Melsztyn, Medieval castle ruins in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland
Melsztyn is a village in Lesser Poland with castle ruins perched on a hill overlooking the Dunajec River. Stone wall fragments and a rectangular tower remain as evidence of the medieval stronghold that once dominated this location.
The castle was established in 1347 by Spicymir, a castellan of Kraków, and later became home to the Leliwites family. During the 1500s, renovations transformed the structure from its original Gothic design toward Renaissance style.
The castle transformed from a Gothic structure to Renaissance architecture during renovations initiated by Spytek Wawrzyniec Jordan around 1546.
The ruins sit on a hilltop and offer walking paths with views across the Dunajec valley. Access is best achieved on foot from the nearby village of Melsztyn.
Russian forces set fire to the castle during the Bar Confederation conflict in 1771 after engaging with Polish rebels. This dramatic destruction left the ruins that visitors see today on the hillside above the river.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
