| Sandomierz Royal Castle Zamek Królewski w Sandomierzu(in Polish) | |
|---|---|
 The west wing of the castle | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Polish Gothic |
| Town or city | Sandomierz |
| Country | Poland |
| Construction started | 14th century |
| Demolished | 1656 |
| Client | Casimir III the Great |
TheSandomierz Royal Castle (Polish:Zamek Królewski w Sandomierzu) is a medieval structure inSandomierz,Poland. It was built on a slope ofVistula River byCasimir III the Great and extended in the 16th century.[1] The original building was blown up in 1656, leaving only the west wing standing.[2] It was later transformed into aRenaissance styled residence with the west wing preserved as a museum.[2]
The 14th-century castle was built on the site of the existing stronghold in the 10th century.[3] Between 1146 and 1166 it was the seat of PrinceHenry of Sandomierz, son ofBolesław III Wrymouth.[3] The Gothic castle was built by Casimir the Great. The remnants of the Gothic structure are visible in the foundations of the octagonal tower of the south corner, which is the oldest part of the monument. The existing tower was built during the reign ofCasimir IV Jagiellon in the 15th century as an integral part of the so-calledGreat House, the seat of the prince.
During the reign ofSigismund I the Old andSigismund II Augustus, the castle was enlarged.[4] The Sigismund the Old's cornerstone preserved above the entrance on the east side of the array. It bears the date 1520 and a cartouche with Sigismund's eagle. The construction was supervised by the royal architect Benedyct Sandomierski, who erected two-storey arcaded cloisters around a closed courtyard.[4]
During theDeluge the castle was blown up by the retreating Swedish troops of general Sincler.[2] About fifty Poles, who entered the abandoned castle, were killed. The survived western wing of the castle was later rebuilt during the reign of kingJohn III Sobieski between 1680 and 1688.[4]
50°40′34″N21°44′50″E / 50.67611°N 21.74722°E /50.67611; 21.74722
