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Do not be misled by the owners’ surname, for this building is located in today’s Tarnobrzeg not Tarnów! This interesting establishment, with castle roots, invites guests to visit today! The Castle in Dzików is a place worth visiting while in the area, as both the building itself and the surrounding park are impressive!
The Castle in Dzików was our first destination in Tarnobrzeg. From there we started exploring this city. This building is sometimes referred to as a palace and a castle, but it was originally fortified and served defensive functions, but I will write about its history in a moment!
Many people claim that the entire complex is the most valuable monument in all of Tarnobrzeg.
Location of the castle in Dzików
The castle in Dzików is actually located in Tarnobrzeg. Dzików is a part of the city that used to be a separate entity. It was created in colloquial speech and is often used. To get to the castle, just enter its name or address – ul. Sandomierska 27, Tarnobrzeg into your navigation.
There is a small parking lot on the castle grounds where you can leave your car. You can also walk here from the market square, but a walk of several minutes awaits you.
The Castle in Dzików – history
In the 15th century, possibly on the site of another, earlier existing building, a two-story tower manor was built with a defensive character. It was located on the escarpment above the Vistula River. In 1522, Andrzej of Ossolin sold the property to Jan Spytek Tarnowski.
In the middle of the 17th century, the northern wing was added to it. This expansion was associated with the implementation of the city of Tarnobrzeg’s location. It was then that the western defensive walls, the dry moat, and the gate complex with a drawbridge were built.
At the end of the 18th century, it underwent further reconstruction, which gave it a Baroque appearance. However, in 1809 the building was almost completely destroyed. Over the years, Dzików did not constitute the main residence of the Tarnowski family; this changed after the November Uprising.
The reconstruction of the castle was entrusted to the Italian architect Francesco Maria Lanci. In addition to rebuilding, he was also to give it a different appearance. Another important event in the castle’s history was the fire that broke out on December 21, 1927. It destroyed a large part of the complex. Fortunately, part of the invaluable collections from the Tarnowski collection was saved, but there were human casualties.
The castle was rebuilt in a changed Neo-Baroque style, and until 1972 it housed an Agricultural Technical School. Only in 2011 did it undergo a thorough renovation and was adapted to function as a museum.
Admission tickets and opening hours
The Tarnowski Castle in Tarnobrzeg – Dzików is open in the season from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, it is worth considering the fact that entry to the museum is possible only on the hour.
A standard ticket costs PLN 14, and a reduced ticket (students, pensioners, and persons with disabilities) is PLN 8. Free tickets are available to children up to seven years old and to museum employees.
Exposition
As we did not make a reservation, and the interior is entered every hour, we did not manage to look inside this time. However, we managed to find out what we missed.
Dzików Castle, apart from the building itself, once became famous for the so-called “Dzików Collections”. This was the name given to the art collection of the Tarnowski family. Today it is scattered across various institutions in the country and abroad, but once it included the works of painters and writers, among them the manuscript of “Pan Tadeusz”, the first copy of “Bogurodzica”, the originals of the Wiślicki Statutes, Rembrandt’s self-portrait, and paintings by Titian and Rubens. This collection suffered during the castle fire of 1927, but fortunately, a significant part of it was saved.
Today, the castle houses the Historical Museum of the City of Tarnobrzeg. The exhibitions present the history of the Tarnowski family and the history of the castle. There you will also find 11 reconstructed rooms, with equipment from the pre-war period. The interiors contain works of art from the aforementioned collection.
On the first floor, guests are awaited by a hunting room and a lounge dedicated to the work of Marian Ruzamski. When on-site, it is worth looking into the Picture Gallery, where you will find works by, among others, the Carracci brothers, Gaspard Dughet, Francesco Albani, Piotr Norblin, Salvatore Rosa, and Gregorio Fidanza, as well as Polish painters.
Park
An interesting place surrounding Dzików Castle is the beautiful and extensive park. It was created along with the elimination of fortifications around the building and makes a big impression (turn of the 18th and 19th centuries). There you will find a river, small architecture elements, informational plaques, and natural monuments. Among the trees, you will find beautiful specimens of oaks and limes, and such curiosities as the Ginkgo biloba.
Worth visiting?
The Castle in Dzików makes an impression. It has an interesting history, which is inseparably connected with the Tarnowski family. It is worth visiting this place and taking a walk in the beautiful park among natural monuments, admiring the architecture of the building.
If you are looking for ideas for a trip that will also include Dzików Castle, check out the text – What to see in Tarnobrzeg?
A few more pictures of the castle surroundings
