Kazimierz Dolny Castle

Kazimierz Dolny Castle can be related with the customs chamber that has existed since the 13th century. The tower, commonly known as the Łokietek Tower, was built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, possibly because of the foundation of this ruler. The castle was erected a little later, because in the reign of king Casimir the Great, around the beginning of the second half of the 14th century, most probably in the 1350s. The stimulus for its construction, just like the fortifications in Lublin, could have been the Tatar invasion of 1341 and Lithuanians from 1349-1350, which devastated the surrounding lands. 

In the fifteenth century, tenants was a family of Grots from Ostrów, and the longest, from 1509 to 1644, the starosty of Kazimierz was held by the Firlej family. At that time, thanks to Mikołaj Firlej, the renaissance reconstruction of the castle took place. Its slow demise began after the destruction made by the Swedes in 1655-1657 and 1707-1714. From 1774, the stronghold was already abandoned.

The castle is currently secured as a ruin with a readable layout. However, the XIII / XIV century tower has been fully preserved, being one of the most valuable monuments of this type in Poland. Both recently renovated buildings are adapted for sightseeing. Dates and opening times can be checked on the official website of the castle.

Address
Zamkowa 3, Kazimierz Dolny, Poland

Established
1350s