The journey through the castles of the Subcarpathian region is worth starting with a true pearl - the Museum-Castle in Łańcut. This magnate's residence, erected in 1629-1642 by Stanislaw Lubomirski, initially served as a fortress, to be transformed over time into a cultural center by Izabela Lubomirska. Lancut castle impresses not only with its rich interiors, but also with a unique collection of carriages and a picturesque English-style park. The castle is associated with the fascinating legend of the Lancut Devil, who was supposed to help build the fortifications, but was later outwitted by a clever builder. Today, the castle in Lancut is one of the best preserved magnate palace and park complexes in Poland, where you can admire the beautiful interiors with original furnishings, art collections and exotic orangeries.

Slightly different in character is the Castle in Krasiczyn - a Renaissance gem of defensive architecture, erected by the Krasicki family at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Four characteristic towers: Divine, Papal, Royal and Noble symbolize the social hierarchy of the former Republic. The castle is famous for its unique sgraffiti decorating the facades and its picturesque arcaded courtyard. Surrounded by a vast landscape park with rare tree species, it creates an extraordinary scenery that delights at any time of the year. Krasiczyn is not only a monument, but also a place where you can feel the spirit of the old times, walking through the chambers that hosted kings and dignitaries.

The third jewel on the map of Subcarpathian castles is Baranów Sandomierski, known as 'little Wawel'. This Mannerist residence, erected by Andrzej Leszczynski in 1591-1606, impresses with its harmonious body, richly decorated attics and Renaissance cloisters. The castle is surrounded by a picturesque park with a system of ponds and canals. The interiors hide valuable museum exhibitions, including a collection of porcelain and furniture from various eras. Baranów Sandomierski is an example of the ideal combination of defensive and representative functions, which was characteristic of the magnate residences of the period of the 'golden age' of the Republic.

The Kazimierzowski Castle in Przemyśl, built on a hill dominating the city, has a completely different character. This medieval stronghold, expanded in the 16th century in Renaissance style, played a key role in the defense system of Poland's southeastern borders. The castle's hilltop offers a beautiful panorama of Przemyśl and the San valley. Today the castle is the seat of cultural institutions and the venue for numerous artistic events. It is worth noting the preserved fragments of the defensive walls and the Renaissance entrance gate, which remind us of the military past of the object.

The Royal Castle in Sanok is one of the oldest defensive buildings in Podkarpacie, dating back to the 14th century and the reign of Casimir the Great. Situated picturesquely on a hill above the San River, it served as an important administrative and defense center on the Polish-Ruthenian border. It now houses the Historical Museum with a valuable collection of Carpathian icons and works by Zdzislaw Beksinski, a prominent San-born artist. The castle has undergone numerous reconstructions, which have given it a Renaissance character, but it has retained its medieval spatial layout. The observation deck offers a breathtaking panorama of the San valley and the Bieszczady Mountains.

Not far from Sanok, in the village of Dubiecko, is Dubiecko Castle - the former seat of the Stadnicki and Krasicki families. This Baroque palace, rebuilt in the 18th century, impresses with its elegant exterior and carefully restored interiors. The castle is associated with the figure of Stanislaw Stadnicki, known as the 'Devil of Lancut'. - a famous adventurer and rebel from the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Dubiecko was also the birthplace of Ignacy Krasicki, an outstanding poet of the Enlightenment, known as 'the prince of Polish poets'. Today, the castle functions as an exclusive hotel, offering guests the opportunity to stay overnight in historic interiors.

Wandering on the trail of Subcarpathian castles, it is impossible to miss the castle in Przecław - a Renaissance residence built in the 16th century by the Ligęza family. The castle underwent numerous reconstructions, which gave it the character of a Baroque residence. Surrounded by a picturesque park with monumental trees, it forms a charming palace and park complex. The castle is associated with the legend of the White Lady - the ghost of a girl unhappily in love, who is said to haunt the castle chambers to this day. Przecław castle is a place where history intertwines with romantic tales, creating a unique atmosphere.

