Dunajec Castle in Niedzica
Medals can be purchased at the ticket office!
Beautifully situated on the Dunajec River, the magnificent castle in Niedzica (also known as the Dunajec Castle) stands on a steep rock 566 m above sea level. The appearance of the castle’s surroundings was significantly changed in the 1980s, when a massive dam was completed on the river. This once Hungarian castle and the nearby Polish stronghold in Czorsztyn more impressively towered over the surroundings and resembled typical ‘eagles’ nests’.
The castle has been preserved practically intact. The tallest and at the same time the oldest part built of limestone, with a high square tower, is the upper castle. Apart from the tower, it consists of a chapel (remnants of polychrome can be seen), a small residential area and a small courtyard with a 90 m deep well. According to legend, it was dug by Tartar prisoners and had a connection to the Dunajec River. The gate to the original walled castle from the 14th century led from the south; traces of the gate and drawbridge have been preserved. Under the upper castle, there was a prison where Janosik is said to have been imprisoned; you can still see the dykes there today.
The lower castle, built on the former bailey of the Gothic castle, is plastered. It has a total of 3 towers and bastions: a corner tower, a chapel tower and a gate tower. In the chapel bastion, there are remnants of the former entrance gate from the end of the 15th century. The peripheral walls are topped with a Renaissance attic. Between the lower and upper castles there is a middle castle with residential buildings. The chambers of the upper and middle chateaux, containing exhibitions related to the history of the chateau and the furnishings of the noble residence, are available for guided tours. The two viewing terraces offer a magnificent view of the surrounding area: Pieniny, the dam, Czorsztyn Castle and even the Tatra Mountains. There is also a restaurant downstairs. A granary with folk art from the Spiš region is also open to the public in season.
