6 Polish castles and palaces you must see!
Palace or Castle – What’s the Difference?
To begin, it’s worth understanding the difference between these two concepts. One of the primary functions of castles was to ensure the safety of their inhabitants. This is why they were surrounded by high walls, and sometimes even a moat. Additionally, they often featured towers and small windows. While castles provided comfort for their residents with banquet halls and large bedrooms, the main priority was safety rather than comfort or entertainment.
Palaces, on the other hand, were not designed for defense. They were not surrounded by high, solid walls, but rather elegant gates. Palaces also had larger windows to let in as much light as possible and were richly decorated inside. Their main purpose was to provide peace, relaxation, and aesthetic pleasure to their residents.
Wawel Castle
One of Poland’s most famous castles is the former seat of Polish kings. The history of Wawel Castle dates back to the 10th century and continues to this day. This longstanding royal residence is located on Wawel Hill in Kraków. Visitors can explore the vast gardens, the Cathedral Church, many towers and gates, and even the Dragon’s Den.
Interestingly, Wawel is visited not only by tourists eager to see a place so strongly tied to Polish history but also by those who believe in chakras and supernatural energies. They claim that the Wawel Chakra, Poland’s most powerful energy point, is located near the Chapel of St. Gereon.
Malbork Castle
We couldn’t skip the largest castle complex in the world, Malbork. This UNESCO-listed site, started in the 13th century, became the capital of the Teutonic Order in the early 14th century, a title it held for 150 years until it was conquered by the Poles.
Malbork consists of three castles: High, Middle, and Low. Each is worth several hours of exploration. Who knows, as you wander from one chamber to the next, you might even find the legendary corridor that some say leads all the way to Elbląg!
Książ Castle
Nearly on the opposite side of Poland lies Lower Silesia, home to numerous castles and palaces, including the eclectic Książ Castle in Wałbrzych. It is the third-largest castle in Poland, after Wawel and Malbork, located on the Piast Castles Trail. Built in the 13th century, Książ has undergone many renovations and expansions, mirroring the complex and unexpected twists of Polish history.
Unlike the castles mentioned earlier, Książ was once a ruin. After WWII, when Lower Silesia became part of Poland due to postwar border changes, no one took care of it, and it gradually decayed. Only in 2005, thanks to the initiative of the Wałbrzych municipality, was a full renovation undertaken. Today, Książ is open to visitors, and its turbulent history and legends continue to captivate generations of history enthusiasts.
Wilanów Palace
Wilanów is a district of Warsaw that houses one of Poland’s most beautiful palaces. Here, King Jan III Sobieski built a residence for himself and his wife, Queen Marysieńka, in the French “entre cour et jardin” style, meaning “between the court and garden.”
Today, the palace is a museum where visitors can admire the royal apartments and learn about the history of its many owners (a story as complex as a telenovela!). Additionally, the palace offers stunning gardens that are perfect for endless wandering.
Branicki Palace in Białystok
Next on our list is the Branicki Palace in Białystok. Originally a Gothic-Renaissance castle designed by Job Bretfus, later renovations drastically changed its character. Three architects transformed its style to late baroque and converted it into a palace.
Interestingly, Branicki Palace is often compared to the French Versailles and has come to be known as the “Versailles of Podlasie.” Today, it is owned by the Medical University of Białystok, with parts of the interior and gardens open to the public.
Łańcut Palace
The Podkarpackie region also hides a palace gem: the Łańcut Palace. Built in the 14th century, it was highly admired and successively owned by many prominent noble families, achieving its current appearance in the late 18th century thanks to Roman Potocki.
Today, the palace is a museum, where visitors can explore most of the rooms, a beautiful garden, the Department of Orthodox Art, and the highly popular stables and carriage houses filled with various horse-drawn vehicles.
Visiting castles and palaces allows not only an escape from daily routine but also the chance to learn more about Polish history and pick up a few fascinating facts. Plus, each site is located within a two-hour drive from the nearest Carwiz location, making them easy to explore.