Tykocin Castle. Sightseeing, history, curiosities, restaurant, hotel

TheTykocin Castle is a unique, beautiful attraction of Podlasie, open to tourists. Dating from the 16th century, later liquidated to the foundations. In the 21st century, it was rebuilt and dedicated to tourists as a gem of the region and one of the few strongholds in this area. And did you know that King Sigismund II Augustus stayed in the castle for 14 months... after his death?

History of the Tykocin Castle

The history of this place began about 600 years ago. The first owners of the Narew island, where the castle stands today, were the wealthy Gasztołd family - Lithuanian magnates. They erected a wooden stronghold here, which was later allegedly burned down out of envy by neighbors - the Radziwiłłs. 

Then the royal history of the castle began, when the young king Sigismund II Augustus built a brick castle on the ruins of a wooden stronghold. The surrounding swamps made it an ideal defensive place, so the largest arsenal of the Republic of Poland was created here at the end of the 16th century, and the castle flourished next to it. When he died in Knyszyn, his embalmed body waited for 14 months for a burial in the Tykocin castle until a new king was elected. According to the principle "The king is dead, long live the king".

Subsequent Polish kings willingly visited the Tykocin castle. Stefan Batory, Zygmunt III Waza, Władysław IV or August II Mocny. Interestingly, in November 1705, during the Northern War, Augustus II the Strong arrived at the castle, where he was received by Tsar Peter the Great. It is a strange coincidence for the Tsar of Russia to receive the King of the Republic of Poland at the Polish castle, but this is not the end of curiosities related to this event. It was then, at the castle in Tykocin, that August II the Strong presented the Order of the White Eagle for the first time, which to this day is the oldest and highest Polish decoration.

The wars did not bypass the castle in Tykocin, from the Swedish Deluge, through the war for the Polish succession, to the January Uprising. There were 4 battles fought over the Tykocin castle, during which the castle was destroyed twice. From 1734, this beautiful object gradually fell into disrepair, was dismantled and forgotten over time.

Assault on the castle in Tykocin - reconstruction of the battle

Currently, every winter, in February, a demonstrationassault on the castle is organized here. The event is graced by the local Computowa Banner of Stefan Czarniecki. This is the only winter historical staging in Poland!

And what is reproduced here? You will then travel to 1657 and relive the events of the Swedish Deluge. At that time, the Tykocin castle was in the hands of the Radziwiłł family, who favoured the Swedes. The fortress was besieged and finally conquered by the forces of Hetman Paweł Jan Sapieha.

Visiting the Tykocin Castle

Fortunately, at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, after long scientific research, the reconstruction of the castle began on the foundations of the 16th-century royal castle of the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania - Sigismund II Augustus. Today, the castle is beautifully reconstructed and carefully mapped based on archaeological data and historical sources

In the castle there is a Museum, as part of which you can visit the underground with an exhibition about the history of the stronghold, the magnificent Glass Hall with a reconstructed giant tiled stove and an exhibition about the Order of the White Eagle. This furnace is one of the largest and most interesting furnaces in the pre-partition Republic of Poland. In addition, during the tour, you enter the prison tower, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

Interesting facts about the castle in Tykocin

• The castle in Tykocin was for several months a necropolis of the late King Sigismund II Augustus
• There was a great humanist of the Renaissance in the castle - the starost of Tykocin, Łukasz Górnicki
• In the castle, King Augustus II the Strong established the Order of the White Eagle
• During the Swedish Deluge, Janusz Radziwiłł, who allied with the Swedes, stayed and died in the castle
• The castle was conquered by Paweł Jan Sapieha, who defeated the Swedes
• Jan Klemens Branicki in the middle of the 18th century dismantled the castle as a building material during the expansion of the city

Restaurant and hotel in the Tykocin castle

In addition, in the walls of the Tykocin stronghold there is a Restaurant and Guest Rooms. You will eat very tasty here, in the beautiful castle scenery. The menu includes regional cuisine. Podlasie and Jewish, but not only. I recommend sitting on the castle terrace. We also had the pleasure of sleeping in the castle. Buffet breakfasts overlooking the courtyard are an unforgettable experience.

Our video about Tykocin

We encourage you to watch our film about Tykocin. Of course, the castle was also in it.

Accommodation

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Practical information

Current tour times and ticket prices can be found at: www.zamekwtykocinie.pl

Tykocin Castle
ul. Puchalskiego 3, Tykocin
tel. 513-434-296

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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.

• Tycocin, distance: 0.6  km
• Narew National Park, distance: 15.5  km
• Biebrza National Park, distance: 30  km
• Podlasie, distance: 31.3  km
• National parks in Poland, distance: 32.1  km
• Land of Open Shutters, distance: 53.7  km
• Wigry National Park, distance: 97.5  km
• Masuria, distance: 99  km
• Suwałki, distance: 99.3  km