zamek rycerski w Bydlinie

#medieval #historia #zamki #zlotuptaka #dronevideo #małopolska #podróże #travel 📜 object history: Bydlin Castle was built in the second half of the 14th century at the initiative of a knight Niemierza of the Strzała (Arrow) coat of arms or his father, Pełka. The stronghold's construction is linked to a period of intensive development of the Cracow region's defense system during the reign of king Casimir III the Great, when numerous castles and fortifications were built on the border with the Silesian duchies to protect important trade routes and the borders of the Kingdom of Poland. Although Bydlin Castle was a private investment and not part of the royal Eagle's Nest system, its location on a lofty hill near the route from Cracow to Silesia gave it significant strategic importance. It was first mentioned in written sources in 1389, where it was also referred to as the 'Załęże' fortalice. According to some historians, it remained in the hands of Niemierza for a time, identified with an illegitimate son of king Casimir the Great, although the question of its origins remains controversial among scholars. Originally, the castle was a small but well-fortified Gothic knight's residence. The main element of the complex was a two-story residential and defensive building constructed of local limestone on a rectangular plan. It was surrounded by a stone perimeter wall enclosing a small courtyard, while on the eastern side stood a gate tower, constituting the only entrance to the stronghold. Thanks to its location on a steep hill, the natural terrain further enhanced the castle's defensive capabilities, making it difficult to conquer. By the early 16th century, the castle had lost its military significance. When the threat of invasions on the borderland had significantly diminished, the then owners decided to transform it into... a church. This was one of the most unusual conversions of a medieval stronghold in Poland. Around the mid-16th century, the residential building was converted into a church, and in 1594, the church was dedicated to the Holy Cross. During the reconstruction, the defensive walls and gate tower were likely demolished, and the interiors were adapted for liturgical purposes. During the Swedish Deluge in 1655, the buildings were burned down on the orders of general Burchard Müller, whose troops were marching towards Częstochowa. The damage was significant, but in the first half of the 18th century, the church was rebuilt and reopened. However, it never regained its former significance, and over time, its technical condition steadily deteriorated. In the 19th century, the abandoned building fell into ruin and gradually deteriorated, becoming a picturesque architectural relic. It wasn't until the 20th century that the first conservation works were undertaken, thanks to which the preserved fragments of the walls have survived to this day. 🎵 Hitman by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...