Ojców Castle
Above Ojcow, there are ruins of a medieval castle, created like most strongholds in the Kraków Częstochowa Upland, in the second half of the fourteenth century, during the time of Casimir the Great, who significantly expanded the previously existing castle. The castle in Ojców was an important link in the defense chain, it protected Krakow from the Luxembourgers, it had a crew of 100 people, commanded by the starost. King Casimir the Great named the castle Ociec u Skały, referring to the wanderings of his father - Władysław the Elbow-high in these areas, when he fled from the armies of Wenceslas and took refuge in the local grotto, today called the Elbow-high Grotto in memory of these events. Since then, the town has been called the Fathers.
Further fate of the paternal castle
The "Golden Time" or the best period for the castle in Ojców fell on the 17th century, when it was thoroughly rebuilt by the Koryciński family of the Topór coat of arms. Then, in the southern part of the hill, a magnificent residential building was built and fortifications were additionally rebuilt. In 1655, the castle was taken over by the Swedes, making it a storehouse of weapons and food. After the Swedish flood, the building was rebuilt again, then the castle hill was entered through a drawbridge supported on pillars above a deep moat. Later, the castle belonged to the Warszycki, Morskie, Łubieński and Załuski families. The last lady in the castle was Marianna née Dembińska Załuska, and in 1787 the stronghold was visited by the last ruler of Poland - Stanisław August Poniatowski. Later, the fall of his father's castle began.
Visiting the castle in Ojców
Only ruins in the form of remnants of defensive walls, a residential part, a tower and an entrance gate have survived from the entire castle to the present day. The ruins are open to the public, and an exhibition "The History of the Father's Castle" was organized in the gatehouse. The last thorough conservation of the monument took place in 2017-19, during which the focus was on preserving the original elements and creating a new exhibition in the tower. The castle hill offers a beautiful panorama of the picturesque Prądnik Valley, the Ojców National Park. A special observation terrace was created for this purpose.
Accommodation
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Practical information
Sat-Sun 10.00-15.00
Tickets: normal PLN 18, reduced PLN 9
Parking: payable under the castle, PLN 8 for the whole day, payable all year round, daily, at parking meters
Current ticket prices, parking and opening hours of the castle can be found at: www.ojcowskiparknarodowy.pl
Castle in Ojców
Ojców National Park, Ojców
tel. 12/ 389-20-05
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What's worth seeing in the area?
If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.
- Krakowskie valleys, distance: 7.7 km
- Kazimierz in Kraków, distance: 19.5 km
- Błędowska Desert, distance: 25.2 km
- Eagle's Nest Trail, distance: 33.3 km
- Gródek Park in Jaworzno, distance: 36.6 km
- Kapias Gardens in Goczałkowice Zdrój, distance: 69.3 km
- Olsztyn Castle, distance: 71.6 km
- Castle in Żywiec, distance: 73.6 km
- Black Trout Adit in Tarnowskie Góry, distance: 76.5 km
- Pławniowice Palace, distance: 98 km
