Polski
Those who like interesting stories will leave the castle with a head full of curiosities about the mansion erected on the plan of the calendar, whose ruins are haunted by ghosts to this day. Fans of original architecture will be delighted by the momentum with which the palazzo in fortezza concept was implemented. And what impression will Krzyżtopór make on you?
The monumental ruins surprise with their very location among the peaceful, agricultural landscapes of the Opatów area.
The history of the palace is inextricably linked with the biography of its founder - Krzysztof Ossoliński. This fabulously rich magnate received the Iwaniska estate as a wedding gift from his father, Zbigniew.
Krzysztof Ossoliński, thoroughly educated in Poland and abroad, during his numerous trips around Europe had the opportunity to look at the art and architecture of contemporary Italy, Austria and France. On his estate, he decided to create a seat that would outshine other magnate residences with its concept and scale.
Originally, the building was called "Krzysztopór", combining the name of the founder with the name of the coat of arms of the mighty Ossoliński family. Later, the castle began to be called "Krzyżtopor", and huge symbols of a cross and an ax were placed on the main gate.
The residence was built in the spirit of the fashionable at that time concept of palazzo in fortezza (palace in a fortress), which combined defensive functions with the comfort of the residents and the representative character of this complex.
The founder did not enjoy the finished work for too long - he died in 1645, a year after the construction was completed. He left behind his only son - Krzysztof Baldwin, who died on the battlefield in 1649. Krzyżtopór became the property of several related families, and the end of its short splendor was brought by the Swedish Deluge in 1655. Krzyżtopór was turned into ruin by the Bar confederates in the 18th century.
Visitors are still amazed by the number of symbols and meanings that can be read among the castle walls. It is said that Krzyżtopor's arrangement is to reflect the calendar. It had 4 towers (as many as seasons), 12 great halls (as many as months in a year), 52 chambers (as many as weeks in a year) and 365 windows (an obvious reference to the number of days in a year).
The shape of the fortifications is also amazing - the palace is inscribed in a pentagonal fortification. Some say that the architects referred to the pentagram in this way, thus fulfilling the wish of Krzysztof, who was interested in magic and secret symbols.
The splendor prevailing in the residence has also become a legend. Revelers in the ballroom could admire exotic fish in the aquarium replacing the ceiling. Even the stables were equipped with marble mangers and mirrors - not so that the horses could see themselves in them, but to additionally illuminate the dark rooms.
Today, the ruins are often visited by tourists. For their convenience, several sightseeing routes have been designated here. The castle mobile application helps to imagine what the rooms of Krzyżtoporskie looked like during their short heyday.
Worth knowing
According to the legend, the ruins of the castle should not be crossed at night, because it brings bad luck ... many tourists, undaunted by this story, appear at the Krzyżtopór castle after dark to take part in night sightseeing accompanied by torches and atmospheric castle illuminations.
