My husband loves castles, so this time I found a few, and we went to visit them. On the way, we also passed by three wooden churches from around the 18th century, and we visited one of them inside. However, as time was limited due to the early sunset in the winter months in Poland, we didn't make as many stops and focused on the castle ruins. The weather was partially sunny, but by the time we arrived at the last castle, it had already gotten much cooler, so I didn’t want to walk around it too much.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Borysławice Kościelne
In a village in the Grzegorzew commune (Koło County), located approximately 13 km east of Koło, lies a church that was built in 1759, funded by Antoni Gorzeński, the cupbearer of Poznań and the owner of the village of Krzykosy, located within the parish. It has undergone numerous restorations.
Constructed in a log cabin style and covered with wooden paneling, the church is oriented eastward. It is a single-nave structure with a narrower and noticeably lower presbytery (clearly visible from the outside) that ends in a three-sided apse. Two porches adjoin the nave, one on the southern side and one on the western side. The high roofs are covered with wooden shingles. A small turret for a bell is located above the nave. Inside, the ceiling features rounded corners and is adorned with polychrome paintings by Wincenty Strubiński, created in the interwar period, with motifs inspired by the Kujawy region.
The church houses three Renaissance altars from the second half of the 18th century. The side altars include paintings on wooden panels depicting St. Isidore and St. Roch from the 17th century. A Rococo wall-mounted baptismal font is also present. In the presbytery, there are two fragments of a Renaissance triptych from 1640, including a relief scene of the Flight into Egypt and depictions of Aaron and St. John the Baptist. On the rood beam, a Baroque crucifix can be seen.
Adjacent to the church is a wooden bell tower from the 18th century, featuring a four-pitched, shingled roof.
Castle in Borysławice Zamkowe
The Castle in Borysławice Zamkowe is a 15th-century episcopal castle located in Borysławice Zamkowe, Greater Poland Voivodeship.
The castle was built in the Gothic style on a small island surrounded by the waters of the Rgielewka River. Construction began around 1425 under the initiative of Archbishop Wojciech Jastrzębiec. Subsequent owners, the Russocki and Szczawiński families, did not significantly alter the castle’s appearance. It was destroyed in 1656 by Swedish forces during the Deluge and fell into ruin by the 18th century.
Today, remnants of the gate tower, parts of the outer gateway walls, and fragments of the residential buildings’ walls remain. The ruins are privately owned and are not open to the public.
The original castle consisted of two parallel, three-story residential buildings enclosed within defensive walls measuring 21 x 25 meters. A narrow, paved courtyard between the buildings was accessed through a gate on the southeastern side. A polygonal turret stood at one corner. This design exemplified a typical knightly residence from the first half of the 15th century.
In the latter half of the 15th century, the castle was surrounded by an additional outer wall, creating a defensive outer courtyard (międzymurze) approximately 7 meters wide. The dimensions of the outer wall were 38 x 41 meters, and a new fortified gateway was added.
By the early 16th century, a three-story, rectangular tower with decorative blind windows (blendy) was built on the walls, along with a fortified gateway strengthened with buttresses. In the northeastern section of the outer courtyard, a new building, likely a storage house (lamus), was constructed, extending slightly beyond the outer wall.
In the early 17th century, the two residential buildings were joined by a narrow wing, reducing the courtyard’s size.
It was listed as a historical monument in January 17, 1953.
Castle in Koło
The Castle in Koło, located near the town of Koło in Greater Poland, is a 14th-century Gothic stronghold built by King Casimir III the Great after 1365. It was strategically placed on an artificial hill within a meander of the Warta River, serving as a defensive outpost and administrative center along the important trade and travel routes of medieval Poland.
Construction of the castle began during Casimir III’s reign as part of his broader efforts to fortify Poland. It was completed after his death, with the first recorded mention of the castle appearing in 1383. The castle was a residence for starosts (royal governors) and hosted Polish kings like Władysław Jagiełło and Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk. In 1410, Władysław Jagiełło visited the castle on his way to the Battle of Grunwald.
In 15th Century, the castle became a center for political activity, hosting noble assemblies (sejmiki) for the surrounding region. It maintained its importance until starosts moved their residence to Kościelec in the late 16th century.
The castle began to decline in the late 1500s as its administrative significance waned.
By the time of the Swedish Deluge (1655–1660), the castle was described as "ruined." Afterward, its stones were repurposed for local construction projects, including the Bernardine monastery in Koło.
In 19th Century initial interest in the ruins sparked some of the earliest documentation efforts. In 20th century, archaeological excavations revealed fascinating finds, including a 14th-century gold ring adorned with a red gemstone, believed to have belonged to a wealthy noble or royal figure, numerous ceramic artifacts, including pottery and tiles, remains of the donjon foundations and parts of the courtyard’s layout. In 2019–2020, excavations unearthed more medieval artifacts and provided further insight into the castle’s construction techniques.
