Bobolice Castle

Bobolice Castle, situated on a steep, rocky hill in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, was built by King Casimir the Great between 1350 and 1352 as a defensive structure protecting Lesser Poland from Czech invasions. Its architecture is defensive in nature and consists of a two-story residential building and a cylindrical tower, surrounded by walls with battlements made of local white limestone. The castle is accessed via a drawbridge over a dry moat and is covered with black roof tiles. The castle's history is rich with legends, including the tale of the White Lady, the ghost of the Krezo family's niece, and the story of twins who hid treasure in a tunnel between the castles of Bobolice and Mirów, guarded by a witch. The castle passed through many owners, and its fate was complicated by wars, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was repeatedly captured and destroyed, including during the Swedish Deluge. In the 18th century, the castle fell into ruin, and its walls began to be used for road construction. In the 19th century, treasure was discovered in its cellars, attracting treasure hunters, and after World War II, the castle's remains were partially dismantled. Since the 1990s, the Lasecki family has undertaken the reconstruction of the castle, which was completed in 2011. The reconstruction sparked controversy due to the lack of reliable sources regarding the castle's original appearance, leading to the structure being built based on analogies to similar buildings, which drew criticism from historians and conservators. The castle grounds were used as a filming location for the popular TV series "The Crown of the Kings." Bobolice Castle is now not only a tourist attraction but also an important part of local culture and history.