Today we invite you on a journey to the heart of Greater Poland, by the Warta River. Before our eyes stands the Ruin of the Royal Castle in Koło – a place steeped in history, a witness to past glory and turbulent times.

It is not just a pile of bricks and stones; it is a tale of kings, battles, intrigues, and the daily life of the Middle Ages. Walking through the remnants of this Gothic stronghold, we can feel the spirit of centuries past. Did you know what secrets these walls conceal?

Together, we will discover the genesis, architecture, social and political role, as well as lesser-known fascinating facts about this place. Perhaps you wonder what the castle looked like when it was bustling with life? Or are you looking for practical information on visiting? You will learn everything from our guide. Let us delve into the captivating history of this royal jewel! (Though, truth be told, “jewel” might be a bit strong a word for today’s ruins, do consider its historical significance!)

Genesis and beginnings of the Koło castle

The history of the castle in Koło is deeply rooted in the annals of the Polish state. Although its origins are shrouded in a degree of mystery, we know for certain that the fortified castle, erected on the opposite bank of the Warta, played a key role in strengthening borders and securing the region.

The beginnings of this impressive structure are linked to the construction initiative of two rulers: Władysław I Łokietek and the Bohemian king Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, who reigned in Greater Poland between 1300 and 1305. It was during this period that the castle is thought to have begun to take shape as an important defensive point.

While the exact date of its construction is a matter of debate, it is undoubtedly tied to the dynamic political changes of the early 14th century.

The castle in the light of historical sources: from legends to facts

Chroniclers, including the famous Jan Długosz, attributed the castle’s construction to Casimir the Great, the last of the Piasts on the Polish throne. Historical and archaeological research, however, suggests that Casimir the Great did not so much build the castle from scratch, but rather expanded an existing structure. His contribution to strengthening the stronghold was nonetheless significant.

The castle then served a strategic function as a link in the defence system against Teutonic incursions, securing an important crossing over the Warta and serving as a customs house, profiting from river trade, which during the Jagellonian period, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, was of immense economic importance to the Commonwealth.

Casimir the Great’s participation in its expansion is a fact that confirms how important this location was on the map of his kingdom.

First mentions of the castle: who, when, and why?

The oldest known mention concerning Koło appears in a town charter from 1362. It was then that Casimir the Great issued a document by virtue of which the town of Koło was granted municipal rights. In the same document, Vogt Henryk received the right to build a manor, a bathhouse, and two mills.

The royal manor in Koło, mentioned above, was frequently used by monarchs during their stays in Koło. In a privilege from 1502, Alexander Jagellon described the royal manor square, used by kings during their visits. He decided then that the townsfolk were to build a town hall, stalls, and butchers’ shops on this square.

Interestingly, the left-bank castle did not serve as a royal residence for as long as the manor did, which shows that the latter also held great significance for the royal administration and court life in the town. (It’s quite counter-intuitive, isn’t it? That the manor was more important than the castle as a residence).

Architecture and development of the Koło stronghold

The castle in Koło, built in a bend of the Warta, took advantage of the natural defensive conditions offered by the river flowing here in several branches and forming a sort of delta in the Middle Ages.

It was on one of these islands that the Koło castle was decided to be built, making it difficult to capture. Its original layout and subsequent expansion reflect the evolution of medieval fortification art in the Kingdom of Poland.

The Keep – Heart of the Medieval Stronghold, and its Secrets

Probably the oldest part of the castle was the stone keep, already functioning in the first half of the 14th century. It was a residential tower or residence, extending entirely beyond the perimeter walls.

Its foundations were made of solid field stones, and the walls were built of sandstone and brick. The keep was an impressive structure, comprising at least three storeys. It was likely the only stone building within the castle complex in the initial period, apart from the previously mentioned towers.

The entrance to the keep led from the courtyard. Interestingly, one of the rooms in the keep contained a well, in which archaeologists found Teutonic shillings. These coins, minted under the reigns of Grand Masters Winrich von Kniprode and Johann von Tieffen from 1372 in the Rhineland, are a fascinating testimony to contacts, perhaps trade-related or perhaps related to skirmishes, with the Teutonic Order. The castle’s administration, and probably daily and political life, was centred in the space of the former keep. (Who would have thought that a few coins could tell so many stories!).

