A haunted castle?
In broad daylight, with the sun beaming down, I was not at all aware that I was approaching a haunted castle. Yet the setting for Niedzica Castle was well nigh perfect.
Perched high on a cliff above the Dunajec River, for centuries this castle was a border post with Hungary. Erected around 1325, the castle changed hands numerous times but the owners remained Hungarian right up to the middle of World War II. In 1412 it was the venue for a loan from Hungary to the Polish king, using 16 Spis (towns in the region of Slovakia) as collateral. The towns had to be returned once the loan was repaid. The last Hungarian countess left with her children in 1943, just two years before the arrival of the Red Army.
The castle on its lofty promontory
The courtyard clock
Curves in the courtyard
Climbing the stairs to the battlements
Looking down on the curvaceous roofs
They are quite fascinating, these roofs, aren’t they, and I have been trying to establish their exact purpose. My husband insists that they are built that way to prevent snow lingering on them, and he may well be correct. His basis for thinking so is a programme we watched about Yellowstone, where roofs had to be cleared by hand to remove the weight of the snow. I haven’t been able to find evidence, so I’ll just say that he’s usually right.
A little history!
Furnishings bring the castle to life
With warm drapes around the bed
The faded lithograph looks creepy indeed!
And so we come to the ghost story. One of the castle’s many owners, Sebastian Berzeviczy, travelled to the New World in the 18th century. Legend has it that he fell in love with an Inca princess. Their daughter, Umina, married one of the Incan rebels who was subsequently executed by the Spanish. Umina fled to Niedzica with her son and father, allegedly taking with them some sacred scrolls and Inca treasure. Umina was later murdered outside the castle, presumably by a treasure hunter. She now roams the castle as the “White Lady” to protect her gold. The castle has 35 suites so, if you fancy a little ghost hunting, it could be a good place to stay.
Time to get out on the battlements for a little fresh air!
The views are breathtaking
Looking down on a forest of chimneys
And out across Lake Czorsztyn
In 1994 the lake was dammed downstream of the castle, creating an artificial reservoir, Lake Czorsztyn. The castle now stands approximately 30 metres above the upper water level. Stalls alongside the dam sell grilled smoked cheese for a snack, or to take away, with local honey and crafts. The smells are so appetising!
Looking out across the dam
Can you see the snowy peaks in the distance?
Beside the lake all is calm, with the ruins of Czorsztyn over the water
You may remember that I was across the lake at Czorsztyn Castle in my Tatry Mountains post.
The fortress was renovated almost every time it changed hands, but the final reconstruction was completed by the Polish Ministry of Culture in 1963. It has served as a historical museum ever since.
So, what did you think of Niedzica? Will you be checking in any time soon? I know that my friend Paula loves the mountain scenery and I would like to share this on her Thursday’s Special. I hope she’ll approve. I’m off there next to see what’s special about Thursday this week. Come with me, won’t you?
restlessjo 
It’s so beautiful there Jo and as always you make it look more beautiful by just seeing it through your eyes. I would love to visit a haunted castle for sure. Great shots and thanks for sharing. 😀
LikeLike
I left long before the lady ghost arrived for the night, Sonel 🙂 Just in case! Thank you!
LikeLike
Scaredy cat! I would have invited her for tea and biscuits. Think of all the stories she could have told us. 😆
LikeLike
They were blood thirsty, those Incas! 🙂
LikeLike
Between the two of us we would have converted them into tea/coffee drinkers. haha
LikeLike
I love the roof swirls and curves!
LikeLike
Nice, aren’t they? 🙂 Allegedly useful too!
LikeLike
Jo these are great photos and you know i have loved those curved roofs from the moment you first gave us a taste in an earlier post. I just read that in China a lot of curved roofs are used to ward off ghosts as ghosts can’t travel in straight lines. The things you read on the internet. Not a lot of curved roofs in Canada and we have lots of snow…..its a puzzle.
LikeLike
That curves and ghosts fact rings a bell from somewhere, Sue, but isn’t it strange that you don’t have curvy roofs for the snow? And Yellowstone, of all places! Why did they have flat roofs? 🙂
LikeLike
I know some places with lots of snow have very steep roofs so it will slide off. This of course does not help the mystery…
LikeLike
Lovely photos Jo and such an interesting post. The European castles are so different to those in our country, I suppose most of ours are much older. I love the ‘eyebrow’ dormer windows, not sure of the reason for them, but I have seen this style in 1950s houses in Surrey and love them!
LikeLike
I really just love architecture in all its forms, Jude, but I always have to drag Michael along to see ABC 🙂 Thanks, I enjoyed writing this post.
LikeLike
We’ll just have to start going on our own holidays 😉
LikeLike
How sad for Umina and her rebel husband. 😦 Such a beautiful castle, Jo, and I love the wavy roof shot. The views are absolutely breathtaking. 🙂
LikeLike
It exceeded expectations, this one, Ad 🙂 Its situation and the views were really lovely, and it being warm and sunny didn’t hurt.
LikeLike
Beautiful post Jo! Especially loved the the curvaceous roofs! I was in a castle in Arcen, NL and they had a person rug on the table too. I really like the look. Might have to try it! Have a great day!
