The journey through Polish castles should begin with the most impressive medieval fortress in Europe - Malbork Castle. This monumental building, erected by the Teutonic Order in the 13th century, impresses with its immensity and excellent state of preservation. The castle consists of three clearly distinguishable parts: High Castle, Middle Castle and Low Castle, connected by a system of fortified walls, moats and drawbridges. Walking through the cloisters and courtyards, one can feel the spirit of the Middle Ages, and the interactive exhibitions and demonstrations of knightly battles are particularly attractive to the youngest. A fascinating part of the tour is the opportunity to see the world's largest floor-heated medieval castle - the hypocaust system was a technological marvel of its time. Children will certainly be interested in the legend of the Teutonic Commandery ghost, which is said to guard the castle's treasures to this day.

The next point on the map of castle discoveries should be the majestic Książ Castle, the third largest castle in Poland. This pearl of Lower Silesia, built on a rocky promontory, combines elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, creating an architectural mosaic that delights every tourist. The history of the castle dates back to the 13th century, when it was built by the Silesian Piasts, but its current appearance is due to numerous reconstructions over the centuries. Particularly interesting is the mysterious history from World War II, when the Nazis conducted a secret project here, codenamed 'Riese'. The castle's underground hides many mysteries that still fire the imagination of researchers and tourists. Special tours have been prepared for families with children, with guides dressed in historical costumes who talk about the turbulent history of the castle in an accessible way. Also worth a visit are the terraces and gardens surrounding the castle, which offer spectacular views of the surrounding forests and mountains.

Czocha Castle is another gem of Lower Silesia, which impresses with its picturesque location on the Leśniański Lake. This medieval defensive castle, built in the 13th century, was carefully restored in the 20th century, so that today we can admire its authentic interiors. The castle is famous for its many secrets and mysteries - hidden passageways, moving walls and a well of unfaithful wives are just some of the attractions that fire the imagination of visitors. Czocha has gained immense popularity as a filming location for many movies and TV series, including the iconic 'The Secret of the Cipher Fortress'. Special torchlight night tours and knight workshops are organized for families with children, where the youngest can feel like real inhabitants of a medieval castle. The legend of the White Lady, the ghost of the castle's former resident, who appears on moonless nights, adds to the place's mysterious atmosphere and is a favorite subject of the guides' stories.

Not far from Jelenia Gora, on top of the mountain of the same name, rise the picturesque ruins of Chojnik Castle. This medieval fortress, built in the 14th century, served as a watchtower on the trade route to Bohemia. Although the castle is now in ruins (it was destroyed by a lightning strike in 1675), it is still very impressive with its austere stone block towering over the surrounding area. The castle walls offer a spectacular view of the Karkonosze Mountains and the Jeleniogórska Valley, making the place a paradise for photography enthusiasts. The castle is associated with the legend of the cruel Kunegunda, who placed impossible conditions on her suitors, causing many knights to lose their lives. For families with children, archery tournaments and demonstrations of ancient crafts are organized here, and the path leading to the top of the mountain is a great opportunity to spend time actively in nature.

The Eagle's Nest Trail is one of the most beautiful tourist routes in Poland, and its pearl is undoubtedly Ogrodzieniec Castle. These monumental ruins, rising on the highest hill of Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska, make an incredible impression on anyone who sees them. The castle was built in the 14th century and later expanded in the 15th century, creating an impressive fortress to protect the borders of the Polish Kingdom. Today, walking among the picturesque ruins on the limestone rock, one can admire the remains of chambers, courtyards and towers, which create a unique atmosphere. A special attraction for children is the opportunity to explore the numerous nooks and crannies and secret passages. In the summer season, the castle hosts spectacular knightly tournaments, demonstrations of ancient crafts and night tours with torches, during which you can hear the legend of the Black Dog of Ogrodzieniec - the ghost of castellan Stanislaw Warszycki, who was famous for his cruelty during his lifetime. The castle has also been a film set for many productions, including the cult series 'Janosik'.

Not far from Ogrodzieniec is the Royal Castle of Bobolice, which, unlike its neighbor, has been painstakingly restored in recent years. This 14th-century fortress, built by King Casimir the Great, was an important point in the defense system of the western borders of the Polish Kingdom. The castle has a fascinating history - it witnessed numerous wars, invasions and changes of owners, until it finally fell into ruin. Thanks to a private investor who began reconstruction in 1999, today we can admire the castle in its full glory. For families with children there is a special tour with a guide dressed as a knight, who tells the history and legends associated with the castle in an accessible way. The most famous is the tale of two brothers, owners of Bobolice and Mirów castles, and of a treasure and a beautiful girl who was walled up alive in the castle's dungeons. Her ghost is said to wander the castle chambers to this day.

