The Royal Castle in Poznan

Poznan is a landmark town for every Pole. The fate of the Polish state was sealed here, and many historic events that changed situations dramatically took place. The area is home to the Royal Castle of Przemysl. It is called the sacred place of the Polish state. It is situated on the Przemyslowa Hill and impresses with its majestic exterior.

Historical background

Once upon a time, the hilltop was a stronghold of heathen tribes. Later their descendants became the Poles. The area has a peculiar energy, as many describe it. Because of the comfortable feeling of being here, King Przemysl decided to build a fortress here.

Initially, the structure had little appeal. It was a typical fortress used as a defensive structure. It occupied a small area but was strong. After the death of the king and his son Przemysl II, the castle was actively dealt with by its successors.

When Casimir III the Great took over the castle, it was transformed into a magnificent castle in 1337. It was a magnificent residence, decorated with many costly decorations and furnishings. In 1493 the oath of vassalage to the Polish kingdom was sworn by Johann von Tiefen, Grandmaster of the Teutonic Order.

Already at the beginning of the 16th century, the palace became the official residence of the kings of the Polish state. The reconstruction commenced following the efforts of the foreman, Lukasz Górka. But already in 1536 a fire broke out in the castle. The castle burned down because it was physically impossible to save it.

Andrzej Górka, the mayor, took care of its restoration. He managed to rebuild the castle, but the architecture was almost completely changed. Andrzej decided to move away from the Gothic style, giving preference to Renaissance. Thus a luxurious building of 3 floors appeared, which is decorated with an arched loggia located in the courtyard.

Subsequent fate of the castle

The turn of the 18th century was not easy for the town and the palace in particular. The Northern War brought a lot of trouble. The territories were looted by the Swedish army, and the castle was badly damaged by the war. It could not be rebuilt in the next few years because Russian and Saxon armies came to the area after the Swedes.

After the main political and military events of that century had come to an end, the castle was attempted to be rebuilt by the headman, Kazimierz Raczynski. But later Poznan came under the Prussian Kingdom, which caused its partial destruction. The castle also suffered hard times at that time.

At the end of the century the Prussian authorities decided to build administrative buildings in the castle. At that time fortresses were less popular, and one did not want to leave such a building unattended. The castle existed in its new role until the Second World War.

February 1945 turned out to be fatal for the fortress. The Soviet army deployed its artillery on Przemyslowa Hill. During the Soviet-German fighting all the objects on the ground were partially or completely destroyed. It was only when the Polish People’s Republic was established that the restoration of the once magnificent structure started. Today Poznan is decorated with a new castle. It is similar to the castle that stood there in the 16th century. The project was designed by architect Witold Milewski.