Dobczyce Castle, Medieval castle in Dobczyce, Poland.
Dobczyce Castle stands on a rocky hill above Lake Dobczyce and displays sturdy architecture with walls approximately 9 meters thick. The structure includes two separate courtyards and a square tower, which is the oldest part of the fortification.
The castle was built in the 12th century during Poland's period of feudal fragmentation and served as a strategic fortress to protect the city of Krakow. Over the centuries, it underwent various transformations before eventually becoming ruins.
The castle served as a learning center in the 15th century, where young nobles received education from the renowned historian Jan Dlugosz. This scholarly role made it a place where knowledge and intellectual pursuits were valued by the local elite.
The site is reachable by a walking path that leads uphill from the town and provides good views of the entire grounds. The attached regional museum displays objects from different periods and presents the history of the location.
Inside the oldest tower lies a mysterious shaft known for centuries as the 'death well'. Its original purpose and the reasons for this ominous name remain unexplained to this day.
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