Gołańcz Castle

Gołańcz Castle, a 15th-century ruin, boasts a rich history dating back to the 13th century when the town was owned by the Pałuk family. The first stone structures were initiated by Maciej, the Bishop of Włocławek. His nephew, Tomisław, continued the construction of a residential donjon tower, characteristic of medieval strongholds. In the 15th century, the castle was expanded with a perimeter wall and a cylindrical tower, and its subsequent owners, the Grudziński family, carried out further modernizations. The castle held strategic importance, as evidenced by events during the Swedish Deluge when it was captured by the Swedes, and its defenders met a tragic death. After these events, the castle was repeatedly rebuilt but eventually fell into ruin and was abandoned around 1830. The castle’s history is also tied to the legend of Hanka, a beautiful young noblewoman who participated in the defense of the fortress and met a tragic end in Lake Smolary. Architecturally, the castle featured a stone tower surrounded by wooden buildings and a defensive moat system. Today, the ruins are secured, and the castle has gained significance as a tourist attraction while still retaining its mysterious atmosphere linked to local legends. It is worth noting that in 2010, a mass grave of victims of the Swedish invasion was discovered, highlighting the tragedy of past events. The castle ruins, with preserved sections of walls and a Baroque gate, are open to tourists and offer an intriguing destination, combining history, culture, and regional legends.