Castle in Rydzyn – baroque pearl of the king - sightseeing and attractions

Name: Rydzyn Castle
Rating: 4.5

The castle in Rydzyn is one of the most impressive residences in Greater Poland, being part of a harmonious Baroque landscape composition! The history of the castle dates back to the Middle Ages, but its later fate is intertwined with the history of outstanding families and the king of Poland himself. Today, it impresses with its architecture, unusual stories and the possibility of discovering beautiful palace rooms. The Ballroom is the most captivating - the most beautiful we have seen in Poland!

History of the castle in Rydzyn. From the border town to the magnate's mansion

The beginnings of the castle date back to the beginning of the 15th century, when the knight John of Czernina, by order of King Władysław Jagiełło, built a stronghold here. It was a strategic place – it was located on the border with Silesia, which at that time did not belong to Poland. Over time, Jan took the name Rydzyński from his private town of Rydzyn, which was to develop at the foot of the fortress. However, fate wanted otherwise and the true flourishing of Rydzyna took place only in the 17th century, when the village was acquired by the Leszczyński family from nearby Leszno. It was they who made it their main ancestral seat. At that time, both the castle and the entire city began to be transformed into a Baroque urban design. Rafał Leszczyński - the father of King Stanisław Leszczyński - was the first to do so. An interesting fact is that to this day the central point of Rydzyna is an unusual market in the form of a roundabout, from which a representative alley leads directly to the castle. This is a rare example of a coherent urban concept preserved to modern times.

King Stanisław Leszczyński and the Italian architect at the Rydzyn castle

The most famous representative of the family was Stanisław Leszczyński – the king of Poland, who played an important role in the history of Europe. It embellished the basic Baroque body of the castle, which was helped by the famous Italian architect Pompeo Ferrari. However, fate was not kind to the king and after his abdication he had to leave the country and sell his extensive goods. He eventually settled in France, where he became famous as an art patron and philanthropist. He became the Duke of Lorraine due to the marriage of his daughter Maria Leszczyńska with the king of France - Louis XV. Interestingly, she was the longest reigning queen of France, and the people truly loved her.

The Sulkowski family – the golden period of the castle

In 1738, Aleksander Józef Sułkowski, one of the most important magnates at the Saxon court, bought the huge estate of the Leszczyński family – measuring about one million hectares. This event marked the beginning of the more than 200-year reign of the Sulkowski family in Rydzyn, lasting until World War II. The new owner expanded the castle with a southern design and gave it even more splendor.

Reconstruction of the castle

The castle survived the war in practically intact condition, but in 1945 the Soviet army burned it to the ground. In later years, the residence was taken care of by the Association of Polish Mechanical Engineers and Technicians, which has been taking care of it until now and created the Castle in Rydzyn Foundation. They have thoroughly revitalized the castle and work is still ongoing here, thanks to which the building impresses with its beauty and panache. In 2007, the entire establishment was entered on the list of Monuments of History.

Visiting the castle in Rydzyn - interiors, guest rooms and "U Króla Stanisława" Restaurant

The castle in Rydzyn is open to tourists. You can not only visit the interiors here, but also spend the night in guest rooms and taste local dishes in the "U Króla Stanisława" Restaurant, e.g. ducks with dumplings and blue cabbage. Hotel guests can walk around the interiors and representative castle halls free of charge and without time limits. Tourists from outside can visit the castle on their own or with a guide. The second option allows you to discover many fascinating stories that are not visible at first glance.

Ballroom

The castle impresses with its richly decorated interiors. Several rooms make a really striking impression, especially the Ballroom – full of light, gilded details and baroque splendor. This is probably the most beautiful ballroom we have seen in Poland. The painted ceiling attracts attention here - one of the most unusual elements of the decor created during the Sułkowski family. This is the ceiling - a large painting that was to help the children accept their father's second marriage - Aleksander Józef Sułkowski. It shows both the new wife - Anna Przebendowska, the voivodess of Malbork, and the spirit of the first - Anna Maria Stein, who blesses the new relationship on the painting. The work was made by Georg Wilhelm Neunhertz, a well-known painter who painted "al fresco", i.e. on wet plaster.

Rooms: Knight's, Sea or King's Bedroom

In the Knights' Hall, Józef Sułkowski – a pupil of the castle and one of Napoleon Bonaparte's closest associates - was commemorated. Although he was only 23 years old, he became his aide and took part in the Egyptian campaign. He died in Cairo in 1798, remaining a symbol of courage and bravado. Other rooms are also extremely impressive - the Sea Room with mermaids and tritons, the Four Seasons Room or King Stanisław Leszczyński's Bedroom with a stone curtain and cupids. Painting in this room was done by Michelangelo Palloni - an outstanding figure in Baroque painting. The paintings were created in 1702-03 and depict the wedding procession of Amphitrite.

Castle park

The castle is surrounded by a vast landscape park, thanks to which the complex creates a coherent landscape composition. The castle park with moats is a picturesque place for walks, formerly carefully arranged, today somewhat wild. It is one of the largest communities of protected flowering ivy in Wielkopolska. Among the greenery of the park you will find an interesting gardener's house, to which you will be led by a path from under the eastern facade of the castle. If you walk from the castle outbuildings, you will reach the Pavilion of the Manor Shooting Range.

Interesting facts:

On the eastern facade of the castle you can see coats of arms and interesting frescoes full of symbolism
A clock and solar calendar are visible on the north façade
Daughter of King Stanisław Leszczyński - Maria Leszczyńska, the longest reigning queen of France
After Leszczyński, the Sulkowskis acquired goods in Rydzyn with an area of about 1 million hectares, where Wielkopolska today has 3.5
Józef Sułkowski, a pupil of the castle, at the age of 23 became a trusted adjutant of Napoleon Bonaparte himself
Mother Teresa Potocka, that is Ewa Karolina née the Dukes of Sulkowska - daughter of Prince Antoni Paweł, the fourth ordinate of Rydzyna, who spent her childhood and youth in the Rydzyn castle, founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1862. Later, St. Faustina Kowalska, an apostle of Divine Mercy and a spiritual co-founder of the congregation, joined this congregation. Ewa Karolina née Sulkowska founded it after she met a similar monastery in France, which helped single women to live a dignified life after the Napoleonic Wars. She decided that in Poland there are similar needs of single women who cannot support themselves
In the vicinity, it is also worth visiting the Museum of Milling in Osieczna or the monastery in Lubin

The castle in Rydzyn is not only an architectural gem, but also a place where the history of Poland is intertwined with the European fate of kings, magnates and heroes.

Our video about Leszno with a castle

In our film about Leszno, we also bring the castle in Rydzyn closer - we invite you!

Accommodation

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Practical information

Castle in Rydzyn - Hotel and Restaurant
1 Zamkowy Square, Rydzyna
https://zamek-rydzyna.com.pl/

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What's worth seeing in the area?

If you are looking for more ideas for interesting places to visit, we have it for you some options in the area. There are several attractions within a radius of 100 kilometers, that are worth adding to your travel plan.

Leszno, distance: 9.1 km
Barycz Valley, distance: 43 km
Poznań, distance: 71.4 km
Legnica, distance: 73.5 km
Ostrów Tumski in Wrocław, distance: 79.3 km
Wroclaw, distance: 79.3 km
Wrocław Zoo with Afrkarium, distance: 80.8 km
Bolesławiec, distance: 96.2 km