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Castle ruins - Zabytek.pl

Castle ruins


castle Drzewica

Address
Drzewica

Location
woj. łódzkie, pow. opoczyński, gm. Drzewica - miasto

The castle in Drzewica is one of few surviving examples of residential Gothic-Renaissance residential architecture in the region of Łódź.

It is the biggest residential complex built at the request of clergymen in the region of Opoczno. Preserved with almost no modifications.

History

The castle were built for several years. The older literature dates it to 1525-37. More recent sources, however, indicate the years 1505-1527. It was erected at the request of Maciej Drzewiecki - royal secretary and archbishop of Gniezno. He used the castle as his personal residence. Drzewiecki owned vast areas of local land, among others Inowłodz. The owner ordered to make his dwelling a stronghold and use decorative elements at the same time (such as e.g. ornamental gables). The structure on a frame of oak logs arranged in two layers along the walls as well as incorrect deployment of embrasures lowered the defensive value of the castle, which was modest from the beginning.

In 18th century, the castle became the property of the Szaniawski family who did not reside there. With the passing of time, it was made available to Bernardine sisters of St Francis, who used it as a monastery. In 1814, the complex was destroyed in a fire and was not rebuilt thereafter.

Description

The castle is located on a flat floodplain terrace on the right bank of the river Drzewiczka, in the southern part of the town. A road from Opoczno to Odrzywół runs nearby. Thanks to the opportunities offered by river meanders, the castle was surrounded by a double moat.

It combines Gothic and Renaissance features. Its architectural form (high walls with embrasures, flanked by defensive towers, the double moat and a drawbridge) was modelled on medieval castella. On the other hand, its decorative elements are Renaissance in style.

The construction material used was local sandstone bound with lime and sand mortar. Decorative elements and part of structural elements, such as e.g. parapets, lintel arches and jambs are made from ceramic brick. Fragments of masonry with Gothic and Renaissance details are also present. The structure is preserved up to the crownwork of the walls.

It was built on a rectangular floor plan, with four five-storey towers in the corners. The largest of them (north-eastern) housed a gateway and a wicket gate. Two western towers were used as corner extensions for the palace building.

The western part houses remains of a four-storey residential palace building. The second building, also used for residential purposes, was located in the south-eastern corner of the yard.

The eastern, northern, and southern façades are topped with decorative gables. There is a gatehouse in the eastern façade.

All façades are flanked by towers angled in relation to their walls. In higher sections of the western façade, there are window openings with decorative surrounds. The palace building had three storeys, housing four rooms each. In 18th century, the two-storey building located in the south-eastern corner of the yard was adapted by the sisters to serve as a chapel.

The castle is currently private property. It can be viewed from outside, it is not fenced. The entrance to the yard is closed, and the information board does not contain contact data of the owner.

compiled by Anna Michalska, Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Łódź, 18.08.2014.

Bibliography

  • Kajzer L., Kołodziejski S., Salm J., Leksykon zamków w Polsce, Warszawa 2007 ,
  • Błaszczyk K., Z nowszych badań nad zamkiem w Drzewicy, [w: ] Sztuka Polski Środkowej, Architektura średniowieczna i nowożytna , Łódź 2002
  • Red. Hubka M., Drzewica, szkice z dziejów miasta, Drzewica 2009.

Objects data updated by Jarosław Bochyński (JB).

Category: castle

Architecture: Renaissance

Building material:  brick

Protection: Register of monuments, Monuments records

Inspire id: PL.1.9.ZIPOZ.NID_N_10_BK.129210, PL.1.9.ZIPOZ.NID_E_10_BK.172052