The 10 Best Castles in Lesser Poland Province, Southern Poland

The Castle in Dębno is the only preserved in Małopolska historical building of magnate and residential architecture, erected at the end of the 15th century in the place of earlier buildings dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, founded by Jakub Dębiński of the Odrowąż coat of arms, the Castellan of Cracow, the Chancellor of Poland. As the only preserved magnate seat of 1480, it amazes with its modernity in comparison with the then modern secular architecture. It has excellently preserved elements of architectural decorations made of stone (portals, window frames, decorations of bay windows). It comprises 4 buildings concentrated around a trapezoidal courtyard, covered with hipped roofs.

Serving as a royal residence and the site where the country's rulers governed Poland for five centuries (1038-1596), this castle is a symbol of the independent Polish state and today contains a priceless collection of 16th-century Flemish tapestries, considered to be one of the largest in the world.

Renaissance castle located along the Eagles' Nest Trail features a lovely courtyard with a delicate arcade and an exhibition of European art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

The Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka was the historical seat of the mine's management board between the 13th century and 1945. Currently is available to tourists and is the official seat of the Cracow Saltworks of Wieliczka. You can see: - Tower: (14th century) the only facility of this type preserved in Medieval urban fortifications - Shaft: (13th century) the oldest in Poland. - Saltworks kitchen (15th century) and an astounding collection of of salt cellars (16-20 century), approx. 400 in all. The Wieliczka Saltworks Castle was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Admission 8/5 PLN, family ticket 15 PLN, Saturday free. Guided tours in English 45 PLN per person; must be booked at least 14 days in advance.