Top 12 Castles around Alwernia

It's worth visiting, there's a cafe and you can buy souvenirs

Visiting the Ruins: The castle is open to the public, and tourists can see, among other things, the walled-up prison cells. Tower: The castle's distinctive feature is the towering, nearly 30-meter-tall tower, which can be climbed to admire the views of the surrounding area. Access to the top via a narrow, winding staircase and ladder is an additional attraction. Vistula Ethnographic Park: The castle ruins are part of a museum complex, along with the adjacent open-air museum, where visitors can see examples of the region's traditional wooden architecture, including a 17th-century church. Events: The castle and the open-air museum frequently host outdoor events, such as history weekends, rallies, and concerts.

Lipowiec Castle is a picturesque medieval castle ruin situated on a limestone hill within the Lipowiec Nature Reserve, near the villages of Wygiełzów and Babice, in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Located in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, it once served as a castle for the Kraków bishops and a prison.

Ownership and Function: In October 2023, the castle was transferred to the National Museum in Krakow, which plans to revitalize it and open some of its space to visitors in the future. Currently, some of the rooms are still occupied by the National Archives in Krakow. Accessibility: The castle is currently not open to the public, except for special occasions (e.g., Heritage Days) or for researchers using the archives. However, visitors can stroll through the castle park.

History and Architecture Beginnings: The castle's origins likely date back to the late 15th century, when it was founded by Piotr Myszkowski of the Jastrzębiec coat of arms. Originally, it had an irregular, quadrangular shape with two towers at the corners. Remodeling: Rebuilt between 1520 and 1530, its current appearance owes primarily to the Renaissance-style reconstruction carried out in the early 17th century by the Bishop of Kraków, Marcin Szyszkowski. Owners: Over the centuries, the castle was owned by distinguished Polish families, including the Myszkowskis, Opalińskis, Lubomirskis, and Potockis. Damage: In 1945, the castle suffered significant damage from a fire.

Spytkowice Castle is a residence built on the foundations of a medieval castle. Excavations have revealed traces of the original defensive structure dating back to the second half of the 15th century. The castle was destroyed in a raid in the 15th and 16th centuries, as evidenced by the discovery of crossbow remains and bolts. Spytkowice Castle is a historic Renaissance-Baroque defensive residence located in Lesser Poland. Currently, it is not open to the public because it houses a branch of the National Archives in Krakow.

Unfortunately, it was impossible to even enter the square in front of the castle. It was closed. Photos taken from behind the fence.

Reconstructions and Changes of Ownership The Swedish Deluge: In the 17th century, the building was destroyed during the war with Sweden. Neo-Gothic style (19th century): In 1836, Count Aleksander Poniatowski commissioned a neo-Gothic reconstruction of the castle, which was carried out by the architect Franciszek Maria Lanci. Further Changes of Ownership: After the Poniatowski family, the castle continued to change owners. During this time, it belonged to the Institute of Animal Production and later to the Institute of Inland Fisheries. Contemporary Fate and Renovation Post-War Damage: After World War II, the castle was destroyed, its furnishings were stolen, and the building was repeatedly converted for various purposes. Contemporary Renovations: Between 1964 and 1973, the castle was partially renovated, and revitalization work is currently underway to restore its gastronomic and museum functions. Private Owners: Currently (following a court decision in 2013), the castle is in the hands of its rightful owners – the heirs of the Potocki family. Closed to Visitors: The castle is currently undergoing renovation.