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Castle - Zabytek.pl

Castle


castle 13th-21st c. Niedzica

Address
Niedzica, 1

Location
woj. małopolskie, pow. nowotarski, gm. Łapsze Niżne

A restored castle of the upland type, it reflects the evolution of changes in defensive construction: from a wooden and earthen structure to a multi-section defensive and residential complex.

History

The fully restored castle sits on a promontory hill (560 m a.s.l.), on the right bank of the Dunajec River. Currently, it overlooks Lake Czorsztyn. The first mention of the castle named Dunajec goes back to 1325 when this area was part of the Hungarian state. Its heirs at that time were brothers Rykolf and Kokosz Berzevicz. The castle was probably extended by the next owner, Wilhelm Drugeth, earl palatine, since his last will of 1330 mentions novum castrum de Dunaiecz. In 1347, the Niedzica estate and the castle returned to the Berzevicz family of the Łomnica line and remained in their possession until the 1460s. After that, they were acquired by the Zapolyas. Later, the territory was ruled by Hieronim and Olbracht Łaski, and from 1589 on by the Horvaths. The latter expanded and upgraded the castle, which started to resemble its contemporary design. After the Horvaths it went into the hands of the Italian Joanelli family. At the end of the 18th century, the neglected complex was regained by the previous owners. The last heirs of Niedzica (until 1944) were the Salamons. After WW2, the castle was completely restored and adapted to sightseeing purposes. Some of its chambers were used by the Association of Art Historians as their Creative Work House.

Description

As a result of conducted archaeological and architectural research, an almost complete reconstruction was possible of the functional and spatial transformation of the structure over centuries. The original building, dated roughly to the end of the 13th century or the very early 14th century, most likely contained wooden buildings and a water tank carved in the rock. From the west, it was protected by an arched earth embankment. Researchers attribute the construction of a stone structure to Wilhelm Drugeth around 1330. The so-called the upper castle was built first. It consisted of a stone perimeter wall on an irregular plan to adapt to the shape of the hill and a residential house adjoining the inner part of the west section of the fortified wall. The wall was 4.5 m high and was topped with battlement. A guard porch was running below. The residential house had three floors, the lower two of which contained three rooms. Another extension (ca. 1347-1470) was performed in the upper castle. A two-level residential wing was erected (in the south-east section), closed with a rib-vaulted chapel. At the same time, a lower defensive circuit with a gate tower was built from the west. It replaced the former earth rampart surrounding the outer bailey. On the initiative of Emeryk Zapolya (1470-87), today’s middle and lower castle were constructed. The defensive circuit was moved significantly to the west, and a new gate tower with an inner trapdoor and two entrances was added from the south. A brick residential house and wooden farm outbuildings were also built within the lower castle perimeter. The upper castle, apart from regeneration works, received a three-level tower over its north part. The final shape of the complex goes back to the alterations made by Gyorgy Horvath (completed in 1601). At that time, a corner tower and a bastion were erected on the west side to accommodate an extra entrance gate. Moreover, the housing functions of the defensive residence were significantly enhanced.

The site is accessible all year round.

Author of the note Stanisław Kołodziejski, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Kraków 24/10/2014

Bibliography

  • Majewski A. Zamek w Niedzicy, Kraków 1987;
  • Lakwaj L., Stępień P., Średniowieczny zamek w Niedzicy. Zarys rozwoju w świetle dotychczasowych badań, “Acta Archaeologica Carpathica”, vol. XXVI, 1987 p. 209-242.1987;
  • Michalczuk S. K., Rycerze magnaci i panowie - właściciele zamku „Dunajec” w Niedzicy, Kraków 1998.
  • Kajzer L., Kołodziejski S., Salm J., Leksykon zamków w Polsce, Warszawa 2001, p. 319-323.
  • Michalczuk S.K., Stępień P. M., Trajdos T. M., Zamek Dunajec w Niedzicy, Niedzica 2006.

Objects data updated by Andrzej Kwasik.

Category: castle

Architecture: nieznana

Building material:  brick

Protection: Register of monuments, Monuments records

Inspire id: PL.1.9.ZIPOZ.NID_N_12_BK.198108, PL.1.9.ZIPOZ.NID_E_12_BK.377070