Top 9 Castles around Spytkowice

It's worth visiting, there's a cafe and you can buy souvenirs

Unfortunately, it was impossible to even enter the square in front of the castle. It was closed. Photos taken from behind the fence.

The main hall is located on the axis of the entrance, leading through a portal bearing the Szyszkowski (Ostoja) coat of arms. The single-bay rooms are connected by a gallery that runs around the courtyard. The interiors feature magnificent preserved stone portals: from the late Gothic one in the southeast corner of the castle, through Renaissance ones, to Baroque ones bearing the Ostoja coat of arms. The branch in Spytkowice opened in 1995 and is the main repository of Krakow's archives. It houses, among other things, records of the Krakow City Hall from the mid-19th century to 1945, a set of Krakow parish records from 1798 to the end of the 19th century, and documents of the district offices from the interwar period. Currently, a total of nine kilometers of records, organized into approximately 500 sets, are stored here. https://2018.dnidziedzictwa.pl/zamek-w-spytkowicach/

From the 18th century onward, the owners changed frequently, but they did not inhabit the castle. From the mid-19th century, Spytkowice belonged to the Potocki family; the then-tenant, Michał Naimski, brought the Spytkowice ponds to life. The Potocki family ceded the estate, destroyed during World War II, to the State Treasury, which then transferred it to the Central Directorate of Archives. Thanks to a major renovation and expansion in the 1990s, the castle was adapted to its current function: it houses the Kraków Branch of the State Archives. The south-facing castle is a brick and plastered building with three wings framing a rectangular courtyard. The front elevation is flanked by square corner towers. Set on deep, partially vaulted cellars, the castle was built primarily of brick. Fragments of a stone wall, left unplastered, are visible in the oldest sections of the front wing. The two-story wings are covered with high, gable roofs that house a usable attic.

Spytkowice Castle On the border between Kraków and Silesia, on the right bank of the Vistula River, lies the village of Spytkowice. Mentioned in documents in 1228, it belonged to the Duchy of Oświęcim from 1315, and to the Duchy of Zator from 1445. In 1488, it was sold to Piotr Myszkowski, whose son, Wawrzyniec, rebuilt the local castle in the Gothic-Renaissance style in the first half of the 16th century. Expanded by the Szyszkowski family (1622-1643), it became an impressive early Baroque residence. The reconstruction of the castle was completed by Łukasz Opaliński, who took it over from the Szyszkowski family. At that time, there were numerous fish ponds in the castle area, a source of considerable income. Thanks to them, Mikołaj Myszkowski, Wawrzyniec's son, was a wealthy merchant in the mid-16th century. 16th century one of the richest people in the Kingdom.

This Gothic fortress once protected the trade route from Kraków to Silesia. Fragments of the upper castle, including a well and a tower from the earliest period of construction, still survive today. In the 15th century, the fortress, owned by the Kraków bishops, also served as a prison for clergy, particularly during the Reformation. The fortress was destroyed by wars and fires and was finally abandoned in the early 19th century. In the 20th century, the building was opened to the public, and annual festivals were organized there to showcase the medieval era. In August, the Knights' and Archery Tournament takes place, offering visitors the opportunity to observe military performances, visit the craftsmen's village, and participate in numerous games and shows, all accompanied by the sounds of early music. Another August attraction is the Witches' and Witches' Rally.

Lipowiec Castle is open to visitors again. Extensive security work has been completed. The ruins can now be safely viewed. However, some parts are not open to the public. The high keep is accessible via a narrow stone spiral staircase. Two artillery loopholes have been restored in the keep and are now accessible on the way to the top viewing platform. The last 3 meters must be climbed with the help of a permanently installed ladder. You are rewarded with a magnificent 360° view. A view that makes you want to hike in the surrounding forests. The newly built, chic café does not detract from the ensemble at all. It blends well with the old ensemble. Admission costs 20 zloty (as of July 2025).

There is a cafe with good cakes, it is worth stopping by