Mirów Castle, Renaissance castle in Książ Wielki, Poland
Mirów Castle is a Renaissance residence in Książ Wielki with three stories and a rectangular plan flanked by corner bastions. The building displays rusticated lower levels and decorative crenellated towers on its eastern and western projections, while two single-story pavilions in the upper courtyard house a chapel and library with column-supported loggias overlooking a geometric terraced garden.
The castle was built between 1585 and 1595 by Florentine architect Santi Gucci for Bishop Piotr Myszkowski. It emerged as an architectural statement of power during a period when such residences reflected the growing influence of nobility and the church in Poland.
The castle represents an early example of Italian palazzo architecture adapted to Polish conditions, showing how residential comfort merged with defensive needs. Visitors can observe this blend of Renaissance design and fortification elements throughout the building's structure.
The castle now houses a technical school and the Mirów Association, with the exterior grounds open for visitors to explore. Walking around the terraced gardens and grounds allows you to view the architecture from different angles and appreciate the layout of the pavilions and courtyard spaces.
Florentine architect Santi Gucci was one of very few Italian masters who traveled to Poland to design buildings, making this a rare example of direct Italian influence in the region. His work here demonstrates how artistic skills and styles traveled across trade routes over generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
