Baranów Castle

The Castle in Baranów is regarded as being amongst the most valued historic monuments of Renaissance architecture in Poland. It is commonly referred to as ‘the Small Wawel’.

Built at the end of the 16th century, the castle was constructed in the shape of a rectangle with four round turrets in the corners and a round tower in the centre of the front elevation, which contains the main entrance gate. The inner court is surrounded by three residential extensions, and the fourth side comprises the screen wall surmounted with a late-Renaissance attic. There are cloisters in the screen wall and two flanked extensions. The dense mass of of the castle is vivified by four cupolas crowning the angle turrets and a sophisticated attic on the front elevation. King Stefan Batory was a frequent visitor here, and in the period between the 16th and the 19th centuries, Baranów played a significant role in the Reformation. The Lubomirski family rebuilt the castle, assigning the task to Tylman of Gameren, one of the most famous European architects. At present, the castle’s attractions include the Museum of Interiors, a hotel and a restaurant. Numerous events are held here, such as feasts, musical nights, and outdoor picnics.