Just east of Kraków there is a beautiful small town of Baranów Sandomierski which can be a nice weekend getaway. The town is well known for the picturesque Baranów Sandomierski castle, which is one of the most valuable and at the same time one of the most well-preserved renaissance objects in Poland. Located on the east bank of the Vistula River, this former Polish magnate residence is known as “little Wawel” from its magnificent appearance which was designed in reference to the Royal Wawel Castle in Krakow.
The Castle was erected at the end of the 16th century and has changed hands several times from Baranowski, to Wiśniowiecki, to Lubomirski, and then finally to Krasicki families. The biggest highlight of the castle is its beautiful cloistered rectangular inner courtyard, which looks much like the style of Royal Wawel Castle. You will marvel at its unique portals and the richly decorated attic on its front elevation. It’s believed that the castle was originally designed by the Italian architect and sculptor Santi Gucci and then was reconstructed by its later owners, including Princess Teofila Ludwika Zasławska who converted the castle in 1683 and added a picture gallery to the west wing and embellished the interiors with profuse late-baroque stucco decorations. Although the castle was destroyed by fire and war, the building itself survived and was rebuilt and restored in 20 century, returning the historic building to its former glory.
Today, the castle is home to a historical museum and a three-star Hotel, surrounded by a 14-hectare beautiful park with a golf course, making it an ideal place to relax.?
Photo: baranow.com.pl
