The castle or Dunajec Castle is a medieval fortress located on the banks of the Czorsztyn reservoir, in the village of Niedzica-Zamek, in the Polish Spish (or Zamagurze) region, in Nowy Targsky poviat, in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland.
The castle was built between 1320 and 1326 by order of Kokosz of Brezovica on the site of an old fort protected by the natural defenses of the Pienines. Originally it was a Hungarian citadel on the border with Poland. The castle is located 566 m above sea level, overlooking Lake Czorsztyn. The castle is 300 m from the banks of the Dunajec River. The castle faces that of Czorsztyn, in ruins, which is located on the other side of the lake.
Today the castle houses a museum and a hotel. It is one of the main historical sights of the southern part of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship.
Access : Coordinates: 49.422222, 20.319722 / The place is on the right bank of the Niedziczanka creek and on the southern bank of the Czorsztyn reservoir.
Highlights :
- The museum has a rich collection of furniture and household items from the 16th and 19th centuries. Observation platforms are equipped at the high points of the complex. In the cellars of the castle there is an exposition dedicated to the period when they served as a prison and a place of torture for prisoners. On the edge of the courtyard of the upper castle, a deep 60-meter well carved into a solid limestone rock has been preserved.
- The castle can be divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower castle. The construction of the upper castle was probably started in 1325.
- Movie castle : The Nedzic Castle has been a filming location for many films. In March 1955, some scenes of the film “Revenge” based on the comedy by Alexander Fredro were filmed here with 16-year-old Beata Tyszkiewicz in the title role of Clara. / In 1967, a film about the war, Crazy Night, based on the novel by Natalia Rollechek, was filmed in the halls of the castle and in its immediate vicinity. / In 1975, the film “Mazeppa” based on the drama of the same name by Juliusz Słowacki was filmed in the castle. / The castle also became the setting for two TV series: Janosik and Haunted Holidays.
- The well and forgiveness : Stepping out of the dungeon, we reach a small courtyard where there is a 60.5 m deep well. According to legend, anyone who comes in here apologizing will be forgiven.
- The castle is listed in the register of protected monuments since August 1, 1947.
- The wish hole : Juraj Jánošík, among others, was imprisoned in the castle. According to legend, whoever inserts his crossed index and middle fingers into this hole will fulfill his wish.
Go next : Czorsztyn Castle on the other side of the lake / Niedzica , a town in the municipality of Łapsze Niżne.