Significant conservation efforts have been undertaken to stabilize the ruins and prevent further degradation. Recent work includes the reconstruction of northern wall sections and ongoing plans for revitalization to enhance tourism. The castle is now a key historical attraction, hosting events like the Koło Bluesa Festival and drawing visitors interested in its rich history and scenic location by the Warta River.
The castle’s core was a rectangular layout (50 x 30 meters) built with Gothic brick techniques, including Flemish bond and Wendish bond. A donjon tower, measuring approximately 12 x 15 meters and 20 meters tall, was the oldest element. It likely served as a keep for defense and residence. The walls of the tower were exceptionally thick, up to 2.5 meters. The castle featured defensive walls fortified with crenellations and a gate tower, which could be accessed via a drawbridge. The inner courtyard housed auxiliary wooden structures, storage spaces, and two wells (a smaller one inside and a larger one outside the walls).
The castle was surrounded by a moat, with additional water defenses provided by the nearby Warta River. Its elevated position on an artificial hill added another layer of protection.
Only fragments of the defensive walls and parts of the eastern main tower remain intact today. The surviving portions reach up to 10 meters in height.
Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Umień
The Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Umień is a notable example of wooden sacred architecture typical of the eastern Greater Poland region. Here’s a detailed overview of its history and structure:
The village of Umień, located 12 km south of Koło, was first mentioned in King Casimir the Great's document from 1364. The parish was established in the 14th century, initially belonging to the Archdiocese of Gniezno until 1818, then to the Archdiocese of Warsaw, followed by the Diocese of Łódź (1920-1925), and since 1925, it has been part of the Diocese of Włocławek.
The church is listed as a heritage site and protected under Poland's register of monuments. It remains a protected landmark and accessible for outside viewing.
The first wooden church was likely founded in the 14th century by the local lords, the Unieński family, and was first mentioned in 1443.
In 1759, a public chapel was confirmed in Umień, preceding the current church's construction, which was completed by the second half of the 17th century. Throughout its history, the church has undergone various restorations, particularly after World War II when it was looted by the Germans. Restoration efforts have occurred in 1756, 1864, 1929, 1946, 1958, with additional works completed in 1992 and 1999.
The church is orientated, with a wooden frame construction, clad in timber and supported by braces. The building features a single nave, with a narrower, three-sided presbytery to the east and a sacristy attached to the north. On the north side, a square chapel with a tent roof has been added. On the south and west sides, two porches (kruchty) were constructed. A two-pitched roof, covered with metal sheets, rises above the nave, topped by a steeple with a bell.
The interior has a flat, vaulted ceiling and retains Rococo furnishings. Notable is the 18th-century polychrome depicting St. Michael the Archangel.
The wooden bell tower, built in the 18th century, has a four-sided metal roof. The upper section is covered with metal cladding, with slatted openings and a cross-topped lantern.
The churchyard is surrounded by a brick and stone wall with a metal gate, adding to the overall historic feel of the site.
Castle in Besiekiery
The Castle in Besiekiery is a late Gothic fortress located in the village of Besiekiery, in Łęczyca County, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland. The castle's ruins provide a glimpse into its historical significance and architectural development over the centuries.
The castle remains in a state of ruin, but the remains of its residential house and other architectural features can still be seen. The walls and corners of the residential building stand as a testament to its past grandeur.
Today, the castle is a tourist site, and while it has seen restoration work, much of its structure is still in ruins. The surrounding area is being developed with tourism facilities to make it more accessible to visitors.
The castle was likely built at the turn of the 15th to 16th century. The exact origin of its construction is unclear. Early theories suggested Mikołaj Sokołowski, the voivode of Łęczyca, was behind it, though this has been disputed. Instead, it is thought to have been commissioned by one of the Brzeski chamberlains, Mikołaj Sokołowski (1496–1502) or Wojciech Sokołowski (1502–1529).
By the late 16th century, the castle belonged to Andrzej Batory and later his daughter Zofia Batory and her husband Jerzy Rakoczy II.
In the mid-17th century, the castle was renovated by Jan Szymon Szczawiński, who added plaster to the walls, diminishing the fortification’s original Gothic appearance.
The structure suffered from a fire in 1731, which accelerated its decay. By the mid-19th century, it had been repurposed for agricultural uses.
In 2023, renovation work commenced, with the project concluding in December 2024, including conservation and landscaping, creating a new tourism infrastructure around the site.
The castle was built on a mound surrounded by an artificial moat. Constructed with brick on a stone foundation, the plan was an irregular rectangle, measuring approximately 38 × 40 meters.
The southern curtain featured a gatehouse measuring about 12 × 12 meters, which had three floors, each with four rooms. Around 1653, an octagonal tower was added to the gatehouse.
On the northern side, the main residential building was erected, measuring 13 meters in width. It consisted of three smaller rectangular rooms and a square hall on the eastern wall. These rooms were described in the 18th century as the Crimson Room, Marble Room, Hall, and Grand Chamber. Seven windows opened towards the inner courtyard.
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