Oporów Castle

The late-Gothic Oporów castle rises on an island surrounded by a moat, fed by a branch of the Słudwia near Kutno. The 15th-century stronghold has preserved its Gothic body almost unchanged and today houses a museum full of noble memorabilia.

Built for an archbishop

Construction was begun by Mikołaj Oporowski, voivode of Łęczyca, and completed by his son Władysław, an archbishop and owner of the Oporów estates in 1428–1453. Around a four-sided courtyard stand a residential house, a tower and a bastion with a chapel, all linked by a defensive wall. Gothic portals, windows and polychrome wooden ceilings survive to this day.

Museum and park

The museum has operated in the castle since 1949 and presents noble culture from the 16th to the early 20th century: the collection includes portraits of the Sołłohub family from the 18th century, duelling pistols and English faience, and the whole visit takes 30–40 minutes. Around stretches a landscape park laid out in the 19th century with traces of a 17th-century garden; entry is free, and the Neo-Gothic House in the park offers guest rooms in period style.

A film castle with a White Lady

The castle appeared in the television series Ekstradycja, Rycerze i rabusie and Korona królów, and the ghost of castellan Barbara Tarnowska — Oporów's White Lady — is said to wander its walls. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 (on weekends from May to September until 17:30); tickets cost PLN 11 and PLN 7, and on Mondays admission is free. Address: Oporów 34, 15 km from Kutno.