Defensive Walls and Towers: What did the Koło Fortification System look like?

During the reign of Casimir the Great, the stronghold underwent significant expansion. The king erected a solid sequence of stone-and-brick walls that surrounded the original, probably wooden, fortifications.

In the southern corner of the castle stood a mighty main tower, the bergfried. It had a square plan at the base, transitioning higher up into a cylindrical one. The keep may have even been taller than it, attesting to its dominant role.

From the Gothic defensive structure, fragments of the perimeter wall have survived to our times, especially in the western part. The corner tower has been preserved to a height of 16 metres, as have the relics of the gate tower.

Next to a postern gate located in the southern curtain wall, a third tower with a rectangular plan measuring 8 x 9 m was erected. The relics of this tower are found near the southern wall. These elements testify to a well-thought-out defensive system designed to ensure the safety of the king and the castle’s inhabitants.

Who Actually Expanded the Koło Castle? The Role of Casimir the Great

Although precise dating is difficult, most historians are inclined to believe that it was Casimir the Great who was the actual founder of the Koło castle in its stone form. The king granted Koło municipal rights in 1362 and began building the castle nearby.

This structure, built on a rectangular plan, represents the type of a regular lowland castle. Its creation was an integral part of a broader undertaking to strengthen state borders, especially in central Greater Poland, which was exposed to attacks from the Teutonic Order, then the most formidable enemy of Poland.

Archaeologists discovered a Casimir’s Quarter Groschen, a silver coin minted at the Kraków mint between 1365 and 1370, in the tower’s foundation. This is strong evidence that construction work was already advanced during this period.

The construction of the Koło castle, attributed, or more precisely, the expansion by Casimir the Great, included adding perimeter walls and the aforementioned distinctive tower in the southern corner of the courtyard. It is thanks to him that the castle acquired the shape that largely survived until its decline.

The castle in the social and political life of medieval Poland

The castle in Koło was much more than just a defensive structure. It was a vibrant centre of power, administration, and social life. Its strategic location on the Warta meant it played a significant role in the defence system of the Kingdom of Poland, but it was also an important point on trade and communication routes.

For centuries, it hosted kings, princes, and representatives of the nobility, witnessing momentous events.

The Castle’s Role in the Defence System of Greater Poland – A Shield over the Warta?

The castle in Koło was intended to guard an important crossing over the Warta and secure central Greater Poland against attacks by the Teutonic Knights. In the Jagellonian era, especially in the 15th century, when the Teutonic Knights posed a real threat, its defensive role was invaluable.

The castle remained under the management of representatives of royal power, which underscored its importance for state security. It was part of a larger system of fortifications in the region, which also included other strongholds, such as the remnants of the royal castle in Przedecz or the castles of the Bishops of Poznań in Konin and the Bishops of Gniezno in Uniejów.

The Castle as the Seat of the Royal Starostas: Who Ruled from the Koło Fortress?

Since the time of Casimir the Great, the castle served as the seat of royal starostas. The starosta was an important official managing the castle and surrounding estates on behalf of the monarch. We know that in 1383, the function of starosta of Koło was held by Krystyn of Koziegłowy, of the Lis coat of arms, a supporter of the Grzymała faction.

Unfortunately, he was also known for plundering the estates of Archbishop Bodzanta, a supporter of the Nałęcz faction, in Turek and Grzegorzew. Later, the Koło tenutary was held by Krystyn the Younger of Koziegłowy, Krystyn’s son.

The starosty of Koło in Jagellonian times was the subject of a publication by A. Gąsiorowski. The list of starostas of Koło is long and colourful. After Krystyn, the starosta became Jan Zawiszyc of Garbów, son of the famous Zawisza Czarny and Barbara of Lubstowo. Jan died in the Battle of Chojnice, and his body was buried in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Koło.

