Lost in Time: Journeying through Poland's Abandoned Castle

Like something straight out of a storybook fairytale, this colossal renaissance themed now abandoned castle, was surrounded by acres of lush rolling landscape and dates back to the 16th century and still stands proud today, towering over a small village in the heart of southern Poland.
Originally built in the 1500’s for the local and prominent Von Raueck family, it would later fall under the ownership of a German royal physician by the name of Caspar von Eisenhut before then being passing into the hands of the Jesuits and eventually being acquired by millionaire Count Anton Alexander von Magnis in 1780.
So it was under the counts vision that it was spectacularly expanded and fitted with tall circular stone follies on each end, one rising significantly stories taller than the other, almost as if it’s reaching for the heavens above.
It was not until later in the 19th century that the stately structure gained its current look. Sadly ravaged by fire in 1870, a large majority of the interior was rebuilt in a flourish of breathtaking Neo Baroque architecture elements and later, throughout the pre depression era of the 1920’s, Classical and Renaissance Revival elements were also added to the façade.
Given the fate of many of the region’s other notable historic properties, the castle miraculously survived World War II with little sustained damage and would later go onto serve as an agricultural school during the years of communism.
But having survived both the war and the Communist era relatively unscathed, the castle fared less well following Poland’s political transition.  
In 2005, it was ultimately sold to an Irish-based development group for the reported price of 20 million polish zloty or $5 million us. Ambitious though their vision was, plans to turn it into a luxurious hotel and prestigious golf club failed to ever materialize and both decay and dereliction set in – even worse, over the course of time, thieves continually broke in, stripping it of many of its original fixtures and decorative features.
Although the castle sold again in 2010, with the crippling decrease in value of the polish zloty currency continuing to plague the country’s economy, unfortunately there has been little restoration efforts in recent years.
Despite all of this, the breathtaking beauty will forever remain known for its architectural grandeur and for its unique blend of Classical, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque design styles.
The castles intricately designed facade, ornate interior plasterwork, complex hand-carved woodwork, dark oak-lined corridors, and sprawling outdoor gardens, still reflects the opulence and elegance of the bygone era. The architectural significance of the castle has made it a prominent landmark in the region, attracting visitors and photographers from all corners of the world.
Today the once pride and joy of the southern Poland region, is scarred, molded, battered, decayed, and even collapsed. Most of the rooms that once held priceless antique furnishings and rare imported decor, now sit empty and lonely. The walls that once held expensive oil paintings and unique tapestries are now covered in dust, cracks, and cobwebs. But despite it being a mere shell of its former self, the current owners are working tirelessly to help preserve the behemoth structure. It has undergone extensive preservation efforts to maintain its historical integrity. Various organizations and individuals have been involved in safeguarding the castle and its surrounding grounds, ensuring that its architectural and cultural heritage is upheld for future generations to appreciate and cherish for years to come.
In conclusion, the history of this magnificent palace is a woven tapestry of architectural awe, splendor, noble lineage, and cultural significance. As a symbol of the region's rich heritage, the palace continues to stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of its past. Its historical journey is a reflection of the rich tapestry of Polish history and the efforts to preserve its cultural heritage for generations to come.
And that will bring us to the conclusion of today’s video on the 16th Century Abandoned Fairytale Castle. We truly hope that you guys all enjoyed this video, especially as the castle was so big that it ended up taking us near a day and a half to film and document everything not to mention the amount of zloty that we had to fork over to the whiskey loving caretaker. For more photographs from the castle, and from our other abandoned locations, check out our website at Abandonedcentral.com. so don’t forget subscribe to Abandoned Central on YouTube so that you get all the latest videos and one more important thing if you want to help support us in creating these videos, please consider donating by clicking the super thanks link next to the download icon any amount is greatly appreciated. thank you Friends!