History
The small castle in Suliszowice was probably built in the 14th century. It may have been funded by King Kazimierz the Great or one of his officials, who was carrying out a royal order to strengthen the border area. Alternatively, construction took place somewhat later, during the reign of Władysław Opolczyk. In the latter case, the modest castle may have defended the prince’s feudal estates in the Kraków region. The Suliszowice castle was first mentioned in records only in 1581, likely long after it had been abandoned or destroyed.
Architecture
The castle consisted of an upper part situated on a rock 15-20 meters high and a lower part on the eastern side at the base of the rock, surrounded by a earth rampart and a ditch. There, the ramparts formed two round sections closing the space between another rock located in the east. The upper castle was built of unworked limestone, and its walls were up to 1.8 meters thick. It was built on the plan of an irregular polygon, adapted in shape to the form of the hill. The access road probably led from the north or south, but perhaps because of the inaccessibility of the rock, the crew entered the upper part of the castle by means of a lowering ladder or some kind of wooden stairs.
Current state
To this day, a 19.5-meter-long section of the wall, up to 1.8 meters thick, and remnants of the ramparts at the foot of the rock have survived. Access to the outcrop is very difficult due to its steep slopes. Furthermore, it is located within a fenced private plot, covered with dense forest and low vegetation. On the northeastern side of the castle, you can visit the Suliszowice Cave.
bibliography:
Antoniewicz M., Zamki na Wyżynie Krakowsko – Częstochowskiej, Kielce 1998.
Guerquin B., Zamki w Polsce, Warszawa 1984.
Leksykon zamków w Polsce, red. L.Kajzer, Warszawa 2003.
Sypek R., Zamki i obiekty warowne Jury Krakowsko-Częstochowskiej, Warszawa 2003.