Reminder of bygone days
Poland is home to an enormous number of castles, Teutonic fortresses, Silesian strongholds, palaces & fortified manor houses. Unfortunately, many of the great castles in Poland are in ruins or have been transformed into palaces & hotels; however, there are still many left intact offering tourists a unique window into the history of Poland, it’s culture & heritage.
Poland’s history includes a glorious and golden era in addition to many painful and dark periods and over the years, the country has suffered from countless battles, partitions and other political and social disorders.
The castles & palaces in Poland all have their own unique and individual stories to tell and they serve as a reminder of bygone days. There are numerous stories to be told, some factual, some legendary & fantastical, some involving lost Nazi gold trains and some involving ghouls and ghosts.
The Teutonic Knights were responsible for building the most remarkable castles in Poland and these are situated in the Northeast of the country. The Kings of Poland all resided within either Wawel Castle in Krakow or the Royal Castle in Warsaw and both of these castles are popular tourist attractions.
Between Czestochowa and Krakow, many castles were built in the Middle Ages as part of a great Eagles’ Nest fortification; however, were destroyed during the Swedish Deluge of the 1650s.
Layers of history
You’ll find an astonishing assortment of castles & palaces in Poland to visit ranging from Disney like palaces to Teutonic Order brick castles to medieval fortresses with some structures being the most impressive in all of Europe.
Many castles & palaces in Poland are either preserved or restored often with meticulous detail and you will also find many structures that have remained untouched. In some circumstances, structures have been completely reconstructed; such as the Royal Castle in Warsaw; which was turned to rubble during World War II.
Many of these amazing structures are now homes to either historical education centres or museums and some have been converted into luxury spa & hotels. From the exuberant & exquisite to practical UNESCO listed Teutonic Knights castles, the castles & palaces in Poland provide visitors with layers of history just waiting to be uncovered.
There are many other castles and palaces scattered across Poland, each with its own unique history and architecture. These include the castles of Pieskowa Skala, Rydzyna, Golub-Dobrzyń, and Kliczków and many others, as well as beautiful palaces such as Wilanowski Palace in Warsaw and the Palace of the Krasiński’s in Warsaw too. Many of these buildings are also surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens, making them a great place to spend a relaxing day.
Overall, Poland’s castles and palaces are a treasure trove of history and culture, and offer visitors a glimpse into the country’s rich and fascinating past.
See all of Warsaw in one day with private transport and skip-the-line tickets to top attractions included. Visit the Old Town, Palace of Culture and Science, discover Polish history and heritage.
Our favourite Castles & Palaces in Poland
From royal residences in Krakow, to off-the-beaten-track UNESCO sites complete with formidable bulwarks and keeps, here are nine must-see Castles & Palaces in Poland; which we highly recommend.
Wawel Royal Castle and the limestone Wawel Hill are extremely important historical and cultural sites containing one of the most important collection of buildings in Poland. Wawel was once the seat of Polish rulers, the residence of kings and the focal point of many Polish historical events. The hill is a symbol of the Polish nation and has witnessed some of the greatest moments in Polish history. Many Polish kings have been laid to rest below Wawel Cathedral.
Malbork Castle in the north of Poland is the largest castle in the world measured by land area and was designated a World Heritage Site in December 1997 by UNESCO. Located on the east bank of the River Nogat, this Gothic brick-built fortress once belonged to the Teutonic Order and it served as their headquarters for almost 150 years. Originally a fortress named Marienburg, the Teutonic Knights began this incredible construction in the 13th century and the structure took shape in various stages.
The incredibly beautiful and photogenic Ksiaz Castle was built in the late 13th century following the destruction of an earlier stronghold. Over the years the castle has been the home to many noble families including the Silesian Duke Bolko 1 (who built it) and the mighty House of Hochberg. The castle is situated in thick woodlands adding to its majesty and is at the heart of a rumour of a lost Nazi gold train believed to be buried in the vicinity of the castle.
Krzyztopor Castle is located in the tiny village of Ujazd, 35km from the town of Sandomierz. The castle is in ruins today but still attracts many visitors who are free to explore the grounds, ascend the turrets and ponder its remarkable, yet bizarre history. The castle was commissioned in the 17th century by Krzysztof Ossoliński, an eccentric magnate with a fantastical imagination and it took 13 years to build (1631 to 1644). Krzyztopor Castle was indeed a work of fantasy, with immense stone walls; which were 600 metres long. It was designed to embody a calendar.
Krasiczyn Castle is more of a palace come stately home than a castle and is beautifully photogenic, the kind of place where young girls dream of marrying their Prince Charming. Whitewashed walls, turrets and an arcaded courtyard all help to give Krasiczyn that Cinderella feeling, cue the scene with the glass slipper but lets leave out the ugly sisters! On a serious note, Krasiczyn is is one of the most precious Renaissance historic monuments in Poland, built between 1592 and 1618 for the extremely well-to-do Krasicki family.
Lancut Castle is a grand fortress and residence with castle interiors considered to be the most beautiful in Poland. Now a museum, Lancut is accessible by guided tour or with personal audio guides. Initially, the building was a 15th century fortified manor house. It was converted into its present form in 1641 by Prince Stanisław Lubomirski and over the years, the building has been remodelled with added neoclassical, rococo and neo-baroque elements. As part of the tour you will also be shown the Coach House; which is located 300m south of the castle.
Royal Castle Warsaw is an exceptional copy of the original red-brick castle; which was destroyed by the Germans in WWII. The very first version of the castle was actually a wooden stronghold dating back to the 14th century built for the dukes of Mazovia and since then it has been the residence of Polish kings in addition to being the home of the president and also the seat of parliament. Back in the 17th century Royal Castle Warsaw was one of the most splendid royal palaces in Europe and today; it is filled with authentic furniture from that period and many original works of art.
Bedzin Castle is located in Bedzin in southern Poland and dates back to the 14th century. Originally the site was home to an early medieval wooden hill fort; which was then transformed into a stone castle. Early documentation attributes the building of the stone fortification to King Casimir the Great and the construction of the stone castle was an important factor in securing the Polish-Czech border and trade routes into Poland. Bedzin Castle was partially destroyed during the Swedish invasions of 1655 and was rebuilt in 1855 with the castle’s last major restoration taking place in 1956.
Lazienki Palace is located in the beautiful Łazienki Park in Warsaw. This is the biggest and most popular park in the city and it provides visitors with many things to explore. During a walk around the 76 hectares park, you’ll see the Art Nouveau Chopin monument, a classicist amphitheatre, summer houses, pavilions, cafes & restaurants, lakes, the English garden, an Old Orangery, palaces and much more. There’s so much to see that it is possible to spend the full day in the park. Lazienki Palace is a lovely neoclassical building originally built in the 17th century.
Explore Wawel Castle on this skip-the-line guided tour. See its fantastic exhibitions, discover the castle interiors, and learn about Poland’s rich royal history.