Baranow Sandomierski Travel Guide

 gosiaPL Says:  I love castles! This one is often called the Little Wawel (after the Royal Castle in Krakow) or the Pearl of Renaissance for its great architecture, especially the beautiful arcaded courtyard and staircase. You may wonder why it's called a castle if it looks more like a... 

 Pawtuxet Says:  At the lower level of the castle, you can finish your tour with a visit to the little museum. We saw a display of early oil lamps, among other things. The museum isn't completely developed as I would imagine it will take more time to collect earlier period pieces, but it's... 

 Pawtuxet Says:  Obviously since the war destroyed so many things...or objects of art were stolen....there aren't many original features left of the castle. Restoration is perfection, however. Our guide pointed out one fireplace which was retained as an original. Done in decorative carvings,... 

 Pawtuxet Says:  Baranow Castle is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Polish Renaissance. Originally built in the 16th century, the courtyard very closely resembles the Wawel Castle (see my Krakow page). It is a rectangular layout set in the midst of about a 15 acre park-like... 

 Pawtuxet Says:  Walk the gardens by day or night....no worries. The castle grounds are safely guarded and the evenings are star studded, quiet delights. An excellent idea after one of those formal dinners! There are English gardens to the north, Italian to the west (? I think) and... 

 Pawtuxet Says:  You can take a guided tour of the castle for a nominal fee and it is the only way you can see the interiors other than where you have booked your room. Of course we took advantage of the opportunity. I was glad to have Gosia, because the tour was done in Polish. As it... 

 gosiaPL Says:  On my second visit to the castle in July 2006 there was a temporary exhibition of old kerosene lamps. Of course such lamps are no longer used but it was a treat to look at them, some were really beautiful pieces of art! At the far end of the chamber in the picture you can... 

 gosiaPL Says:  The little museum in the castle basement is a must if you want to see the remains of the original castle on which the Renaissance one was built. Among them you'll find a skeleton of a Bronze Age man - I can't remember why it's there but it looks funny... if you can say this... 

 gosiaPL Says:  The chapel at the castle may seem surprisingly small for such a big residence but it served only one family. It is rather empty now with no pews but it is cute. I particularly liked the beamed ceiling and the stained glass window above the door, designed by one of the... 

 gosiaPL Says:  I would not call it a museum but there was a nice exhibition of folk/country style furniture and tableware, and quite a lot of paintings of horses and items related to horse riding. It was only a temporary exhibition though... But it was a nice tour to first see the luxury... 

 gosiaPL Says:  When planning to see the castle in Baranow Sandomierski, make plans to also see Sandomierz. It's a small town that was once a royal city, an open-air museum with many antiquities, charming Market Sq. and so lovely little streets! It is only 30km NE of Baranow, you won't... 

 gosiaPL Says:  I am not aware of any other restaurant in Baranow but the Magnacka at the castle is perfect. Food is delicious, and they certainly deserve some of the awards they take pride in - you can see their display in the bar section. As might have been expected from a castle... 

 gosiaPL Says:  Branów Sandomierski is a small town 7 km SW off the maine Route 9 [E371]. You can get there on the secondary road 985. Really, driving will be the fastest way to get there. Just to give you an idea of where it is located:- about 230 km south of Warsaw, and 135 km NW of... 

 gosiaPL Says:  I didn't know about this custom till I returned to Baranow in July 2006. Just-marrieds come to the castle to have their wedding photos taken in the beautiful scenery! There were at least four couples that Saturday evening, posing in the courtyard and in the upper gallery.... 

 gosiaPL Says:  As the castle was a magnate residence, you may expect to see grand interiors with beautiful what-nots that suit a place like this one. After seeing a few chambers you may be fed up but it's really worth taking the tour inside. The guides are very knowledgeable and, after the...