NAME OF THE MONUMENT: The Royal Castle in Chęciny – central POLAND
TYPE OF MONUMENT: the royal castle (with some parts in ruins), built on a hill – 367 m. high. Tourists can see outer defensive walls, the two towers, the bastille and the foundation of the residential buildings. From the eastern tower you can see a beautiful panorama. LOCATION/ POLAND The commune: Chęciny in the Holy Cross Mountains region. It is is one of the most visited heritage site in Poland. Huge bastilles dominate in the area and are visible from the road leading from Kielce to Cracow. YEAR/ PERIOD/ ARCHITECT It was built at the turn of XIII and XIV century. The first documents mention the castle in 1306. We do not know the name of the architect. USES OF THE MONUMENT: a museum Earlier, it was the residence of Royal Families, queens and widows, for example Adelaide,Elizabeth and the great Polish Queen Bona, born in Italy. The fortress was the garrison ensured the safety of the travellers too. It was a place of important political meetings and sometimes, the royal treasury had been kept there. In the XVI century, the fortress served as a prison. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS : dimensions, material... It is build of stone. It consists of defensive walls and two towers, the bastille and the residential buildings preserved only in fragments or foundations. OPENING TIMES : During the whole year it is open every day from 9 o’clock. It closes at 3 o’clock from November till February. In summer it closes very late - at 8 o’clock p.m. TICKETS RATES: It costs 9 Polish zlotys for students to enter the castle. Adults pay: 12 Polish zlotys or 8 Polish zlotys if they are in a group of 20 people. Families: parents with more than 2 children pay less. Entrance is free of charge for: children under the age of 5 years AMAZING FACTS When Queen Bona was leaving Chęciny, her treasury was transported by 24 horse-drawn wagons. There were 140 horses included in the operation. After winning the Battle of Grunwald in the year 1410, the important Teutonic prisoners of war were kept imprisoned in the castle.