Pieskowa Skala Castle is one of the highlights of the Malopolska region. Located only 30 km from Krakow, on the hill rising above the picturesque valley of the River Pradnik and surrounded by the forests of the Ojcow National Park.
Castle
Early 14th century defensive stronghold – the Pieskowa Skala Castle has taken on quite a different character from its counterpart over the centuries and today stands as one of the most glorious examples of Renaissance residential architecture in Poland.
Altered and expanded many times over the centuries, the castle boasts a princely gateway and courtyard, whilst inside there is a delightful exhibition of art and artefacts culled from the Royal Collection at Wawel.
At the base of the castle are two ponds between which is a mass grave for 65 insurgents killed during the 1863 January uprising against the Russian Empire.
Museum
Following restoration works, Pieskowa Skala is now home to three permanent exhibits:
- Polish 14th to 19th Century Art
- English Art Gallery
- Exhibit on the castle's history
The rooms follow chronological themes, ranging through Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Biedermeier.
Nearby of Pieskowa Skala
Pieskowa Skala is linked to Kazimierz's Castle and the centre of Ojcow via an 8km hike along the red trail. Ojcow is the attractive village with villas and buildings of the old resort, ruins of a castle, Lokietek Cave and the Dark Cave.