LikeLike
Hi Kathryn ! Thanks 🙂 At home we have a small silk Turkish carpet in a frame on the wall (couldn’t afford a big enough one for the floor!) It wouldn’t even cover a coffee table but it’s a good memory 🙂
LikeLike
It was also a wonderful photo! Here’s mine from 2 weeks ago. It was a grand place! http://wp.me/a2dwKf-1sV
LikeLike
The views are breathtaking, Jo…wow! I love the photo of the furnishings with the clothes in the background. Such a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂
LikeLike
It was warm and sunny, and quite idyllic, Jill 🙂 I could have stayed, but I was a tiny bit worried about the “White Lady”.
LikeLike
I love the curvaceous rooftops and the forest of chimneys, Jo, and I love the ghost story. It goes along perfectly with the dark and dreary day we have on store for today in Virginia. I’d love to stay wrapped in that bed with those warm curtains pulled around. 🙂
LikeLike
Grey here too, but I went out with the Nordics for an hour. Back in time to watch Rafa 🙂 (of course! Foolishly I’ll be in the Algarve when the final is played. Don’t know how I’ll cope, but he has to get there first)
LikeLike
You and your tennis, Jo! I’m sure you’ll manage to find a way to watch it in the Algarve if he makes it! Hugs xxx
LikeLike
I think your husband is quite right. Conical and sweeping roofs allow the snow to melt faster!
LikeLike
Any idea why they don’t seem to have them in Canada, Andrew? I know you’re a fount of knowledge. 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful setting for a castle Jo and such an interesting history. I could very easily spend hours exploring each and every nook and cranny. Can’t wait to visit lots of these during our July trip to Southern Germany and Austria 🙂
LikeLike
That will be fabulous, David! Hot too, I imagine 🙂
LikeLike
Inviting it is, i fancy a trip on the ferry,, I love scary thoughts.. 😉
LikeLike
It was a beautiful boat ride across from Czorsztyn, towards Niedzica 🙂
LikeLike
I think the ghost may be there because of the view and the beauty. That’s the real gold.
LikeLike
I like your thinking, Ann 🙂 You have a very good point!
LikeLike
Beautiful set of photos Jo. It doesn’t look ghostly though, it looks quite inviting. Must be those curvy rooves.
LikeLike
Roofs, you mean, Rough? 🙂 🙂 Shall we get into the great plurals debate? No, I don’t have time. How’s the ankle? No, I didn’t find it very spooky but I wouldn’t want to be there in the dark. Whoooo 🙂
LikeLike
Maybe I won’t go further afield next visit to Warsaw. You’re displaying many Polish treasures, with a lovely interweaving of fact and photo. Why head off to Venice??
LikeLike
Meg, you have to be joking! Venice is … I can’t even put it into words! A dream city, but beware the crowds and the cruise ships. You’ll be fine with early morning wanderings. I’m jealous! 🙂
LikeLike
What an interesting place with such a long history – and beautiful scenery!
LikeLike
If you can’t find anything else in Poland, you’ll find history by the barrel full, Barb 🙂 I really did think this area was beautiful, though.
LikeLike
Another thing thatI love about your posts is that you don’t size your images for the web. It gives me an opportunity to soak into these spectacular landscapes 😀 (see how happy I am 🙂 ) Have a great, great Thursday, Jo. It is finally sunny here and the view from the office is not too bad, but I must go back to boring stuff. See you later.
LikeLike
Size images? You know me, Paula. You get me just as I am! My corner of the north east is damp still but I’m going out with the Nordics because this time next week I’ll be in Tavira. Pinch me somebody, I’m dreaming 🙂
LikeLike
😀 How exciting! Portugal is something I have been dreaming about for a long time….
LikeLike
I am sure your husband is right about roofs and snow. The fourth family crest comes with the name Horvath which is of course the name for Croat :). Small world, isn’t it?
P.S. the views are captivating, and I would feel like a fool not to seize the opportunity while I am at Strbske Pleso. I only have to convince hubby to drive me there 🙂 Dziękuję bardzo, bardzo 🙂
LikeLike
Now I have to worry because your photos will be so much better than mine 😦
But it is a beautiful area, Paula. Small, small world! I’m still amazed!
LikeLike
My photos can be horrible. I will prove you wrong 😀
LikeLike
And my next door neighbours as a child were called Horvath!
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Bizarre! 🙂 Croatia meets Poland, Meg! Does Paula know that you were in Zagreb yesterday?
LikeLike
Loved this post, Jo…it looks another great place to visit. And I could do a ‘ghostly’ image there!
LikeLike
Thanks, Sue 🙂 That’s all that’s missing! 🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I am ecstatic – not only is it a gorgeous post that I feel very flattered to include in my TS, but it is actually giving me the info I need for my summer trip 🙂 Dziękuję bardzo Jo 🙂 I will go to read now and get back to you with questions…
LikeLike
What a surreal experience! 🙂 🙂 Isn’t blogging a strange world? I was going to share the river raft post on here but I wanted to do this one first. Glad you like it, Paula 🙂
LikeLike