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There are castles such as Ogrodzieniec or Olsztyn that everyone in Poland knows. However, there are also less known buildings on the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests. One of them is the castle in Korzkiew. Today a few words about this place.
Localisation
The castle is located in the town of Korzkiew (Lesser Poland Province, Krakow County, Zielonki Commune). It is the first (from the south) castle on the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests. There are car parks at its gate and several hundred meters below. It is located only 13 km from Kraków.
Availability
Currently, the castle houses a hotel and banquet rooms. During our visit, the gate to the courtyard was open, as was the entrance to the banquet rooms. It was not possible to climb the tower.
History of the castle in Korzkiew
The history of this place dates back to the 14th century. Initially, there was a cellar tower built by John of Syrokomla in 1352. Over the next centuries, the building was rebuilt several times. During the Teutonic wars, Zaklika was the master of the castle in Korzkiew, who also fought in the Battle of Grunwald.
Even in the 15th century, the name of the village where the castle was located was written in many ways (Corzkew, Korzkyew or Korzkwa).
In 1587, the castle took part in military operations, the infantry troops of Maximilian III Habsburg, who had attempted the Polish throne after the death of Stefan Batory, stayed there (these troops were soon destroyed by the army of Hetman Zamoyski).
Later, the owners of the castle were the Ługowscy and the Jordans. In the second half of the 18th century, it was purchased by Teodor Wessel – the owner of Ogrodzieniec and Smoleń castles. In 1775 he sold the building due to debts. The last permanent owner was Jakub Wodzicki, who died in 1805.
Later, the castle served as a warehouse. It was restored in 1997 with private funds and is used as a hotel and conference facility to this day. The owner is a descendant of the former owners of the castle – Jerzy Donimirski.
Currently, he plans to restore the continuity of the defensive walls, renovate the tower and rebuild a wooden manor with a brewery
Worth to visit?
Is it worth planning a visit to Korzkiew as a destination? Rather not, because there is nothing to see in the castle. However, it is worth planning a visit to this place on the way to Jura or Krakow.
An interesting object in Korzkiew is also a church, which also had a defensive function, and dates back to 1623.
