Osieczna Castle

On the shore of Lake Łoniewskie in southern Greater Poland stands a castle whose Gothic walls hide beneath an eclectic costume from around 1900. It is first mentioned in 1472, and the whole complex is dominated by a 26-metre tower built in 1900. One of the most famous chess players of the 19th century spent the last year of his life here, and since 1959 the castle has been a treatment centre for children.

History: from the Borek family to the Heydebrands

The first stronghold was probably built in the 14th century for Wojsław Borek of Gryżyna, castellan of Santok, or in the mid-15th century under Maciej Borek. In a source from 1472 the castle appears as "castrum et fortalicium". From 1512 until 1592 the estate belonged to the powerful Górka family; after the last of them died it passed to castellan Andrzej Czarnkowski, who enlarged it around 1601.

After a fire in 1665 the castle was rebuilt by Jan Opaliński, and from 1690 to 1744 it was held by the Mycielski family. In the 19th century it passed to German owners. Its present appearance is the result of a rebuilding in 1890–1908 to designs by the Berlin firm Reimer & Körte, commissioned by Heinrich von Heydebrand. After 1945 it served as a holiday centre for the Western Institute, and from 1959 it has been used for children; today it houses the Prof. Mieczysław Walczak Rehabilitation Centre.

What to look for

• The Mannerist portal of 1600, carved in sandstone, with the Nałęcz coat of arms and the initials AC of Andrzej Czarnkowski. The local municipality calls it one of the most interesting pieces of architectural sculpture of its time in Greater Poland.
• Czarnkowski's foundation plaques and a plaque commemorating Jan Opaliński's rebuilding after 1665.
• The tower of 1900, combining Gothic and Neo-Romanesque features.
• The park of over 2 ha with limes, plane trees, a copper beech and an old magnolia on the lake side.

Interesting facts

After 1884 the castle passed to Anna von Helldorff and her husband, Tassilo von Heydebrand und der Lasa (1818–1899), a leading chess player and chess theorist of his era. The castle held his chess library, and he lived here in the last year of his life. Inside, a knights' hall from around 1601 survives, with a barrel-groin vault and furniture from Gdańsk.

Tripto tip

The castle is a working rehabilitation centre, not a museum, so there are no regular tours of the interior. The best view of the building and tower is from Lake Łoniewskie, where you can see the castle and park sloping down to the water. Do not photograph patients and do not block the access road. If you want to enter the grounds, contact the centre in advance. Allow 30–45 minutes for a lakeside walk with views of the castle.