The ruins of the castle in Ćmielów

Near the center of the town, among the backwaters of the right bank of the Kamienna River, there are the ruins of a castle that captures the imagination.

It is difficult to determine when the castle was erected. A fortified building (castrum Ćmielów) appears in written sources as early as the 14th century. It is possible, however, that we are talking here not about Ćmielów itself, but about the medieval castle in the nearby Podgrodzie.

According to researchers, the residence in Ćmielów was built in the 16th century by the Chancellor of the Crown, Krzysztof Szydłowiecki - perhaps in the place of an earlier stronghold. Szydłowiecki built a residence on an island and an outer ward on the southern side.

Of the castle located on the island itself, the best preserved fragments of the presbytery of the castle chapel. You will also see the poorly preserved remains of two residential buildings. The so-called western palace is the least well-preserved.

You will reach the island through the impressive outer bailey. Its most characteristic element is the gate tower with a barrel passage with ogival openings. It is worth mentioning that after the reconstruction in the 19th century, this part of the castle hosted a brewery.

Currently, the Ćmielów castle is in private hands. The new owners commissioned archaeological work, which can tell a lot about the castle in Ćmielów. The facility will be partially available for tourist purposes.