Krzyżtopór Castle
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Krzyżtopór Castle, located in Ujazd, Poland, is one of the most impressive and intriguing castle ruins in the country, known for its grand scale and fascinating blend of history, architecture, and legends. Built in the 17th century by nobleman Krzysztof Ossoliński, the castle was designed to be both a fortress and a magnificent palace, and it remains a testament to the ambitions of Poland's aristocracy during the Baroque period. What makes Krzyżtopór Castle particularly remarkable is its once extravagant design, filled with symbolic references. The name itself, “Krzyż” (Cross) and “Topór” (Axe), refers to the coat of arms of the Ossoliński family, and the building's layout is said to reflect the calendar—365 windows for days of the year, 52 rooms for weeks, 12 halls for months, and 4 towers for the seasons. While much of the castle is now in ruins, wandering through its remains, you can still imagine the scale and grandeur of what it must have been like at its peak. Exploring Krzyżtopór is a bit like stepping into a labyrinth of history. The sprawling ruins feature massive defensive walls, courtyards, and remnants of once-luxurious halls and chambers. The architecture is a unique blend of Renaissance and early Baroque styles, with striking details like the former ballroom's domed ceiling and a once-impressive aquarium built into the dining room ceiling. Visitors can roam freely through most parts of the castle, which adds to the adventure and mystery of the experience. The surrounding landscape only adds to the castle's allure. Perched on a hill, Krzyżtopór offers beautiful views of the countryside, and its isolated location enhances the feeling of discovering a hidden piece of history. This, combined with the lack of crowds compared to more popular tourist sites, makes it a perfect destination for those looking to immerse themselves in a quieter, more atmospheric setting. However, as a ruin, the castle lacks many modern amenities and interpretive features. Information on-site is minimal, so those interested in a deeper understanding of the history may want to read up beforehand or join a guided tour. The paths can be uneven and the ruins are not fully restored, which may present challenges for some visitors. In summary, Krzyżtopór Castle is a must-see for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone intrigued by Poland’s rich cultural heritage. While it’s not as polished as some other historic sites, the freedom to explore its hauntingly beautiful ruins and the impressive scale of the complex make it a rewarding and memorable experience. The castle’s blend of myth, history, and architectural splendor leaves a lasting impression, transporting visitors to a bygone era of nobility and grandeur.
Dante FreemanDante Freeman
00
Absolutely spectacular and worth a visit. It's so grandiose and lavish. Built with no expenses spared, up to the highest standards to satisfy the taste of the most noble of Polish society. Yes, today is all in ruin, just a skeleton of once majestic creation, but is still awe-inspiring, vast and nicely kept. The legend about a fish tank being placed instead of the ceiling above their studies shows you the scale of this castle! You can easily spend a good few hours here, with plenty of souvenir stalls just on the other side of the road. Thera are 4 paths leading you throughout different levels, starting with the basement where the stables with marble trough used to be and be aware, you can choose a pathe requiring squatting quite low! Then ground level to higher floors offering breathtaking views. There's a café there an very decent toilets. Do not hesitate and let your imagination run free!
Eliza TomczykEliza Tomczyk
10
Well kept ruins of a large medieval castle. Suitable for kids and people in wheelchairs, good ramps and stairs with railings, so it's as safe as old ruins can get. You need to watch your step to avoid stumbling even when just walking in such places, of course. The neighbours rent out their lawns when the main parking lot is full, so it's not difficult to find parking. There are a few stalls selling trinkets and ice cream across the road, but mostly the attraction is simply walking through the castle, observing the details like fireplaces, chimneys and other vertical channels, wondering what they are for and how life was like back then.
Vegard FarstadVegard Farstad
00
Krzyztopor Castle is still a mystery. It was perhaps constructed sometime in the 16th century by Polish nobleman Krzyztof Ossolinski of Sandomierz. He was known to practice black magic. The pentagonal plinth which may come from a combination of a cross and an axe, 365 windows, 52 rooms, 12 halls - all indicates some form of magic even in the design. The castle was damaged severely during the Swedish invadion of the 17th century. It is a pity that it lacks rennovation.
Muhammad Mahfuzur RahmanMuhammad Mahfuzur Rahman
00
Zamek oczarował mnie swoimi gabarytami nie ma co ukrywać jest to cudowna budowla która w latach swojej świetności musiała wyglądać na prawdę majestatycznie. Niestety teraz to już ruiny niegdyś cudownego zamku… Jednak nadal zapierają dech w piersiach. Mamy kilka ścieżek które są bardzo dobrze oznaczone kolorami. Niestety podczas mojego pobytu ścieżka „czerwona” była zamknięta z powodu ulewnych deszczy kilka dni wcześniej. „Czerwona” ścieżka to podziemia zamku do których przebycia potrzebujemy dodatkowego oświetlenia, kiedyś była by to pochodnia dziś latarka. Reszta ścieżek jest dobrze poprowadzona i ciekawa, zapytacie czemu ciekawa co ciekawego w ruinach a tu z pomocą przychodzi nam aplikacja zamku która w wirtualizacji 3D pokazuje nam jak zamek wyglądał w latach jego świetności! Warto pobrać przed zwiedzaniem bo pokazuje nam piękno tego miejsca plus ukazuje zdjęcia i pozwala nam lepiej poznać to miejsce. W zameczku znajduje się również sklepik z pamiątkami, toaleta i malutką kawiarnia. Na placu głównym mamy do dyspozycji Panią która częstuje nas miodem pitnym, bardzo dobry polecam, można również kupić (butelka 100zł). Bezpłatny parkin tuż obok, jest całkiem spory i nawet w niedzielę nie ma problemu z znalezieniem miejsca! Serdecznie polecam na luźny weekendowy wyjazd!
JakubJakub
00
This is incredible ruins of castle, once being majestic. You can feel the power being here, taking look in every crevice and hall, even basement. When visiting in windy weather make sure to wear a jacket because wind rushes through the open aisles and halls making harsh streams of cold air. They have small restaurant inside, where someone can have warm coffe with something sweet
DIMOGENTEDIMOGENTE
20
Basic Info
Address
Ujazd 73, 27-570 Ujazd, Poland
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Phone
+48 15 860 11 33
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Website
krzyztopor.org.pl
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Reviews
Overview
4.8
(7.7K reviews)
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cultural
outdoor
family friendly
Description
Krzyżtopór is a castle located in the village of Ujazd, Iwaniska commune, Opatów County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It was originally built by a Polish nobleman and Voivode of Sandomierz, Krzysztof Ossoliński.
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