Poland is well known for its castles. Most of these castles were built centuries ago and it’s truly amazing that they have withstood so many burnings and wars.
Polish Royal Castle
The Polish Royal Castle is located in Warsaw. It was designed by architect Giovanni Battista Trevano. Construction began in 1598 and it wasn’t complete until 1619. In 1939, the Castle burnt after a German bombing. In 1944, it was destroyed on Hitler’s orders, with only the ground floor left standing. In 1971, restoration efforts began and it was completed in 1974 with the finishing touches added in 1988. Today, the Polish Royal Castle is a national museum and monument.
Wawel Royal Castle
The Wawel Royal Castle is located in Cracow. It was originally constructed sometime in the 11th century in the Romanesque style. In the 14th century imposing Gothic additions were made by Ladislas the Short and Casimir the Great. In the 16th century, King Sigismind I the Old refurbished the castle again into a Renaissance palace and it became the heart of the Polish kingdom for awhile. In 1595, part of the palace burned down and it was rebuilt. A few years later, the king moved to Warsaw. The castle was abandoned and invaded by many armies. Today, the Wawel Royal Castle houses The National Art of Poland.
Zamek Ujazdowski Castle
The Zamek Ujazdowski Castle in Warsaw started out as a small wooden castle in the 14th century built to protect Poland from Lithuanian invasions. In 1548, the queen rebuilt it into a stone residence, and in 1624, King Sigmund III built it up into a castle to use as a summer residence. The Swedish army burned it down in 1655. The castle was rebuilt and served as a military hospital during World War I. It was burned again in 1944, demolished in 1953, and reconstructed again in 1988. Today, the Zamek Ujazdowski Castle is the Centre for Contemporary Art.
Wilanów Castle
The Wilanów Castle was the summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski from 1674-1696. Its name comes from the Italian words “villa nuova” because it is actually a miniature version of Versailles. In 1805, Stanislaw Kotska Potocki established it as a museum and it now belongs to the state.
Lublin Castle
The Lublin Castle was built in the 12th century. During Casimir the Just’s reign, he used it as a stronghold and defensive tower. The upper section was built in the 13th century and a brick castle went up around it in the 14th century. In 1520, Sigismund the Old initiated a reconstruction of the castle in order to live in it and the Parliament began holding meetings there in 1569. From 1939 to 1944, it was turned into a Nazi prison where thousands of people were executed. Today, it is the Lublin Museum.
Ostrogski Castle
The Ostrogski Castle in Warsaw was built in the 16th century by the aristocratic Ostrogski family. A town grew up around it and it became a seat of local parliament. In 1655, the Swedish army damaged the castle. It was later bought by Jan Gniski in 1681 and restored. In 1820, Michal Gajewski bought it. The castle was turned into a music conservatory in 1859 before it was burned by the Nazis in 1944. Reconstruction of the Ostrogski Castle was completed in 1954.
Castle of Uniejow
The Castle of Uniejow was built between 1360 and 1365 upon request from Archbishop Jaros?aw Bogoria Skotnicki. A wooden castle stood there as a part of a defense system. It was used as a place to store jewels. In the 17th century, it was rebuilt. After Prussia took over the region in the 18th century, it was abandoned until it was rediscovered. A Russian general and his family later occupied it. In 1918, after Poland gained independence, the castle served as a high school. Today, the Castle of Uniejow is a hotel, conference center, and café.
Kornik Castle
The Kornik Castle was built sometime in the 15th century. It was inherited in 1801 by the Dzia?y?ski family. The castle had been rebuilt multiple times during these years, each time by a different noble family who lived there. When the head of the Dzia?y?ski family passed away, his son completed the renovations, but had to flee the country. In 1880, it was inherited by Wladyslaw Zamoyski who gave it to the Polish nation. In 1924, a foundation known as Zak?ady Kórnickie managed it, and it is now a museum.
?a?cut Castle
One of the best preserved Polish castles, the ?a?cut Castle was built from 1629 to 1642 for Voivode of Cracow Stanislaw Lubomirski. From the 19th century onwards, it was a private residence of the Potocki family. After World War II, the castle was nationalized after negotiations between the Polish government and the Potocki family. It is now a state-owned museum.
Malbork Castle
Built in 1275, the Malbork Castle was built by theTeutonic Order of Holy Mary in Jerusalem which was a Germanic knight order sent in 1225 to convert the locals into Christians. In 1475, it was taken by the Polish army and the kings lived there until 1772, when Prussia took it. Soon, it fell into disrepair. From 1803 up to 1940, there were a number of renovations to restore it. Today, it’s the Malbork Castle Museum.
Brzeg Castle
The Brzeg Castle was built near the small town of Brzeg in the 13th century to be the primary residence of the Princes of Silesia. It was used in that capacity all the way up until 1675 when it was damaged and partly rebuilt in the Renaissance style. In 1741, the King of Prussia bombarded the castle, attempting to destroy it. It was also severely damaged during World War II. After the war, the Brzeg Castle was eventually rebuilt. Now, it houses a museum.
Ksi?? Castle
The Ksi?? Castle is one of the largest existing aristocratic residences in Poland. It was first built as a Gothic castle during the 13th century as a private residence. In the 16th century, it was rebuilt by the Hochberg family so they could reside there. It remained theirs until 1945 when Hitler entertained the thought of residing there. It is now a combination of museum, restaurant, and hotel.
Pieskowa Ska?a Castle
The Pieskowa Skala Castle was built in 1315 after funding from King Kazimierz the Great. In the 15th century, it was expanded into a stately residence. It was privately owned for a very long time and largely escaped the attacks suffered by other castles. It is now a museum that houses a large collection of art from the 15th century.
Go?ub-Dobrzy? Castle
Another castle built by the Teutonic Order of Holy Mary in Jerusalem, the Go?ub-Dobrzy? Castle was constructed between 1293 and 1310. In 1466, it came under possession of the Polish kings. It was attacked during the Swedish invasion of 1655 and burnt. Today, it is still partly a ruin but hosts an International Knights Tournament.
Lidzbark Warmi?ski Castle
The Lidzbark Warmi?ski Castle was constructed in the 14th century to be the seat of the Warmia bishops, and the capital of the entire region. It was placed in between two rivers near the town of Lidzbark Warminski. In the 16th century, a young Nicholas Copernicus called it home and in the 18th century, poet Ignacy Krasicki was a residing bishop. It is now a museum.