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Castles and ruins near Krakow

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Castles near Krakow

1. Korzkiew
2. Ruins of Tenczyn Castle in Rudno
3. Ruins of Rabsztyn Castle near Olkusz
4. Ruins of Ojcow Castle
5. Pieskowa Skala Castle
6. Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka - ruins
7. Ruins of Ogrodzieniec Castle
8. Ruins of Pilcza Castle in Smolenie
9. Ruins of Lanckorona Castle
10. Little Wawel. Suski Castle in Sucha Beskidzka
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Castles near Krakow

Castles, often in ruins, are a great destination for a family hike or a trip on their own. In the vicinity of Krakow, there are quite a few of them! Many of them belong to the medieval defensive system known as the "Eagle's Nests" on the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland. They were built during the reign of King Casimir the Great to defend the borders of the Kingdom of Poland and trade routes. Which castle do you like the most?

1. Korzkiew

This is a small but very atmospheric renovated castle near the Ojcow National Park. There is a restaurant and even a hotel for those who dream of staying in a castle chamber. There is a small green courtyard with benches and a place to rest near the castle.

Korzkiew Castle (near Ojców)

The castle is located 15 km north of Krakow - beyond Zielonki, near Ojców. Getting there from Krakow by suburban buses. ...

2. Ruins of Tenczyn Castle in Rudno

These are the renovated ruins of a castle open for visitors. The surrounding forest area with numerous safe cycling paths for young cyclists is a huge advantage.

Tenczyn Castle in Rudno

Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - how to get there: Tenczyn Castle is located 24 km west of Krakow, near Krzeszowice. ...

3. Ruins of Rabsztyn Castle near Olkusz

These are the ruins of a castle near Olkusz.

Rabsztyn Castle

Rabsztyn Castle - how to get there? Rabsztyn Castle is located near Olkusz, about 40 km from Krakow (take the road to O ...

4. Ruins of Ojcow Castle

The most beautiful part of the castle is undoubtedly the rocky gate leading to it. Unfortunately, not much else remains of the castle except for the gate - a large well impresses in the courtyard. The castle is located within the Ojcow National Park.

Ojcow Castle

Ojcow Castle - how to get there? The ruins of the castle are located on Castle Hill in Ojcow, at the entrance to Ojcow National Park. ...

Castle in Ojców - gate and visible pillars supporting the drawbridge

5. Pieskowa Skala Castle

Located near a rocky outcrop - Maczuga Herkulesa, Pieskowa Skala Castle is one of the most famous castles in Poland! The castle has an observation terrace with a view of the castle garden.

Pieskowa Skala Castle

Pieskowa Skala Castle - Directions and Parking There are two parking lots near the castle: 1) Paid unguarded parking under ...

View of Pieskowa Skała Castle and the castle garden

6. Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka - ruins

Saltworks Castle Wieliczka

Defensive Walls and Towers To protect the mine and the people working in it, Wieliczka was surrounded by high defensive walls. The fortifications were built at the initiative of King Kazimierz the Great. 19 towers were constructed along the walls, and two of them had entrance gates. Only one tower visible in the photo below and a tower incorporated into the castle building at the entrance gate have survived to this day. The defensive walls are freely accessible for sightseeing. ...

Saltworks Castle was the former headquarters of the salt mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia, which used to be one company owned by the king. Fragments of defensive walls that once protected the mine have been preserved near the castle.

Defensive walls and tower of Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka

7. Ruins of Ogrodzieniec Castle

Located in the neighboring Silesian voivodeship, but still only about an hour's drive from Krakow, the grand, beautiful, and full of attractions Ogrodzieniec Castle in Podzamcze:

Ogrodzieniec Castle

Ogrodzieniec Castle - sightseeingThe castle is actually located in the town of Podzamcze, 2 km beyond Ogrodzieniec. It is one of the ...

Park Miniatur - Ogrodzieniec

Park Miniatur w Ogrodzieńcu - zwiedzaniePark Miniatur u podnóża ruin Zamku Ogrodzieniec. Zobaczymy tu modele zamków ze S ...

...And you can see all the castles of the Trail of the Eagle's Nests in miniature at the Miniature Park in Ogrodzieniec:

8. Ruins of Pilcza Castle in Smolenie

Ruins on a hill, and in the vicinity, there is the Dry Valley of Wiodaca and a scenic hill called Grodzisko Panskie:

Pilcza Castle, Smoleń

Visiting Pilcza Castle in Smoleń. My children love castles, especially those in nature and ruins. Pilcza Castle in ...

9. Ruins of Lanckorona Castle

Not much is left of the former Piast stronghold... While visiting, it is definitely worth seeing the charming market square at the foot of Lanckorona Mountain!