Another point on the map of Subcarpathian castles is the Tarnowski Castle in Dzików - the former seat of one of the most powerful magnate families of the Republic of Poland. This neo-Gothic residence, rebuilt in the 19th century, was famous for its rich art and library collections, including the famous 'Dzikowska Collection' with a priceless manuscript of 'Pan Tadeusz'. The castle is surrounded by an extensive landscape park with exotic tree species. Today it houses the Historical Museum of the City of Tarnobrzeg, where you can admire preserved fragments of furnishings and learn about the fascinating history of the Tarnowski family.

On the border of the Podkarpackie and Świętokrzyskie provinces are the impressive Krzyżtopór Castle Ruins in Ujazd - a monumental residence erected in the first half of the 17th century by Sandomierz voivode Krzysztof Ossoliński. This Baroque building, designed with extraordinary grandeur, had 365 windows (like days in a year), 52 halls (like weeks), 12 great halls (like months) and 4 towers (like seasons). Krzyztopór is an example of the so-called palazzo in fortezza - a palace in a fortress, combining defensive and representative functions. Although today we can only admire the ruins of this once magnificent residence, they are still very impressive in scale and architectural grandeur.

To complete the journey through the castles of the Subcarpathian region are the picturesque ruins of Sobień Castle, located on a steep hill on the San River, near Lesko. Erected in the 14th century by the Kmita family, this medieval stronghold served a strategic function in the defense system of Poland's southeastern frontier. Today, the preserved fragments of walls and towers create a romantic setting, and the castle hill offers a breathtaking view of the San gorge and the Bieszczady ranges. The castle is associated with a legend of a treasure hidden in the vaults by robbers, which is guarded by the spirit of a murdered knight. The ruins of Sobień are a place where history intertwines with nature, creating a magical atmosphere, especially at sunset, when the red rays illuminate the remains of the walls.

The castles of Podkarpacie impress with their architectural diversity - from medieval fortresses to Renaissance mansions to Baroque palaces. Each of them represents a different stage in the development of fortification and residential art, reflecting the changing needs and tastes of the owners. These castles were not only seats of mighty families, but also centers of cultural and political life of the region. They hosted kings, state and church dignitaries, and were the site of important historical and cultural events.

It is worth noting the differences between the various sites. While Łańcut and Krasiczyn have been preserved in excellent condition and offer visitors richly furnished interiors, Sobień or Krzyżtopór are picturesque ruins, stimulating the imagination and allowing one to feel the spirit of the old days. The castles in Przemyśl and Sanok, although rebuilt many times, have retained their medieval spatial layout and today perform cultural functions as seats of museums. Dubiecko and Krasiczyn, on the other hand, offer the possibility of staying overnight in historic interiors, which is an additional attraction for history lovers.

Subcarpathian castles also differ in location and surroundings. Some, like the Kazimierzowski Castle in Przemyśl and the Royal Castle in Sanok, rise on hills, dominating the surroundings and offering magnificent views. Others, like Łańcut or Baranów Sandomierski, are surrounded by extensive park layouts with valuable specimen trees and picturesque ponds. Each of the castles has its own unique character and atmosphere, making a trip along the trail of Podkarpacie's fortresses a fascinating adventure, allowing you to get to know different facets of Polish history and culture.

Podkarpackie castles are not only architectural monuments, but also treasure troves of legends and stories, passed down from generation to generation. Tales of hidden treasures, ghosts of former owners, secret passages and dungeons fire the imagination of visitors. The legend of the Łańcut Devil, the story of the White Lady of Przecław or the tale of the treasure of the robbers of Sobień are just some of the fascinating stories associated with the Podkarpackie strongholds. These legends, although often fantastic, contain a grain of historical truth and are an important part of the intangible cultural heritage of the region.

A trip on the trail of castles of the Podkarpacie region is a fascinating history lesson, allowing you to learn about the history of Poland from the Middle Ages to modern times. It is also an opportunity to admire a variety of architectural styles, from Gothic, through Renaissance and Baroque, to Classicism and Neo-Gothic. Each castle tells its own unique story, part of a larger tale of the history of the Republic, its ups and downs, glories and tragedies. Visiting these historical sites is a journey back in time, allowing us to better understand our identity and cultural heritage.