The best running trails around Kazimierski Park Krajobrazowy

The castle in Kazimierz Dolny is a complex of defensive fortifications from the 13th and 14th centuries, located on Castle Hill. The castle consists of two main parts: the upper castle (also known as the "Baszta" or Łokietek's Tower) and the lower castle. The upper castle is a defensive bergfried tower from the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, erected at the height of the Vistula River crossing. The tower, with a height of up to 20 meters, originally served as a guardhouse, providing control over the crossing and the collection of customs duties. In later years, it served as a navigation beacon. The entrance to the tower is located six meters above ground level, and its lower storey housed a dungeon. The lower castle was built on the orders of Casimir the Great in the 1340s and was part of a larger defensive complex. Initially built in the Gothic style, built of limestone, it had thick walls and wooden internal buildings. In the 15th century, during the time of the Grot family, the castle was expanded, including a two-storey residential wing and a defensive tower. In the 16th century, the castle underwent another reconstruction in the Renaissance style, thanks to the Firlej family, who added an attic and built the southern wing. During the Swedish Deluge (1655) and a fire in 1663, the castle was seriously damaged. In the 18th century, during the reign of August II the Strong, plans for reconstruction in the palace style were not realized due to the civil war. As a result of further destruction and destruction by the Austrian authorities in 1806, the castle fell into ruin. The castle witnessed historical events, including the Battle of Kazimierz Dolny in 1831 during the November Uprising. In the years 1958-1960, archaeological research was carried out, and the castle was secured and made available to tourists. Today, it is a tourist attraction, preserving the form of a permanent ruin.

The lower castle in Kazimierz Dolny was built in the mid-14th century on the initiative of Casimir the Great as a Gothic structure. Built of local limestone, it was originally an oval in shape surrounded by massive perimeter walls. It mainly served an administrative function and supported the development of trade on the Vistula. In the 15th century, expanded by the Grot family, it gained new residential wings, a tower and a moat. In the 16th century, during the Firlejs' times, the castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style according to the design of Santi Gucci, adding, among other things, attics. Destroyed by the Swedes and Rákóczi's troops in the 17th century, it eventually fell into ruin. In the 18th century, there were plans to rebuild it in the palace style, but this did not happen. In the 19th century, it was the site of uprisings, and in the 20th century it was secured as a permanent ruin and opened to the public.

A passenger shipping port on the Vistula boulevard. Cruise ships depart from here.

The Museum of Natural History is located in a historic granary from the 17th century at ul. Puławska 54. It presents the nature of the Małopolska Vistula Gorge and the Kazimierz Landscape Park through permanent and temporary exhibitions of an educational and scientific nature. The exhibits include fossils from 66 million years ago, a collection of insects, plants and animals of the region, as well as living exhibitions: a beehive, an anthill and an aquarium. The museum also offers an observation point with a view of the Vistula.

The castle was initially built for administrative purposes under the Piast dynasty, with a defensive role that was more symbolic than actual. The castle suffered significant damage during the 17th century wars, including the Potop and the conflict between August II Mocny and Stanisław Leszczyński.

Castle in Kazimierz Dolny - a complex of defensive fortifications from the 13th and 14th centuries located in Kazimierz Dolny (Lublin Voivodeship) on Góra Zamkowa.

Entry 12 PLN (April 2024).

One of the numerous, beautiful gorges near Kazimierz Dolny in the so-called The Land of Loess Gorges. It is full of exposed, high loess slopes, where we can admire these interesting formations, and is a link between Kazimierz Dolny and the Jeziorszczyzna region. A marked Nordic walking trail runs through the gorge.