The ruins of the Ogrodzieniec Castle in Podzamcze - Station 03 - Entrance and the main courtyard

Description

The entrance to the castle pass through the gate tower. Coming closer to it, on the left you can see the remnant of the dry moat that encircled the entire building (photo 07.03.001).Over the moat hang the moat drawbridge. Nowadays, you enter in the castle on a stone driveway (photo 07.03.002). Originally, the entrance was through a crack in the rock. In the 16th century it was walled and a 6 storeys square gate tower was built (photo 07.03.003). The tower had defensive task – that is why there are the battlements on the top as well as bullet holes and windows on the walls (photo 07.03.004-07.003.007). Some of them, as well as the gateway itself, plays an aesthetic role (photo 07.03.008-07.003.011). Above the entrance was placed a plaque with a Latin golden inscription: “Seweryn Bonar z Balic w Ogrodzieńcu, Ojcowie, Kamieńcu, żupnik, burgrabia i pełnomocnik, wielkorządca krakowski, biecki, czchowski, rabsztyński starosta z fundamentów wzniósł” (commemoration of the founder, Seweryn Bonar)

In the tower there was the castle chapel, linked with the legend of the iron door. It has it that Seweryn Boner had a beautiful and young wife, who often flirted with the soldiers. When, during the absence of her husband, she committed betrayal, went in the castle chapel begging God for forgiveness. Alas, the door slammed shut behind her and she could not leave the tower. When her husband returned from the war, he looked for her everywhere. Finally, he realized his wife was trapped in the chapel and had the door broke down. Inside, he found his wife lifeless. Long grief and mourning lasted; he could not bear staying in the castle and, after a solemn funeral, he left. Robbers attacked the abandoned building, but the only thing they were able to steal was these door lying in the courtyard. It is said they used it to closed behind them the entrance to their hiding place in Okiennik Duży. Today, these gate lead to the sacristy in the church of Ogrodzieniec.

After passing through the gate, looking back you will see the original stone arch, placed above the entrance (photo 07.03.012) and, over the gate, the exposed interior of the tower (photo 07.03.013).

The current shape of the keep courtyard was mainly due to Boner. From the courtyard you can see the rooms built by them on the left (photo 07.03.014) and by the Włodków family on the right (Photo 07.03.015). Individual chambers were located at different levels. They were composed in the rock and it was possible to get there by using wooden porches. Railings and porches system was complicated, as none of them entirely encircled the courtyard. Thanks to that the castle looked really exceptional.

Around the courtyard, today you can see small shops with souvenirs (photo 07.03.016). These are reconstructions of rooms from Boner époque. Centuries ago, these extensions also were called shops. They had, however, a different character. There were warehouses, storerooms, and the chamber of the doorman. Interestingly, good ventilation was ensured by exploiting openwork floor.

Careful tourists have here a unique opportunity to observe at rarity from the construction point of view (photo 07.03.017). We suggest to draw you attention to the windows. At first glance it may seem that they were placed randomly. However, on the wall you can see also holes on which were based beams, defining the limits of the old storeys. In the courtyard there is also a rainwater tank, built by Włodków family (photo 07.03.022).