The ruins of the Ogrodzieniec Castle in Podzamcze - Station 06 – The Chambers of Boner family

Description

We invite you now to the chambers of Boner family. They are located on the south-western side of the keep. Preserved till today are the bedroom (photo 07.06.001), the toilet (photo 07.05.002), and the study. In the latter there was a cache library. This room is covered with well-preserved window openings (photo 07.05.003-07.05.004). In the bedroom, however, in the floor there is visible small hatch. It leads to a room with no windows, which probably was a treasure closet of Seweryn Boner.

Boner family came into Poland from Germany in the second half of the 15th century. They were engaged in banking business, thanks to which they very quickly earned the influence and assets. Jan Boner was knighted in 1514, and a year later became a royal official. It is said that Zygmunt Stary could not manage without him. On the other hand Franciszek was a judge of the Supreme Court on Wawel. The afore described Seweryn was the nephew of Jan. He held a number of prestigious offices and was a royal banker’s adviser. He was famous for the wide range of contacts and interests in culture and art, as evidenced by his correspondence with Erasmus of Rotterdam. He supported the reconstruction of Wawel and founded the altar in the St. Mary’s church in Kraków.

His interests were also reflected in the appearance of Ogrodzieniec Castle, which, called ”Little Wawel“, was filled with tapestries and precious furniture. The inventory of 1665 contained information about furnaces with painted tiles, marble fireplaces and floors, painted chests in the treasure house, decorated balustrades, and wrought iron door. No wonder that guests often compared it to Wawel.

However, those magnificence have not gained recognition in the eyes of the local population, which assessed Boners as cruel and greedy. Legend has it that the castle was once inhabited by two brothers. The locals called them bonarkowie (from the name Bonor), or misers. The desire of the brothers was that after death they were to be buried with all their valuables in a deep grave in the courtyard of the castle. The place of burial was guarded constantly by four knights. Their swords were sprayed with holy water to have power to chase away evil spirits. This story can be confirmed by real events. It is said that the tomb of Seweryn was desecrated four times.

The windows of Boner family’s chambers overlook the knight courtyard (photo 07.05.005). It was surrounded by a very thick wall and helped to consolidate the defence of the castle. As the name states knights' tournaments and demonstrations were organized there. The audience watched them from stone tribunes. In the corner was located a tower (photo 07.05.006). The significance of this part of castle is proved by the fact that it is till today very well-preserved.