The Royal Castle in Chęciny is another gem on the Eagle's Nest Trail. This 13th-century stronghold, built on a limestone hill, has witnessed many important events in Polish history. It hosted kings within its walls, held conventions of knighthoods and assemblies. Today, after partial reconstruction, the castle offers tourists the opportunity to travel back in time to the Middle Ages. The castle towers offer a beautiful view of the Swietokrzyskie Mountains. There are numerous attractions for families with children - you can try on knight's armor, take part in workshops of ancient crafts or learn to shoot a bow. Of particular interest is the legend of the Templar treasure, which is said to have been hidden in the castle's vaults. According to the tale, on moonless nights you can hear the jaws of swords and the moans of the ghosts of the knights guarding the treasure.

At the southern end of the Krakow-Czestochowa Jura Chain rises the elegant Pieskowa Skała Castle, a branch of the Wawel Royal Castle. This Renaissance gem, surrounded by the picturesque landscape of the Ojcowski National Park, is an excellent example of the transition from a medieval fortress to a modern residence. The castle was built in the 14th century by Casimir the Great, but owes its current shape to a 16th century reconstruction. Walking through the arcaded courtyard and chambers filled with valuable artifacts, one can feel the atmosphere of bygone eras. A special attraction for children is a tour of the castle's dungeons and the legend of Dorothea, the daughter of one of the castle's owners, who fell in love with a poor knight. Her father objected to the union, and the distraught girl threw herself from the castle tower. It is said that her ghost still appears in the castle today in the form of a white mist. Near the castle is a famous limestone rock called 'Mace of Hercules', which is one of the symbols of the Krakow-Czestochowa Jurassic Upland.

Among the lesser-known but equally fascinating castles of Poland, the Krzyżtopór Castle Ruins in Ujazd deserve special attention. This monumental building, erected in the 17th century by Sandomierz voivode Krzysztof Ossolinski, was at one time the largest palace residence in Europe. The castle was designed with unusual symbolism - it had as many windows as days in a year (365), as many chambers as weeks (52), as many halls as months (12) and as many towers as quarters (4). In addition, the fifth tower symbolized an extra day in a leap year. This unique architecture and fascinating history attract tourists hungry for less obvious attractions. Although the castle was destroyed during the Swedish Deluge and never regained its former glory, its ruins are still impressive for their size and grandeur. Special field games are organized here for families with children to discover the castle's secrets. Legend has it that the Ossolinskis' treasure is hidden in the castle's vaults, and on moonless nights you can hear the thud of hooves and the neighing of horses - this is said to be the spirit of the governor returning to guard his estate.

Grodziec Castle, located on an extinct volcano in the Sudety Mountains, is a real gem for lovers of medieval architecture. This 13th-century stronghold, which has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, impresses with its austere stone structure towering over the surrounding area. The castle was built by Prince Boleslaw the Tall and later expanded by subsequent owners. It was rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 16th century, but fell into disrepair after the devastation of the Thirty Years' War. Thanks to reconstruction work carried out since the 19th century, today we can admire the reconstructed parts of the castle, including the tower, chapel and part of the defensive walls. A special attraction for families with children are the knightly tournaments organized here, demonstrations of ancient crafts and archaeological workshops. The castle walls offer a spectacular view of the Kaczawskie Foothills and the Karkonosze Mountains. The castle is associated with the legend of the White Lady - the ghost of a princess who was walled up alive in the castle dungeons for having an affair with a squire. Her apparition is said to appear in the ruins during a full moon.

When comparing all the castles described, it is worth noting their diversity in terms of state of preservation, available attractions and location. Malbork Castle and Książ Castle are both in excellent condition, offering numerous exhibitions and a rich educational program, but the tour can be tiring for the youngest due to the vast area. In contrast, smaller sites, such as Czocha Castle and Pieskowa Skała, are more intimate and easier to visit with children. The ruins of Ogrodzieniec, Chojnik and Krzyżtopór castles offer more freedom and opportunities for exploration, which is particularly attractive for active families. In terms of location, the castles of the Eagles' Nests Trail (Ogrodzieniec, Bobolice, Chęciny) are relatively close to each other, making it possible to visit several sites in one day. Lower Silesian castles (Książ, Czocha, Chojnik, Grodziec) also form a coherent tourist route.

In terms of price, the cheapest to visit are sites in ruins, such as Chojnik and Grodziec, where ticket prices are affordable. The average price level is represented by castles partially restored, such as Ogrodzieniec and Chęciny. The most expensive are fully restored and exhibition-rich sites like Malbork or Książ, but they also offer the most attractions. It's worth noting family tickets are available at most sites and allow significant savings. Some castles also offer free tours on selected days of the month.

Regardless of the route chosen, visiting Polish castles is a fascinating journey through history that combines education with adventure. Each of the described sites has its own unique atmosphere, architecture and legends, which make the visit an unforgettable experience for the whole family. It is advisable to plan your trip so as to combine visiting castles with discovering the surrounding natural and cultural attractions, creating a comprehensive program that will satisfy both history and active leisure enthusiasts.