In 1452, at the sejm in Piotrków, Casimir Jagellon granted the castle of Koło, the town of Brdów, and the adjacent villages to the Castellan of Sandomierz, Jan Hincza of Rogów. Later, the land of Koło became compensation for Princess Anna Oleśnicka when the Polish state incorporated her Duchy of Sochaczew.

The starosty was taken over by Sławiec of Niemygłowy, of the Bolesta coat of arms, Chamberlain of Sochaczew, after whom the function was assumed by a canon of Kruszwica. We know the names of several canons who held this role between 1485 and 1491: Jarand of Brudzew, Ambroży Pampowski, and Jan Kościelecki.

Jan Kościelecki, a canon from 1491, received the office in exchange for a loan of 2800 florins granted to Jan Olbracht. After Kościelecki’s death, the starosta became György de Paludia, known as Jerzy Węgier (George the Hungarian), a mercenary knight of King Alexander Jagellon.

He resold the rights to the tenutary to Jarosław Sokołowski, who was in close relations with King Władysław Jagellon of Bohemia and allocated 500 florins for the castle’s renovation. His wife, the French widow Maria de Marcellanges, lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Bohemia Anna de Foix, remarried Jan Leszczyński, starosta of Radziejów.

In 1519, the starosty was taken over by Anna Górkówna, daughter of the wealthiest citizen of Greater Poland. Her husband Piotr Kmita and she died childless, and Koło passed into the hands of her nephew, Voivode of Poznań, Stanisław Górka. Rotmistrz Ruszkowski was the last administrator of the castle, as written by Edward Raczyński in the 19th century. As you can see, for centuries the castle was a place managed by significant figures in Polish history. (Truth be told, this list of starostas is a real journey through Polish history!).

The Castle’s Significance for the Nobility and Monarchs: Was it a True Residence?

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Koło donjon was a unique object and belonged to a select few exclusive residences in contemporary Poland. Kings and other elites of medieval society visited it.

Among others, Władysław Jagellon and Casimir Jagellon visited the castle in Koło. It was in Koło that the king, together with the Crown Council, made decisions concerning the war with the Order in the years 1431-35.

In 1452, at the Koło fortress, Casimir Jagellon received the delegation of the Prussian Confederation and also met with representatives of the Lizard Union. Casimir Jagellon could spend almost half a winter in the residence with his entire retinue, which testifies to its comfort and representative character.

Despite its importance, not all monarchs visited the town. Henry Valois, Stephen Báthory, and kings from the House of Vasa did not visit Koło as significantly as the Jagellonians. It’s quite odd, isn’t it, that some simply bypassed this important place?

Decline and ruin of the Koło castle

Medieval strongholds, although almost impregnable in their time, began to lose significance in the face of technological progress. The castle in Koło was no exception. Its slow decline was primarily linked to the changing military technology.

Changing Military Technology: Cannon vs. Medieval Wall

The invention of firearms revolutionised the way wars and sieges were conducted. Mighty walls that once provided reliable defence became increasingly vulnerable to destruction by artillery. The defensive system based on thick walls and towers lost its effectiveness.

In the 17th century, the starostas of Koło, along with the burgraves representing them, no longer resided in the Gothic stronghold but in the manor in Kościelec. A record from 1616-20 mentions allocating only 400 florins for renovation work on the castle, which was an insufficient sum.

The 1607 Act on the municipal status of castles imposed an obligation on the starosta to spend a specified sum each year on the upkeep of the castle and its equipment, such as cannons, cannonballs, bronze, and gunpowder. The lack of regular and sufficient investment in the castle’s maintenance and modernisation led to its gradual degradation. By the mid-17th century, the castle was already described as castellum destructum, meaning a destroyed castle.

The Swedish Deluge and the Castle’s Final Destruction – That Decisive Moment

The turning point that sealed the fate of the Koło castle was the Swedish Deluge. During the Swedish invasion in 1656, Swedish troops attempted to blow up the castle.

Although the solidity of the Gothic walls somewhat saved it from complete destruction, the stronghold suffered serious damage from which it never recovered. The Swedes, a nation with an interesting military history, contributed to the fall of many Polish strongholds at that time.

