Janowiec Castle
The castle in Janowiec rises beautifully above the town, exactly on the opposite side of the Vistula from Kazimierz Dolny. It is associated with Kazimierz, because the stronghold is a branch of the Vistula River Vistula Museum in Kazimierz Dolny. It is probably the only striped castle in Poland, hence it is so characteristic and easily recognizable.
History of the castle in Janowiec
In the past, the building was the property of the magnate families Firlej, Tarł and Lubomirski. The fortress was established at the beginning of the 16th century, and more precisely in 1508 as a bastion castle for Nicholas Firlej - the Grand Hetman of the Crown. The work of creating the castle was continued by his son - Piotr Firlej. Jan Kochanowski, a family friend, was there at the time.
The castle was expanded several times, and its creation was attended by outstanding architects and sculptors of world renown - Santi Gucci Florentino, Giovani Battista Falconi and Tylman from Gameren. The Italian architect Gucci managed the reconstruction in the years 1565–1585, during the Firlejas, when the castle took on the features of the late Renaissance and Mannerism. In turn, the Dutch architect Tylman from Gameren directed the reconstruction of the castle in the Baroque style, commissioned by the Lubomirski family.
Throughout part of the seventeenth century, the Tarłów family resided here, and almost until the end of the eighteenth century, the Lubomirski family ruled the castle. A lot was happening here at that time, because it was one of the most beautiful magnate residences in Poland at that time. Of the more important events, it is worth mentioning the reconciliation of King Sigismund III with the commander of the ROKOSZ - Mikołaj Zebrzydowski.
Unfortunately, in 1656, the castle in Janowiec, like most Polish strongholds, did not resist the Swedes under the command of Karol Gustaw. The Swedish Deluge destroyed the castle, but the Lubomirskis quickly rebuilt it in accordance with the Baroque fashion prevailing at that time. The castle was so beautiful and rich that in 1672 King Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki feasted here.
And did you know that the castle in Janowiec was lost at cards? It was Jerzy Lubomirski who played this feral game in 1783. He wasn't a good host, he squandered his entire fortune. The new owner did not turn out much better, because the castle began to fall into disrepair. This was the case throughout the 19th century. It was saved from complete looting by Leon Kozłowski, who acquired it in 1931. Interestingly, he was the only private owner of any castle in the times of the Polish People's Republic. In the 1970s, it was sold for museum purposes.
Visiting the castle in Janowiec
And today, the ruins of the Janów castle are open to the public in the form of a museum. The stronghold invites you all year round, and to this day the courtyard, cloisters, a magnificent observation deck over the great Vistula valley and the Northern House have been preserved here. It is a peculiar palace added to the walls in the 17th century. In three rooms on the ground floor, exhibits devoted to the history of the castle and its subsequent owners, as well as the history of its conservation, are presented.
An interesting exhibition of ceramics "Dutch Faience" is presented in the cellars. Decorative motifs of the 17th century – 20th century. From the collection of Jan Jaworski".
Temporary exhibitions are organized in the gatehouse. Be sure to climb the castle walls, because not only the panorama of the city, but also the jagged fragments of the fortress with arches create an extremely picturesque landscape. In the courtyard, next to the entrance to the cloisters, there is a castle café. Can you imagine the former wealth of this place?
Open-air museum in the castle park in Janowiec
And once you have learned all the secrets of the castle, come to the nearby small open-air museum in the park to see the historic 18th-century manor house from Moniak and several other interesting buildings from the 19th century - a granary from Podlodów, a barn from Wylągi and a lamus from Kurowo. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "passed away" by now. It was from such a lame person that it came. It is a kind of a former warehouse, or rather a grappling house, where things that were no longer necessary were stored. The historic manor house houses an exhibition of the interiors of a landowner's house. There are also guest rooms available.
How to get to the castle in Janowiec from Kazimierz Dolny?
It is a bit difficult by car, because there is no bridge in this place and you have to drive around, for example over Puławy, where such a bridge stands. But it can also be more interesting, because you can take a boat or a ferry from Kazimierz Dolny. Ferries run daily from April to November, depending on the state of the waters. It is also a crossing for cars or bicycles, as well as animals.
https://www.kazimierzdolny.pl/przeprawy_promowe/28173/\
Our video about the castle
While in Janowiec, we visited the castle. You can find the material in the video below, but first there are a few minutes about the nearby Magic Gardens, which we also recommend!
Practical information
IV- IX daily 10.00-17.00 (from May to August courtyard and cloisters additionally from 17.00-20.00)
X-III Thursday – Tuesday 9.00-16.00 (closed on Wednesday)
Tickets: the entire castle complex with a park and an open-air museum: normal PLN 17, reduced PLN 12, family PLN 35
Courtyard and cloisters PLN 10
The castle is not available for prams
The castle is not available for dogs
The facility offers guest rooms
Parking: PLN 8
Current visiting hours and ticket prices can be found at https://mnkd.pl/muzeum-nadwislanskie-oddzial-zamek-w-janowcu/
Castle in Janowiec
Branch of the Vistula River Museum in Kazimierz Dolny
ul. Lubelska 20, Janowiec
tel. 81/ 881-52-28, 535-188-497
