What to see in Niepolomice and surroundings
Niepolomice is a Polish town located in the malopolskie region. Its historical past is documented in old chronicles of Jan Dlugosz and Marcin Bielski. The origins if Niepolomice date back to the early years of the Polish country. During the reign of the first Pasts, when Krakow was the princely headquarters, the nearby Niepolomice Forest becam their favorite hunting place. In the 14th century, king Kazimierz the Great constructed a hunting mansion and a gothic church in Niepolomice. This article will introduce you to some of the major attractions in Niepolomice nad surroundings.
The royal castle in Niepolomice
The royal castle in Niepolomice is a gothic castle from the mid-14th century, located in the centre of Niepolomice.
This extensive castle is sometimes called the „second Wawel”. It was constructed for the order of king Kazimierz the Great. It was supposed to have a defensive function. Fthis castle was a starting point for hunting trips to the nearby Niepolomice Forest. During the reign of king Zygmunt August, the castle was reconstructed. The works were organized
between 1551 and 1568 under the supervision of Tomasz Grzymala and a sculptor named Santi Gucci.
The town hall in Niepolomice
The town hall in Niepolomice is a neo-gothic building constructed in 1903 based on the design of of Jan Sas-Zubrzycki as the headquarters of the town’s authorities. The construction of the town hall was initiated by Wladyslaw Wimmer, who was the mayor of Niepolomice at that time. On th 100th anniversary of the construction, the building was thoroughly renovated. The tower has two wings constructed on a rectangular plan. In 1990, a commemorative board with a dedication to general Walerian Czuma was unveiled to commemorate his 100th birthday.
The church of Ten Thousand Martyrs
The church of Ten Thousand Martyrs is a gothic, brick-made church from the mid-14th century, constructed from the donation of Kazimierz the Great. The origins of the temple date all the way back to 1350, when Jan Bodzanta – the bishop of Krakow appointed a parish, which occupied Niepolomice and 7 nearby villages. In 1596, Jan Branicki – the staroste of Niepolomice founded a mannerist grave chapel for his parents – Grzegorz and Katarzyna. Branicki also founded a new roof for the entire church and liturgical equipment, which can currently be found in the Niepolomice Museum.
The Benedictine Nun Abbey in Staniatki
The Benedictone Nun Abbey in Staniatki is the oldest Polish Benedictine Nun Monastery, located in the village of Staniatki. According to tradition, the monastery was founded in 1228 by Klemens from Brzeznica of the Gryfit family and his wife Raclawa. In 1253, the monastery privileges were confirmed by pope Innocenty IV. The original buildings, which were made from wood and stone, were mostly destroyed during the fire in 1530. The monastery was reconstructed between 1619 and 1649 thanks to the efforts of an abbess named Anna Cecylia Trzcinska.
The Zelenski Palace in Grodkowice
The Zelenski Palace in Grodkowice is one of the most interesting monuments in the Bochnia county. The oldest documents mentioning Grodkowice originated from 1270 In the 17th century, Stanislaw Zelenski acquired the entire wealth of Grodkowice and several nearby villages. In 1670, his son constructed a wooden mansion, which was demolished in 1903. In 1902, Wladyslaw Zelenski constructed a brick-made palace, which was designed by a
well-known architect from Krakow named Teodor Talowski.