Castles to visit Poland

Originally built in the ^13th century, this superb castle has been extended several times, and is now the largest in Silesia, with 415 rooms, and the third largest in Poland. It was inhabited by Hitler during the Second World War, who stripped it of its treasures. Later, the Soviets turned it into barracks, before it was finally renovated and transformed into a museum and opened to visitors today.

Malbork Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see in Pomerania. Built by the Teutonic Order in the 13th century, it was once the headquarters of the knight-monks. After their defeat, it became the seat of the voivodship. Partially destroyed and then rebuilt, it has now been restored to its medieval glory. Divided into three parts, it houses museums, a church, a chapel and the once-occupied living quarters. For a complete visit, plan a full day and arrive early

Built in 1325, this Gothic castle faces Czorsztyn Castle. The interiors are of little interest, but from the upper terrace there's a superb view of the Pieniny National Park, the man-made lake and its dam, and the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle. At the entrance to Niedzica Castle, a sign warns of the danger of ghosts... This medieval castle was used as a set for the filming of The Witcher series.

The ruins of this castle, the largest and most beautiful in the Cracovian Jura, stand 2 kilometers from Ogrodzieniec, in Podzamcze, on the road to Pilica. Built in the ^14th century on the highest hill in the region, it was remodeled in the ^16th century in Renaissance style. Its purpose was to protect southern Poland from Czech and Tatar attacks. Ransacked and pillaged following the Swedish invasion, it was abandoned in 1810.

At the entrance, on the left, are the former stables. In front of the same gates, a small fragment of the moat remains. The château's courtyard is impressive for its size, its protective wall and the huge white boulders built into the wall. A path leads to the ruins, which you enter through a well-preserved gate. You enter the château via a tower that opens onto the inner courtyard. This leads to the kitchen with its well, the bedrooms and toilets, the refectory... The château also contains basements and a tower from which you can admire the surrounding area. Its construction is perfectly integrated into the natural rock. During the high season, the castle hosts knights' shows every Sunday.

The fortress (2 km from the castle) Built of wood, it lets you imagine what a bastion looked like under the Piasts dynasty. It also offers a fine view of the castle. Not an essential visit, but it does offer another view of ^13th-century defense systems.

Originally a small wooden fortress that tradition associates with a valiant Polish crusader knight, its stone version dates back to a project by Casimir the Great (again and again) in the 13th century. Seat of several conflicts, it took part in many fights before falling into ruin after a fire in 1790. Still undergoing rehabilitation and open to the public since 1996, the castle is open to the public. The visit is worthwhile especially for the magnificent panorama which offers a view on the lake below as well as on the Tatras and the Pieniny.

The palace was built in the years 1736-1742 and features a lavish French-style park, perfectly preserved baroque interiors and a beautiful rococo façade. The museum also has a fantastic collection of socialist realism paintings and sculptures, with representations of the great figures of world socialism, led by Stalin and Mao Zedong, but also scenes of everyday life under communism. It is an amusing contrast that is played out in the best preserved noble residence in Poland.

Wilanów, 6 km south of Łazienki, shines like a jewel on the Royal Way. This charming ^17th-century castle, surrounded by a romantic park, was the summer retreat of kings and noblemen. The park, with its Baroque Italian and English gardens, is captivating in its detail. The ^18th-century orangery hosts concerts and exhibitions. The palace is a Baroque masterpiece housing the royal apartments and a collection of portraits. Also worth a visit are the neo-Gothic mausoleum and the church of Sainte-Anne.

Built in 1253 on the banks of the Vistula, it was the seat of the Teutonic authority. Today, only the ruins remain, spread over a rather suggestive green space, enclosed by the old ramparts. However, the pits and the lower part of the castle are still preserved. They are located at the base of a large octagonal tower, which gives a good idea of the imposing old brick fortress. The best preserved part is the Gdanisko tower, which was originally used as a latrine and is accessed through a suspended gallery. Sometimes cultural events are held in the cellars, which are still in good condition. From the system of walls that surrounded the city in the Middle Ages, fragments remain along the Vistula River. This system included nine gates, of which only three remain. The Monastery Gate (Brama Klasztorna), built in the 15th century in the Gothic style, takes its name from the Benedictine monastery that was located here. The Bridge Gate (Brama Mostowa) was built in 1432. Previously, there was a bridge in front of the gate that connected the two banks of the Vistula, hence the name. The Sailors' Tower was built in the mid-14th century of red brick, which is typical of Toruń architecture. It is located at the end of Żeglarska Street, which leads to the banks of the Vistula River, where before there was the port. In addition to its defensive role, it was in this tower that Polish kings visiting the city were welcomed.