Castle in Nowy Wisnicz.
The
written history of Wisnicz Castle began in 14th century when gothic castle
of powerful Kmita family, standing on this site, guarded the trade route
leading to Hungary. In the 16th century under Piotr Kmita III the Castle
developed into splendid magnate rsidence and become a significant cultural
and political centre.
Piotr Kmita III died childless and, in 1593, Sebastian
Lubomirski, Starosta of Spisz and holder of royal salt mines, bought the
castle with surrounding land from Kmita's heirs. Sebastian Lubomirski's
son Stanislaw turned out to best lord of the Castle. In early 17th century
the he commisioned Italian masters to reconstruct the Castle and to close
it in defence walls and bastions according to the design called palazzo
in fortezza.
The art collection in Wisnicz included the paintings by Raphael,
Titian, Durer. On the Castle hill, Stanislaw Lubomirski built the teatre,
laid out the park and menagerie, and, as a symbol of thanksgiving after
the victory of Chocim in 1621, he built and fortified the Carmelite Monastery
(it is prison presently) .
Despite
the outstanding defence capacity of this complex, the Castle and Monastery
surrended to the Swedes in 1655 without a struggle and were looted and
devastated.
In the following period, the Castle's significance as cultural
centre and the seat of the Lubomirski family was fading. Since 1720 it
often changed hands between the families of Sanguszko. Potocki and Zamoyski.
In 19th century two severe fires destroyed a substantial part of the Castle.
In 1901 the Assembly of the Lubomirski Families bought the
Castle from current owner, Maurycy Straszewski, and engaged in the restoration
work interrupted by Second World War.
The Castle may be visited only in groups of at least 10 people accompanied
by the Castle guide.
The
Castle is open:
in high season: 1 may - 31 october
-Monday- Thursday 9:00-16:00
- Friday 9:00-17:00
- Saturday
10:00-17:00
- Sunday and holidays 10:00-18:00
in low season: 1 november- 30 april
- Monday-Friday 9:00-14:00
*this information was valid on 15/06/2006
Text is based on information hanged in the Castle.
