Nowy Sącz Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Nowy Sącz, Poland
Nowy Sącz Castle is a medieval fortress located where the Dunajec and Kamienica rivers meet, with visible remains of corner towers and stone walls still standing. The ruins show the layout of residential and defensive structures from its original construction.
King Casimir III the Great ordered construction of this strategic fortress between 1350 and 1360 to defend Poland's southern border. Later, the architect Maciej Trapola redesigned and expanded the structure in 1611 with additional rooms.
The castle served as a residence for prominent rulers in the 14th century, including King Louis I of Hungary and Saint Queen Jadwiga of Anjou. The site reflects the connection between these powerful figures and the region's history.
The grounds have interpretive panels explaining the castle's layout and its role in medieval defense systems. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the terrain is uneven and access to different areas may vary.
The castle's architecture shows an unusual shift from a pure military fortress to an administrative center with over forty rooms built in the early 1600s. This transformation reveals how the site's role changed over time.
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