows. Each evening, we will gather for dinner at the restaurant in Zamek Kliczków, sharing stories and reflecting on the day’s photographic discoveries. On the final night, we stay in Wrocław, a city celebrated as one of Europe’s most beautiful.
This workshop is much more than photography alone. Along the way, you will gain a deeper understanding of Poland’s rich history, both past and more recent, and see how these castles and palaces stand as silent witnesses to centuries of prosperity and decline, conflict and peace.
Forlatte slott og palass i Polen. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
Practical Information
Dates: Tuesday, 16 June – Sunday, 21 June 2026
Early Bird Registration: Available for registrations before 16 March 2026
Registration Deadline: 16 March 2026
Location and Accommodation
Zamek Kliczków
Kliczków 8
59-724 Osiecznica
Poland
Instructor
Bjørn Joachimsen
Email: bjorn.joachimsen@mac.com
WhatsApp: +47 95175579
Teaching Language
Norwegian and English
Transport
You do not need to rent your own car for the workshop.
Accommodation
16–20 June: Zamek Kliczków, Osiecznica.
20–21 June: Hotel Śląsk, Wrocław. (Booking information will be provided later.)
You should wait to send your booking request to Zamek Kliczków until you have received confirmation of your workshop spot. Then book accommodation by emailing rezerwacja@kliczkow.com.pl and referencing 25/009419.
Price for single-use room at Zamek Kliczków, including breakfast and dinner: 2,036 PLN
Please avoid booking via online agents or the hotel’s booking system directly, as rooms for the group are pre-reserved by the workshop organizer.
Participation Fee
EUR 850 – early bird registration before 16 March 2026
EUR 950 – registration 16 March 2026 or later
The participation fee covers all photographic tuition and guidance during the workshop.
A deposit of EUR 200 is payable after registration. You will receive an invoice by email, so please wait to pay until you have received it. The deposit is non-refundable in case of cancellation by the participant. Advance payments are refunded if the workshop is cancelled by the organiser.
Not included:
Accommodation for five nights (Zamek Kliczków and Hotel Śląsk)
Breakfast and dinner at Zamek Kliczków; breakfast at Hotel Śląsk
Flights to/from Wrocław
Lunches, drinks, and travel insurance
Number of Participants
Maximum 5 participants.
Enrollment
You can access the registration form by clicking the button below:
Dates / Itinerary Overview
16–21 June 2026
The workshop begins Tuesday, 16 June at 12:00 at Wrocław–Copernicus Airport and concludes Sunday, 21 June at 09:00 at the same location.
Tuesday, 16 June
12:00 – Arrival at Wrocław–Copernicus Airport
12:30 – Departure from Wrocław; photography stops en route to Zamek Kliczków
18:00 – Arrival and check-in at Zamek Kliczków
19:30 – Dinner
Wednesday–Friday, 17–19 June
08:00 – Breakfast
09:00 – Depart for photo excursions (castles and palaces in the region)
19:30 – Dinner at Zamek Kliczków
Saturday, 20 June
08:00 – Breakfast and departure
Daytime – Photography in the Wrocław region and Old Town
19:30 – Dinner in Wrocław
21:30 – Overnight at Hotel Śląsk
Sunday, 21 June
07:00 – Breakfast
09:00 – Workshop ends at Wrocław–Copernicus Airport
The itinerary may be subject to minor changes.
Currency and Payment
The currency in Poland is PLN/złoty. Euros are generally not accepted. Most places accept Visa or other electronic payment methods, but mobile payment apps like Vipps cannot be used. It is recommended to have some cash available during the workshop. ATMs are available at Sandefjord Airport (Torp) and in Wrocław.
What to Bring
Comfortable shoes
Clothing suitable for varying weather conditions (check the forecast before departure)
Camera with any additional lenses and accessories you have. Contact the instructor if unsure about your equipment
Extra camera batteries
Camera filters (if you use them)
Tripod, possibly also a monopod
Laptop, Mac, or tablet if you wish to edit photos during the workshop (optional)
Contact the instructor in advance if you plan to leave some camera equipment at home
About the Instructor
Bjørn Joachimsen works as a photographer in many European countries, including Norway, Sweden, Poland, Austria, Croatia, Italy, and Spain. He unfolds his energy and creativity across a wide field of photographic genres, including documentary, portraiture, landscape, street photography, and architecture with both digital and analogue cameras.
Bjørn has extensive experience leading workshops in Poland, including both Lower and Upper Silesia, and is always present for his participants, sharing knowledge, inspiration, and practical guidance throughout each workshop.
Bjørn Joachimsen.
Images from Lower Silesia
