Most beautiful castles in Poland

Malbork Castle was the most powerful fortress in medieval Europe. This picturesque complex of three castles, situated on the Nogat River, was the capital of the Teutonic Order for 150 years.

The origins of the castle date back to the second half of the 13th century. From 1309, Malbork was the headquarters of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order and the capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms in medieval Europe. It is the largest Gothic castle complex in the world, covering an area of approximately 21 hectares, and a masterpiece of late medieval defensive and residential architecture. In 1997, Malbork Castle was added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. The Castle Museum offers many attractions for visitors, including several exhibitions of ancient weapons, amber, porcelain and handicrafts. For several years now, Malbork has also been hosting in July reenactments of the "Siege of Malbork". This is a major event that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

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The Malbork Castle Museum is open from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The historical tour is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last admission at 5:00 p.m.) The green route is open on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and from Tuesday to Sunday between 5:15 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The cost of visiting the entire castle, including exhibitions, is PLN 90, and for a ticket without the exhibitions (only the Castle) you will pay PLN 70.

In its early centuries, Książ had a very turbulent history. It often passed from hand to hand, belonged to various countries, and got destroyed during numerous wars that were fought on its territory. In fact, we know very little about the origins of today's castle, and there are many gaps, ambiguities and even contradictions in the records of its early centuries. What we know for sure, is that in the past, it was a meeting place for crowned heads, where the history of the aristocratic von Hochberg family intertwines with the mysteries of World War II... Książ Castle is the third largest castle in Poland. This beautifully situated architectural complex is unique on a European scale. The castle is surrounded by a large park and forest with excellent walking areas. During World War II, the Nazis built an entire system of bunkers and tunnels under Książ Castle, the purpose of which remains a mystery to this day. The underground complex has recently been opened to the public.

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A visit to the castle can be divided into several independent attractions: a day tour of the castle, a night tour of the castle, a tour of the horse stud, a tour of the underground passages, a tour of the palm house (palmiarnia) located approx. 2 km from the castle (easily accessible on foot).

The Eagles‘ Nests Trail is one of Poland's biggest tourist attractions. Built on hard-to-reach limestone rocks towering over the surrounding area, they resemble eagles’ nests, hence the name of the trail. The castles once guarded the lands and trade routes of Krakow and the Małopolska region from dangerous Czech neighbours. Today, they tempt and attract residents and tourists with a fairy-tale world, captivating natural beauty enclosed in unique forms and enchanted by legends. The castles on the Eagles' Nests Trail remember ancient times and continue to guard their secrets and heritage, just as the walls of the Jurassic Piast strongholds once protected the inhabitants. The Kraków-Częstochowa Jura and the Eagles' Nests Trail are best explored by bike, as there are beautiful forests and well-marked bike paths in the area, and the distances between the castles are ideal for short trips. In most cases, the entrance fee to the castle is around PLN 20. As the castles are often only ruins (in many cases very well preserved or restored!), the tour does not take longer than an hout. It is worth checking in advance when battle reenactments and medieval events take place at the Castles on the Eagles' Nests Trail and planning the trip so that you can see at least one such event, because then the tour takes on a completely different dimension.

In the place where the stone stronghold stands today, there used to be a wooden fortified settlement in medieval times. The construction of the castle began in the 13th century. Over the years, the castle passed through many owners and slowly began to change its function, becoming a residence. In 1909, it was bought by Ernst Gütschow, a German tobacco manufacturer. At that time, extensive reconstruction work was carried out, during which many of the oldest parts of the castle disappeared. Gütschow abandoned Czocha Castle in 1945. It is worth mentioning that, according to an unconfirmed theory, during World War II, the castle housed an Abwehry code-breaking centre. After the war, the castle began to fall into ruin. The valuable furnishings left behind by the last owner were a tempting target for treasure hunters. Then the castle became home to Greek refugees, who kept farm animals in the magnificent rooms. The castle was opened to the public in 1996 when it became a hotel. Nowadays, the tour of Czocha Castle is a unique experience. Visitors can learn about the unusual history of this place and explore its most mysterious corners – secret passages leading to numerous chambers. The castle can be visited both during the day and at night. One of the biggest attractions of the castle is the famous Prince's Chamber. According to the legends, there was a trapdoor under the grand bed, which led to the dungeon. It is worth mentioning that the tour also includes a visit to the observation tower, which offers a magnificent panorama of the castle's surroundings. Daytime tours are available from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and in July and August – until 8:00 p.m.

Krzyżtopór Castle, one of the largest residences in Europe at the time of its construction, is one of the best-preserved examples of a ‘palazzo in fortezza’ (fortified palace) not only in Poland but also beyond its borders. The building is distinguished by the high degree of preservation of its original walls and fortifications, which, combined with the fact that it has never undergone any significant reconstruction, gives it special scientific value as an example of an unaltered representative residence from the first half of the 17th century. This unique monument, built at an important moment in the evolution of modern magnate residences in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, is a combination of a castle and a palace. The layout of the palace was based on the calendar: it had 4 towers, 12 ballrooms, 52 rooms and 365 windows. It is said that one of the towers housed an aquarium with exotic fish, and that the stables had mirrors above the marble mangers, which reflected light and additionally illuminated the rooms.