The castle was built on the site of a 13th-century Pomeranian hillfort.
The Knights Hospitaller purchased the site in 1345, significantly expanding the fortifications.
During the Thirteen Years' War, the castle was briefly occupied by Polish forces.
The original masonry consists largely of fieldstone combined with brick elements in the later phases.
The site features a permanent exhibition dedicated to torture tools and medieval weaponry.
Drahim Castle in Stare Drawsko is a 14th-century fortress established by the Knights Hospitaller on an isthmus between Drawsko and Żerdno lakes. It served as a strategic defensive point and a customs station on the route between the Pomeranian and Greater Poland regions. The ruins currently feature partially preserved curtain walls and a reconstructed residential wing. Archaeological excavations on the site have uncovered medieval ceramics and remnants of earlier Slavic strongholds. The structure is privately managed and functions as a historical site and museum. The ruins incorporate a distinctive layout defined by the natural constraints of the surrounding water bodies.
The viewing point on the southern side of the fortress looking back at the main gatehouse and walls reflected in the water.
Wear sturdy, flat-soled shoes as the terrain within the castle grounds is uneven and grassy.
Bring insect repellent, as the proximity to two large lakes often results in a high mosquito population during summer months.
Explore the walking path along the shoreline of Lake Drawsko for the best perspective of the fortress walls rising from the water.
Do not attempt to access the ruins outside of the designated visitor path or after closing hours, as the perimeter is restricted.
Open seasonally from spring through late autumn; typically closed during the winter months.
Avoid climbing on the exposed masonry or unreinforced wall ruins for safety and preservation reasons.
