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Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - In the Land of Extinct Volcanoes Near Krakow

Rudno 1
32-065 Rudno

784 412 561 www.facebook.com/ZamekTenczyn/

Outdoors
Sloping terrain
Mainly in the sun
Access by train
Parking

Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - Once One of the Largest Castles in Lesser Poland!

Located 24 kilometers from Krakow near Krzeszowice, Tenczyn Castle in Rudno, also known as the 'Little Wawel,' was once one of the largest castles in Lesser Poland. Today, the ruins have been renovated and are open to visitors. From the castle hill, you can enjoy a beautiful panorama. There are places to rest here. Sometimes, knight tournaments are held at the foot of the ruins or in the courtyard.

There is a paid parking lot right next to the castle (access from the village of Rudno). The walk from the paid parking lot is easy, along a flat road.
Additionally, there is a free forest parking lot at the foot of the castle. From the forest parking lot, you need to climb Castle Hill (blue trail) - the path is steep.

Ruins of Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - sightseeing

Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - One of the Eagle's Nests

The history of the 'Eagle's Nests' dates back to the Middle Ages, specifically the reign of King Casimir the Great, when many fortresses and defensive castles were built from stone in this area to protect the borders of the Polish Kingdom and trade routes. In the 15th century, the border of Poland ran through the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland. The 'Eagle's Nests' trail is one of the most popular tourist routes in Poland! The trail is over 160 km long and connects Krakow with Czestochowa, passing through the most beautiful parts of the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland and 11 castles and their ruins.

Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - exploring the ruins

In the Land of Ancient Volcanoes Near Krakow

Interestingly, the castle hill is an ancient, extinct volcano! This was 300 million years ago. The climate was dry and hot, and rich Carboniferous forests turned into semi-deserts. Volcanoes and cracks in the Earth's crust appeared in the Krakow and Lower Silesia areas, from which hot lava flowed. Tenczyn Castle was built on one of the hills formed by the flowing lava.

Colorful crystals, sometimes agates, formed in the lava bubbles. In the nearby Agate Museum in Rudno, you can see a collection of agates found in the area. The museum also organizes unique workshops on finding agates.

Agate Museum in Rudno and Agate Finding Workshops

Ammonites in the Castle Walls and an Interactive Jura App for Kids

In the castle walls, you can also see ammonite shells - ancient animals that lived in the Jurassic sea. Look carefully, there are quite a few of them!