Here Are 5 Castles in Poland That Will Be Perfect for Your Next Shoot

Image credit: Pixabay

Imagine that there is an amazing script on your desk, right in front of you. You already know that you’re going to film it. For many reasons (financial and visual), Poland become your filming destination. All you need to do is find the perfect castle. 

What do you do? Of course, you google 'top palaces and castles in Poland'. I can already tell you what you will find: 

Is it Książ? It probably is. The next one would be… Wawel or maybe Moszna. Then Czocha Castle and Malbork and the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Beautiful, aren’t they? And if you want to place your astonishing story in one of those venues, no problem, get in a line. 

Those places are occupied by films crews all the time. They are nice but why shoot in the same interiors as others, when you can find a real gem just a few kilometres away. 

What you may not know is that Poland is an unbelievably rich region as far as architecture is concerned, especially castles and palaces. There is even a region in Lower Silesia called The Valley of Palaces and Gardens, where you can find over 30 venues. If you take  a closer look at certain buildings (including castles and palaces,) you can find some elements of typical German, Italian, French or Spanish style. I can assure you that there is an architectural gem  typical of every century somewhere in Poland.

Let me tell you about some of the less well-known venues which you definitely don’t want to miss out on. They deserve to be at the top of your desired filming destinations list. 

1. Marianna Orańska’s Palace

The palace was built for an eccentric Dutch princes – Marianna Orańska in the late XIX century. The architects came from the Netherlands and Germany and it is quite recognizable. After the World War II, the palace was completely devastated and burned down by the Soviet Army. At the moment, it is owned by the local commune authorities . It went through a massive process of renovation. The exteriors look amazing, however the interiors still need some time and funding as the renovation is not over yet. Nowadays, it is one of the most beautiful palaces in Poland. It deserves to be filmed in the spirit of its first owner – eccentric! It’s perfect for a fashion photo session or a commercial.  

Image Credit: Paweł Balcerzak Fotomat.info

2. Bożków Palace 

The oldest parts of the palace were built in the early  XVI century. In 1787, Aleksander von Magnis’s Foundation started its extension. They improved the palace and the area nearby. After the World War II, the palace became  a public treasury. For a long time it was used as an educational establishment. At the moment, it is in the hands of a private owner. Unfortunately its condition is far from ideal but it has a great potential for a new iconic horror like “The Others”.  

Image Credit: Hannibal Smoke

3. Pszczyna Castle

At the beginning, in the XV century, it was a gothic, fortified castle. In the following centuries, it was reconstructed and rebuilt. The changes started in the Renaissance. Then, for a long time, Pszczyna Castle was known as a baroque palace designed and created by one of the top French architects. Pszczyna Castle as we know it today was created for prince Hans Heinrich XI, who died in 1907. During the World War II, it was a place of residence for German military staff. Since February 1945, It had been occupied by the Soviet and the palace was turned into a hospital at that time. It is hard to say if this was a stroke of luck or a coincidence but the place wasn’t particularly destroyed nor robbed by either army. 80% of its original furnishing and equipment was saved. Now,  the palace is a vibrant, breath-taking museum offering lots of cultural events. It’s classic and elegant interiors and astonishing exteriors could host a great period drama like ”Downton Abbey”. 

Image Credit: Pixabay

4. Łańcut Castle

This place is called ‘A jewel of Subcarpathia”. It is home to major works of arts. It is also known for its park and an extraordinary collection of coaches and carriages. The palace was built in the XVII century. After the World War II, it became a museum. Today it is an absolutely amazing palace, maintained in an ideal shape. It deserves a great story and a DOP with sensitivity of a painter. 

Image Credit: Pixabay

5. Gołuchów Castle 

Originally, it was a renaissance fortified castle built in the middle of the XVI century. In the XIX century, a shape of the building was entirely changed and rebuilt. The main design was prepared by a French architect Maurycy August Ouradou. The renaissance elements of the architecture were kept and became a part of a new vision, according to which the Gołuchów Castle was transformed into a romantic estate. It features diverse architectural components , such as marbled fireplaces and window frames imported from Spain, Italy and France. Nowadays, it is a state-owned museum. 

Image Credit: Pixabay 

The good news is that you don’t even need to google it further to find contact details. We already have it. Interested? Save some time, book your flight and come over to get your tour around Poland to see real treasures. 

Szymon Gruszecki is CEO of Graffiti Films