Niedzica Castle/Czorsztyn Castle

(Zamek Niedzica)

A member of the Berzevics family of Hungary, which at that time controlled these lands, built this fortified castle, picturesquely located high above the Dunajec River. For centuries the castle was a border-post with Hungary. Yet when the Turkish menace reached its peak five hundred years ago, a deal was done at Niedzica that made this region a Polish protectorate. However, the owners of the castle remained Hungarian right up until the middle of the Second World War.

The fortress was reconstructed in the fifteenth, sixteenth and eighteenth centuries by successive Hungarian lords of Niedzica. Currently, although only ruins remain of what used to be the Gothic castle, its dungeons and some of its residential rooms have survived, as have some of the paintings depicting the Crucifixion that once used to adorn the castle's chapel. The later buildings comprise a densely packed complex with a courtyard surrounded by residential wings with covered arcades, towers and fortified walls.

Main courtyard

The castle has been open to visitors since reconstruction was completed in 1963. The most famous legends refer to the lost Montezuma treasure.

During the 16th century, a relative of one of Niedzica's owners travelled to the New World, and became embroiled in the the troubles of the conquistadors. He fell in love with the daughter of the last Inca king, Tupac Amar II, who was himself murdered by the Spaniards, after rebelling against the invaders. However, the sacred scrolls of the Incas had been handed down to the princess, who then fled to Hungary with her new husband. The notion that Inca treasure lies hidden somewhere in the depths of the castle is still cherished today.

In the summer you can travel across the lake from the Czorsztyn Castle to the Niedzica Castle by boat. This allows walks that have made their way to the Czorsztyn Castle to also visit the Niedzica Castle by foot.

Fact's about Niedzica

The castle was an important centre of Polish-Hungarian relations since the 14th century. It was a place where the money lent by the Polish king to the Hungarian king Sigismund had to be returned following an agreement signed in 1412. Once the loan was paid back, the Polish king returned the 16 Spiš towns given to him by Sigismund as collateral. For centuries the castle was a border-post with Hungary. At the time of the Turkish invasion five hundred years ago, a deal was struck at Niedzica to make it a Polish protectorate.

The castle was built by a Hungarian known as Kokos from Brezovica with family rights dating back to 1325. In 1470 it became the property of the aristocratic Zápolya family. However, in 1528, the entire county including the castle was given away by John Zápolya aspiring to the Hungarian throne, and became the property of Viliam Drugeth who received it as a reward for his support. Sixty years later it became the property of Hieronim Laski and his son Olbracht. At the end of the 16th century the castle was bought by Ján Horváth from Plavec. The fortress was renovated many times in the fifteenth, sixteenth, eighteenth and in the beginning of the 19th century by its successive owners. The last Hungarian inhabitants remained there until in 1943 when the coming of the front in World War II inspired the Salomon family to abandon it. The last countess left with her children two years before the Red Army marched in. The final reconstruction of the castle was completed in 1963 under the supervision of the Polish Ministry of Culture. It has served as a historical museum ever since.

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