Castles in Dobczyce

If you are wondering where to go for a pleasant trip around Krakow, then without hesitation head to Dobczyce. There, you will find a castle, an open-air museum, and an amazing view of the Dobczyce Lake. The history of this building itself should be encouraging, as the earliest mentions of it date back to 1362. It's worth noting that in 1398, the royal Władysław Jagiełło stayed at the castle – this event was commemorated with the coat of arms of the Jagiellons.

The castle is located in the centre of Dobczyce, just above the Raba river. To reach the castle, the best option is to park on Podgórska Street, near the dam – there is quite a large parking area. From this point, the yellow trail signage leading straight to the fortress is immediately noticeable. We need to prepare for a short, steep walk up a considerable hill - after all, the castle sits atop the hill. Just a quick purchase of tickets, and we can start the tour. And there is much to see:

• an exhibition hall dedicated to the museum's founder and the first curator,
• a historical room,
• a room dedicated to national memory,
• a torture chamber, a terrace room,
• a chapel,
• a fireplace room,
• a smithy.

Next to the castle, we can find the Open Air Museum of Wooden Folk Architecture, which features an interesting exhibit – a funeral home that houses artifacts related to ancient funeral rites. In addition to this, at the open-air museum, we will visit:

• a tavern,
• a chicken coop,
• a blacksmith's shop,
• a coach house.

While on the hill, it is worth visiting the beautiful St. John's Church. If you want to admire the panorama of Dobczyce Lake and the surrounding forests, be sure to head towards the gate, where there is a tower with a viewpoint. An interesting attraction is a walk along the crown of the dam.

The museum is open on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, while on Saturday and Sunday, it is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. From November 1st to March 31st, the castle is closed to visitors. The entrance fee is 15 PLN, the reduced ticket is 12 PLN, and the family ticket is 35 PLN. An interesting feature is the offer of museum lessons and craft workshops, where we can learn more about the history and legends of Dobczyce.

Photo and text by: Ewa Bandyk