The Castle’s Fate After its Decline: From Demolition to Today’s Ruins

After the Swedish Deluge, the castle became a ruin. In 1693, the castle ruin became the property of the Bernardine order. The Coronation Sejm during the reign of King Augustus III gifted the castle to the Friars Minor Bernardine monastery.

However, the friars gained no benefit from the rubble. On the contrary, they undertook the dismantling of the castle ruins, using the material to rebuild their monastery church, which had been destroyed by a flood. This practical step accelerated the castle’s disappearance from the landscape, leaving behind only picturesque remnants. An aerial view of the ruins from the 1920s shows the advanced state of destruction.

The castle today: archaeological research and what the future holds?

Today, the medieval castle in Koło is primarily fascinating ruins, attracting history enthusiasts and mystery seekers. Despite the passage of centuries and the damage, this place still holds many secrets, which are gradually being revealed by the work carried out here.

Current State of the Ruins and Conservation Works

Currently, the ruins of the castle in Koło, located among the backwaters of the Warta River, constitute a picturesque element of the landscape. Although the castle is in a state of ruin, its preserved fragments of perimeter walls, the corner tower (preserved to a height of 16 metres), and the relics of the gate tower give an idea of its former grandeur.

In 2020, work began aimed at conserving and securing the ruins. In the summer of 2022, the castle was still undergoing conservation work, which means that efforts are being made to protect these valuable remnants for future generations.

Access to the courtyard may be restricted during renovation, but it is worth keeping track of information about the progress of the work. Importantly for visitors, there is nothing preventing you from bringing your dog here. Cows can graze freely near the ruins, adding a pastoral character to the place. (It really is a charming sight!).

Secrets of the Koło Castle: What Have Archaeologists Discovered?

It is archaeologists, such as Dr Tomasz Olszacki and Artur Różański from the Institute of Archaeology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, who are conducting archaeological research at the Koło castle, uncovering its hidden stories.

The aforementioned Teutonic shillings found in the keep’s well are just one example of the fascinating artefacts that help reconstruct the picture of life in the castle and its connections. Archaeological research sheds new light on the castle’s original appearance, its layout, and the functions of individual buildings.

Thanks to them, we know more about the building material (field stones, sandstone, brick), the layout of the courtyard buildings (almost all, excluding the annex by the southern wall, were made of wood), and the function of the suburbium located to the south-west of the walls, which served as a service area for the castle. As my historian friend says, “ruins can speak, if you just know how to listen.” And the archaeologists from Koło certainly know how to.

The secrets of the Koło castle may never be fully uncovered, but each new find brings us closer to understanding its past.

Prospects for Revitalization and the Tourist Significance of the Ruins

The ongoing conservation and securing works offer hope for the revitalisation of the Koło castle. Although full reconstruction may be difficult, securing the existing walls and making them safely accessible to tourists is crucial. Or perhaps, thinking about the future, conservation is precisely the most important thing, so that anything at all remains for posterity.

The castle ruins have immense tourist significance – they attract history enthusiasts, families with children, and anyone who wants to feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Successful revitalisation could restore some of their former beauty to the ruins and make them an even more important point on the tourist map of Greater Poland. When planning a visit, it is worth checking the current opening hours of the ruins and potential changes in accessibility related to the works.

The castle is already a destination for many trips today, and visitor reviews often highlight its charm and historical value. Many people search online for current photos of the ruins to see how they look after the conservation work. We hope that the coming years will bring further positive changes in the appearance and accessibility of this place. But let’s be honest, despite these efforts, it’s still primarily a ruin, so if you’re looking for luxury, this isn’t the place. (But that’s where the charm of ruins lies!).

Koło – the town and surroundings around the castle

A visit to the castle ruins is an excellent opportunity to explore Koło itself and its picturesque surroundings. The town, closely linked to the history of the castle, has much to offer tourists interested in the past and more.

