Royal Castle in Nowy Sącz

The Royal Castle in Nowy Sącz, built by King Casimir the Great between 1350 and 1360, was a key element of the city's defensive system, situated on a slope at the confluence of the Dunajec and Kamienica rivers. In the Middle Ages, the castle served as the seat of the castellany and the starostwo grodowe (district administration), hosting numerous monarchs, including Louis I of Hungary and the future Queen Jadwiga of Poland. Political changes, war damage, and fires, such as the one in 1768, led the castle to ruin. In the 19th century, after being taken over by the Austrians, the castle was used as barracks and a prison. Reconstruction attempts took place in the early 20th century, and after Poland regained independence, further conservation work was carried out, culminating in the opening of the Museum of the Sądecczyzna Region in 1938. Unfortunately, in 1945, the castle was almost completely destroyed due to an ammunition explosion. Today, only fragments of the walls and the reconstructed Kowalska Tower (from the 1950s) remain. The castle combines a rich history with the legend of a non-existent spring of nymphs, which once attracted knights. After their disappearance, the nymphs were repelled by a brave man who threw a rosary into the water. Today, the castle ruins are surrounded by a city park, making them a popular tourist attraction.