Czorsztyn Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Pieniny National Park, Poland
Czorsztyn Castle comprises medieval ruins perched on a limestone hill overlooking Czorsztyn Lake in southern Poland. The stone remains reveal the structure of a medieval fortification with walls that command views across the Dunajec River valley below.
The fortress was built in the 14th century under Casimir III the Great as a border defense, protecting the region from invasion. A fire in 1790 led to its abandonment and gradual decay into the ruins visible today.
The ruins show how people in this region lived and defended themselves over centuries. You can explore the stone walls and see the landscape that shaped generations of inhabitants.
The ruins are reachable via marked hiking trails within Pieniny National Park and easily combined with a visit to Niedzica Castle on the opposite shore. Bring sturdy shoes for the steep climb and uneven terrain.
The castle stands in direct sight of Niedzica Castle across the lake, and both served as paired fortifications monitoring the same strategic waterway. This arrangement made it possible for defenders to coordinate responses to threats approaching from either direction.
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