Niedzica Castle

Niedzica Castle, also known as Dunajec Castle, is located in Niedzica, Poland's southernmost region (Nowy Targ County in Lesser Poland). Kokos of Brezovica built it between 1320 and 1326 on the site of an earlier castle protected by clay walls in the Pieniny mountains. The Niedzica Castle is located on a hill 566 meters above sea level, 300 meters upstream from the mouth of the Dunajec River, measured from the center of the dam on Lake Czorsztyn. The remains of Czorsztyn Castle on the other side of the lake provide the greatest perspective of the outline of Niedzica Castle. It is regarded as one of the most attractive castles in the country and has been on the covers of several publications.

Lake Czorsztyn, a new artificial reservoir, was formed in 1994 by damming the Dunajec River downstream of the castle. The castle is currently around 30 meters above the highest sea level. The castle hill is made out of limestone rock mounted on shale and marl discovered considerably below the current Dunajec Riverbed. Despite evident surface erosion, studies and assessments demonstrate that the rock layers composing the limestone bank are weather-resistant and offer a safe foundation for the castle. A variety of strengthening works were carried out in the area between the high- and low-water marks to ensure the hill's stability. Concrete reinforcing of rocks, substratum replacement, and surface protection components on the slope are among the activities.

Location: Niedzica-Zamek, Poland