Tropsztyn Castle

Tropsztyn Castle stands on a steep peninsula that is surrounded on three sides by the Dunajec River, in Czchów municipality. The present building is a reconstruction of a medieval stronghold, and its history is linked with the village of Tropie, lying on the other side of the river.

From the stronghold of the Ośmioróg family to ruin

The stronghold was probably built in the first half of the 13th century on the initiative of the Ośmioróg family. The first source mention dates from 1231, and the first masonry buildings are dated to the 14th century. In 1390 the castle passed to the Chebda family, in 1535 it was taken over by Piotr Kmita of Wiśnicz, later it belonged to the Robakowski-Gabański and Zborowski families, and from 1624 to the Błoński family of the Biberstein coat of arms. As early as 1608 it was described as a ruin.

Reconstruction after 1993

The first excavations on the hill were carried out in 1863 by the historian Szczęsny Morawski. Reconstruction began after 1993: in 1997-1998 the outer walls were built and the eastern gate was recreated, and in 1998-1999 the secondary entrance gate from the 16th century was reconstructed. The heritage register lists the castle as a brick structure with the entry A-128 from 1977.

The area

The castle can be seen above Lake Czchów, and in the neighbourhood lie several other strongholds on the Dunajec: the ruins of the castle in Czchów are less than 5 km from it, and it is similarly close to Rożnów Castle.

Practical information

• Village: Wytrzyszczka, Czchów municipality, Brzesko County.
• Location: a peninsula on the Dunajec, on the opposite side of the river from the village of Tropie.
• Visiting: the rules and times for entering the castle grounds change; check them with the site manager before your visit.