There were human settlements on the Castle Hill as early as the 5th century B.C., and at the turn of the 11th century this defensive point on the Olza had become the seat of a border castellany of the Piast Kingdom, and later the Gothic castle of the Cieszyn Princes. Although the Cieszyn castle lost its political significance when the Piast line died out in the middle of the 17th century, it nonetheless retained its central position in the town.
      After the Piast line died out in 1653 the Habsburgs became the owners of the duchy and the castle. They showed little interest in the castle which fell into ruin as a result of their neglect. In 1840 a hunting residence (also known as the lower castle) and an orangery were built below the Piast castle. Exotic fruits meant for the emperor’s table were grown in the orangery. After the First World War various state institutions were based in the hunting residence.