Koło: A City with History, Location, and Local Attractions

Koło is a district town on the Warta, located about 120 km east of Poznań, on the route to Warsaw. It is a former royal town, which was granted its charter by Casimir the Great in 1362.

It was the seat of starostas and the venue for important noble assemblies. Koło is situated on the north bank of the river, on a former river island. The town’s panorama is dominated by the silhouettes of churches: the Gothic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on the left and the Baroque Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the right. A walk around the town allows you to discover its rich history.

When you look for the castle from across the river, you might get the impression that it is close by. However, to reach it, you need to cross the second bridge and then turn right onto Zamkowa Street. When providing directions to the ruins, it’s worth knowing that Zamkowa Street is an unpaved road, manageable by any passenger car.

A few hundred metres separate us from Zamkowa Street to the ruins. It’s worth knowing that there are no designated parking spaces near the castle, but you can leave your car nearby. (A minor inconvenience, but manageable).

How Did the Castle Influence the Development of the City and Region?

The castle in Koło, erected by Casimir the Great, was an integral part of the undertaking to strengthen state borders and secure central Greater Poland against attacks by the Teutonic Knights. Its existence and function as the seat of royal power had a huge impact on the development of the town of Koło.

Being a royal town, the seat of starostas, and the venue for noble assemblies raised its status and attracted people. The Warta, whose backwaters surround the ruins, also played an important communication and economic role, favouring trade.

Although the castle declined in the 17th century, the town continued its development, drawing on its rich history and strategic location. Unfortunately, the Warta River, which favoured the castle’s location, could also have been a major cause of its destruction, undermining the foundations of the north-western section of the walls.

Climate changes, including the so-called Little Ice Age (1570-1820), which followed a warmer and more stable medieval period, could have influenced increased river activity. Sometimes, when I think about all these factors that influenced the castle’s fate, from cannons to the river’s whims, I feel how complex history can be.

Accommodation and Exploring the Area: What’s Worth Seeing Nearby?

If you are planning a longer stay in Koło and its surroundings, various accommodation options are available. While we cannot specify particular places by name, you will find hotels, guesthouses, or private lodgings in the town and its vicinity. It is worth looking for information on accommodation options available in the area.

The area around Koło also offers other interesting places for castle and history enthusiasts. Within a short distance from Koło, there are ruins or remnants of other strongholds:

• ruins of a 15th-century noble castle (approx. 19 km from Koło),
• remnants of a 16th-century noble castle (approx. 20 km from Koło),
• ruins of a 15th/16th-century knight’s castle (approx. 30 km from Koło),
• remnants of a 14th-century royal castle (approx. 31 km from Koło),
• 15th-century bishops’ castle in Konin (approx. 37 km from Koło),
• 14th-century bishops’ castle in Uniejów (approx. 38 km from Koło).

Visiting these places will allow you to delve deeper into the history of the region and see the diversity of medieval defensive structures in Poland. Conservation work is nearing completion at the castle in Grodziec, and in Swobnica, the Hospitaliers’ castle sought a new owner for a long time. Yes, each of these castles is a separate story, but together they form a fascinating mosaic of history.

The ruin of the castle in Koło, with its history and picturesque location, is a great starting point for discovering these attractions.

Koło Castle – heritage on the water, and what’s next?

The waters of the Warta still reflect the ruins of the Koło castle, being silent witnesses to its turbulent history. From the first attempts to fortify this strategic place, through the times of glory during the reign of the Piasts and Jagellonians, when the castle hosted kings and elites, to the slow decline caused by changes in the art of war and the final destruction during the Swedish Deluge – the history of this structure is a miniature of Poland’s history.

Today, the ruins of the castle in Koło are a valuable heritage that attracts researchers and tourists. The ongoing archaeological and conservation works give hope for a better future for this place, its protection, and even better accessibility for visitors. Time will tell how much of its former glory can be restored.

We hope that when you visit Koło, you will take the time to walk along these historic walls, feel their past significance, and reflect on the fate of this magnificent, though now ruined, stronghold. It is a journey into the past that teaches and fascinates, allowing us to appreciate the richness of Polish heritage.