Korzkiew Castle

On a rocky spur wrapped by a wide bend of the Korzkiewka stream stands a castle rebuilt almost from scratch by one man. Its core is a 14th-century stone tower, and since 1997 the ruins have belonged to the architect Jerzy Donimirski, who is restoring the castle's former silhouette and runs a hotel within its walls. Korzkiew lies in the Zielonki municipality just beyond Kraków's northern boundary, making it the closest castle to the city on the Trail of the Eagles' Nests.

History: from judge's tower to granary

In 1352 the Kraków judge Jan of Syrokomla bought the hill and built a rectangular residential and defensive tower with a cellar, measuring 9.5 × 12 m, with walls up to 2.5 m thick. A burgrave is recorded here in 1388, and by 1400 sources speak of a castrum. The founder's grandson, Zaklika Korzkiewski, commanded banner no. 47 at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410.

The castle later changed hands many times. In 1545 Piotr Zborowski bought it for 5,500 florins; in the 17th century it passed to the Jordan family, who remodelled it in Baroque style around 1720 and hosted King Augustus III here. It then belonged to Teodor Wessel and the Wodzicki family. In 1805 Eleonora Wodzicka moved to a nearby manor house and the castle ceased to be the owners' seat; by the late 19th century it served as a granary and was falling into ruin.

A private rebuild

Archaeological and architectural surveys were carried out in 1968–1969, but rescue came only with private ownership. Jerzy Donimirski is rebuilding the castle in stages: a gate tower now rises on the remains of one of the two 15th-century southern towers and dominates the silhouette of the complex. Wooden arcades and galleries line the courtyard. The listed complex also includes a residential house, a farm building and a park.

What to look for

• The oldest tower — 14th-century arrow slits survive in its south and west walls.
• The gate tower — the castle's new landmark, built after 1997 on the walls of an old tower.
• The setting — the spur above the bend of the Korzkiewka is best seen from the road along the valley; it is a classic Jura layout of a castle on a rock.

Tripto tip

The castle operates as a hotel, so the interiors are mainly for guests — if you want to see the courtyard, phone reception in advance. You can take in the castle from outside in 15–30 minutes, so Korzkiew works best as the first stop on a trip along the Trail of the Eagles' Nests: further north are Ojców National Park, the ruins of Ojców Castle and Pieskowa Skała Castle.