Ogrodzieniec Castle – Everything You NEED To Know & Review
Ogrodzieniec Castle is one of the most interesting castles in Poland – and is a fantastic place for tourists to visit if they’re history lovers or fans of The Witcher, which was partly filmed there. If you’re thinking of visiting Ogrodzieniec Castle, then check out this post about Ogrodzieniec Castle, everything you need to know and review!
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Contents:
The History of Ogrodzieniec Castle:
Ogrodzieniec Castle is a former medieval castle located in Poland, in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The castle dates back to the 14th century and was originally built by the Silesian Piast dynasty.
Different rulers of the Kingdom of Poland enlarged it several times over the years, including Bolesław Wrymouth in the mid-14th century. Over the years, the Ogrodzieniec Castle changed hands several times, with different rulers taking control of the castle.
It was finally abandoned in 1810 and remained in ruins until the late 20th century. The castle is now a popular tourist destination, with visitors being able to explore its walls, towers, and various chambers – and with plenty of great activities being held in the grounds and nearby.
Where is Ogrodzieniec Castle?
Where is Ogrodzieniec Castle? Ogrodzieniec Castle is located in Poland, in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It is situated near the hill of Valley of Pradolina Silesia, in proximity to the border of the provinces of Lesser Poland and Silesia.
The castle is located 25 kilometres southeast of the city of Jastrzębie Zdrój and about 90 kilometres south of Krakow. It is surrounded by several villages, including Lisowice, Osiecz, and Trzcinica.
The castle is best accessed by car, as it is located off the main road connecting the cities of Krakow and Katowice.
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Ogrodzieniec Castle from Krakow:
How to get from Ogrodzieniec Castle from Krakow? The easiest way to get from Krakow to Ogrodzieniec Castle is by car. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The route involves driving along the A4 motorway, taking the Rzeszów exit and then driving along the S19 expressway in the direction of Kielce. Once close to Ogrodzieniec, take the Przedbórz route and follow the signs for the castle.
It is also possible to visit Ogrodzieniec Castle from Krakow via public transport; however, it takes much longer and involves several different connections. You can also do a Witcher private tour of Ogrodzieniec Castle from Krakow – which is another great option, especially if you’re a fan of the series and want to treat yourself.
Parking at Ogrodzieniec Castle:
Is there parking at Ogrodzieniec Castle? Yes, there is parking available near Ogrodzieniec Castle. Visitors can park their vehicles in private gardens outside the castle. Parking costs vary depending on the length of the stay and whose parking area you visit, but they are around 6-15zl.
How Much is Ogrodzieniec Castle?
How much is Ogrodzieniec Castle? The prices vary on the type of ticket you will buy. It is currently 25zl for a regular ticket, and 18zl for a reduced ticket. Reduced tickets are available for students up to 26 years old, children from the age of 3, pensioners, disabled people and employees of other cultural places and museums.
There is free entry for children under 3 years old, people with physical disabilities in wheelchairs and one guardian per 10 students.
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Ogrodzieniec Castle Witcher:
The Ogrodzieniec Castle was used for the filming of the Witcher TV series, which is based on the popular video game and book series by Andrzej Sapkowski.
The castle features prominently in the series as one of its key backdrops, representing the city of Kaer Morhen and its nearby towers.
Locations within the castle were used to film scenes such as the fight club sequence and several other pivotal moments in the story. The sprawling castle grounds also served as the home of Ciri and the Witcher during the series, providing several visually stunning backdrops.
In addition to the castle, the surrounding area was also extensively used for filming, taking advantage of the stunning views of the mountains and nearby villages.
Ogrodzieniec Castle Review:
I visited Ogrodzieniec Castle in June, and it was such a good experience! It was very easy to get to by car, and the views on the drive there were beautiful. Luckily the weather was also sunny and warm – which really helped!
We parked in someone’s garden, which was simple to find, as people stand outside to direct cars into their properties. It cost around 15zl to park there for the day, but this depends on which garden you park in, as previously mentioned.
Leading up to the castle, there were lots of stalls to buy souvenirs and food from. We stopped at one selling food as we thought it would be cheaper than buying it inside the castle, but once we were on the castle grounds, it turned out to be a similar price – so keep that in mind! Luckily, the food was great – some of the best Pierogi I have ever had – and I’m a self-proclaimed Pierogi connoisseur 🥟
We did not buy tickets in advance; instead, we just bought them on the site. This was about 5 minutes of queueing.
The castle itself is situated on the biggest hill in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, but it is not steep to climb. It is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs, though, and make sure to wear sturdy shoes – there’s a lot of climbing!
On the castle grounds, there were bird displays, handmade items to purchase, plenty of benches to sit on and food to buy. You might even be able to spot people rock climbing.
Walking around the castle is very straightforward as there is a route to follow. There are lots of signs in English and Polish (of course!), which is helpful if you want to learn more about the castle. If you don’t like heights, you might struggle a little bit at some parts – but I don’t really like heights, and I was fine!
Try not to wear a skirt or a dress if you are planning to go up the turret, as there is a part where you have to climb up a ladder – I found that out the hard way, thanks to my boyfriend not telling me in advance 😉
In the castle, you can also buy some food and make your own coin. There is also a bar underground in the castle – which looked like such a unique place to get some drinks.
Make sure to remember to head to the medieval torture display, which is located on the path up to the castle. This was very interesting – and a bit gruesome to think about how people got punished in those times!
We even spotted planes flying around the castle multiple times, so I think you can purchase a private plane ride nearby if this is something you’re interested in. I imagine the views would be stunning!
Overall, Ogrodzieniec Castle is definitely worth visiting if you have the chance. It was fairly quiet when I visited, but even with more people, I believe that it would still be enjoyable. Afterwards, make sure to have a look at the other activities located nearby the castle – there is a high rope park, tobogganing, a haunted house and more!
Things To Do Near Ogrodzieniec Castle:
Ogrodzieniec Castle FAQ
Unless the child can walk, it isn’t really recommended to visit with a small child, as you will not be able to use a pushchair.
Yes, dogs can visit Ogrodzieniec Castle if they are on a leash and are muzzled.
It takes around 1 hour to go around the castle and the grounds, but allow up to 2-3 hours for an enjoyable visit.
Yes, the castle should be open in bad weather, but make sure to call up in advance if you are travelling from far away. The castle will only close if there is a danger to life.
Ogrodzienic Castle Everything You NEED To Know – Conclusion
After reading this post, hopefully, you’ve learnt everything you need to know about Ogrodzieniec Castle! Have you ever visited Ogrodzieniec Castle? What did you like the most about Ogrodzieniec Castle? Are there any other castles in Poland you would recommend? Feel free to reach out and contact me if you need any help or advice. If you liked this post and would like to read some more similar posts, then these are what I’d recommend:
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