The most intriguing castles in Poland
Malbork Castle
The king of Polish castles, officially known as The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, is a definite must-see for any history enthusiasts visiting Poland. You may be surprised to learn that this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be the largest castle in the world by land area. The monumental medieval fortress, which covers over 143,000 square metres, was originally built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century but became one of the Polish royal residences in the 15th century. Nowadays, the Malbork Castle Museum is one of the major tourist attractions in Poland.
Wawel Royal Castle
Speaking of royal residences, we cannot forget about Kraków’s jewel in the crown, the Wawel Royal Castle. Did you know that the city of Kraków is Poland’s former capital? The Wawel Hill used to be the seat and the final resting place of the kings of Poland for centuries. Today, tourists from around the world head to the Wawel Castle Museum to admire Poland’s crown jewels, priceless art collections and archeological artefacts. The castle’s rich interiors have been restored and decorated in Renaissance and Baroque styles to recreate the original appearance of the royal apartments.
Wawel Royal Castle
Did you know that the Wawel Castle is guarded by a dragon?
Find out more about Polish legendary creatures!
Ksi?? Castle
The third largest castle in Poland has changed hands many times over the last seven centuries. Ksi??, whose pink facade could fit perfectly in a Wes Anderson film, was home to the wealthiest noblemen in Europe until it was taken over by the Nazis in the 1940s. It was then that a vast tunnel network was built beneath the castle, allegedly as part of the Nazi project Riese (“Giant”). Today, some of the tunnels are open to the public as a tourist attraction. As the local legend goes, there is a train carrying gold and works of art, hidden somewhere in the underground labyrinth.
Ogrodzieniec Castle
The ruins of the medieval Ogrodzieniec Castle make for a very picturesque view ? no wonder it served as a backdrop for a few film productions, including Netflix’s last year’s hit show “The Witcher”. Although built on the highest hill of the Polish Jura, Ogrodzieniec fell victim to a series of enemy attacks during the Deluge (The Swedish invasion of 1655) and has never been rebuilt since. The castle is a central part of the so-called “Trail of the Eagle's Nests” (Szlak Orlich Gniazd), a 160-kilometre-chain of medieval strongholds connecting the cities of Cz?stochowa and Kraków.
Czocha Castle
If you have ever dreamt of studying at Hogwarts, the medieval Czocha Castle will give you a taste of what it would be like to attend a magic school. Every summer, young fans of a certain famous wizard flock to Czocha Castle to take part in magical workshops, activities and classes such as astronomy, herbology, or ancient runes. However, Czocha has a lot more to offer than just summer camps for children ? it is worth taking a guided tour of the castle to explore its beautiful interiors (such as the Knight’s Hall or the Prince’s Chamber), hidden doors and secret passages. Some say there are even a few ghosts…
Niedzica Castle
\This magnificent medieval fortress (officially known as the “Dunajec” Castle) might be one of the most mysterious places in Poland. Known for its scenic location in the Pieniny Mountains, Niedzica attracts crowds of tourists every year ? however, not everyone may be familiar with the legend of an Inca treasure map, supposedly hidden in the castle. Would you like to hear it?
The story starts with Sebastián Berzeviczy, an 18th-century owner of Niedzica, who travelled to South America and fell in love with an Inca princess. Their daughter, Umina, was forced to flee back to Poland with her family, following an unsuccessful Peruvian rebellion against the Spanish crown. Unfortunately, Umina was assassinated on their way to Niedzica ? the princess’ daughter was survived by her son, Antonio, who was to inherit the family’s treasure. The boy was allegedly adopted by the descendants of a Polish 20th-century politician named Andrzej Benesz, who, having traced his family tree, started searching for the legendary Inca treasure. Benesz claimed to have found a quipu at the Niedzica Castle, which contained information about the lost treasure. However, it was not long after this discovery that the politician lost his life in a car crash.
A similar legend states that the treasure was hidden somewhere in the depths of the Tropsztyn Castle in Wytrzyszczka (about 80 kilometres north of Niedzica). What do you make of this story? All we know is, it is worth visiting the quiant village of Wytrzyszczka ? if only for its beautiful name!
The "Dunajec" Caste in Niedzica
Are there any other "intriguing" Polish castles you would add to this list?
