Kamieniec Castle in Odrzykoń

Kamieniec Castle in Odrzykoń (kah-MYEH-nyets, oh-jeh-KOHN) is a romantic Gothic ruin on a rock at 452 m above sea level, a few kilometers from the town of Krosno in southeastern Poland. A feud between two families over a wall that split the castle inspired Aleksander Fredro's comedy Zemsta ("The Revenge"), one of the best-known plays in Polish literature. If you are looking for things to do near Krosno, the ruins offer a small museum, an interactive torture chamber and views over the Low Beskids.

Where it is

The castle stands on the border of the municipalities of Korczyna and Odrzykoń in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, about 70 km from Rzeszów, the nearest airport, and roughly 180 km from Kraków. From Krosno you can drive or take bus line 3 to the "Odrzykoń Podzamcze" stop, but it runs only a few times a day on weekdays. A paid car park next to the castle is run by a nearby restaurant.

History in brief

The castle is first mentioned in 1348. In 1396 Klemens of Moskorzew received it for his service in the defense of Vilnius and built the Upper Castle; the chapel he founded was consecrated in 1402. King Władysław Jagiełło, who united Poland and Lithuania, visited in 1399. From 1407 the family took the name Kamieniecki, and in 1505 Mikołaj Kamieniecki became the first lifetime Grand Crown Hetman, Poland's top military commander.

Hungarian troops attacked in 1475, and in 1528 the castle hosted the exiled King John Zápolya of Hungary. In 1601 Jan Skotnicki bought the Upper Castle, and his long quarrel with the Firlej family, owners of the Lower Castle, became the basis for Zemsta. In 1657 troops under Jan Firlej defended the castle against the forces of George II Rákóczi, but it was badly damaged. By 1745 it was recorded as abandoned, and in 1796 a storm tore the roof off the Upper Castle. Conservation work took place between 1885 and 1906, and the site has been a registered monument since 1968 (A-263).

What to see

• Upper and Lower Castle: two parts shared by feuding owners, with a common chapel and a deep well.
• The wall from Zemsta: the spot every Polish schoolchild knows from the play.
• Andrzej Kołder's museum: a small display of militaria and coats of arms, including a 14th-century one.
• The torture chamber: an interactive display of tools and replica shame masks, included in the ticket and, by visitors' accounts, suitable for children.
• Viewpoints: the walls look over the hills of the Low Beskids, and a climb to a rock outcrop gives a view down onto the ruins.
• A trail around the castle: a path along the former moat with a picnic spot in the forest.
• Legend: the tale of a ghost in a green Renaissance dress seen at sunset.

Visiting tips

Allow 1.5 to 3 hours, longer if you add a forest walk. The ground is uneven and stony, so wear sturdy shoes. Watch small children near rocks and walls. The ruins are largely bare, and during conservation work scaffolding can appear near the wall. The castle shop sells souvenirs but not drinks, so bring water. Ceramics workshops for children are offered, and the Museum of Noble Culture in Kopytowa runs a gingerbread workshop (39 PLN per person, about 120 minutes). Do not expect English signs; the main attractions are easy to follow without them.

Practical information (as of October 2026)

• 2026 season: 28 April to 31 October, daily 10:00 to 17:00. Outside the season only organized groups (at least 20 people) can visit by arrangement. In storms, heavy rain or heat above 32°C hours may change, so check the castle's Google profile.
• Tickets: according to the castle's website, 15 PLN for adults and 11 PLN for school-age youth, covering the ruins and the torture chamber. A guide is 60 PLN per group. The price list is undated, so confirm before you go.
• Address and contact: ul. Podzamcze b/n, 38-420 Korczyna; +48 788 837 412; zamek.kamieniec@gmail.com.

Nearby

The Prządki rock reserve in Korczyna is popular with climbers, and Krosno has the Podkarpackie Museum with its famous kerosene lamp collection.