# Besiekiery Castle

- **Country:** Poland
- **Coordinates:** 52.153100, 18.964900
- **Location Text:** Łódź Voivodeship

Besiekiery Castle is a historic brick fortress located in the village of Besiekiery within the Łódź Voivodeship of Poland. Constructed at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, likely around 1500, the structure was originally commissioned by the Łęczyca voivode, a member of the Sokołowski family, though historical records debate whether it was Lawrence or Mikołaj Sokołowski. Built on a rectangular plan, the castle originally featured a prominent tower, a drawbridge leading to a forward wall section, and a protective moat, remnants of which are still visible today. The architectural design served as a knights' headquarters and included a south peripheral gate tower.

The castle possesses a rich history of ownership and modification spanning several centuries. In 1597, Cardinal Andrzej Batory undertook significant rebuilding efforts. Later, following flood damage inflicted during the Swedish invasion, Łęczycka Starosta Jan Szczawiński renovated the site in 1655, leaving his Prawdzic coat of arms on a cartouche that survives to this day. By the 18th century, the Gajewski family owned the property and reduced the residential building by one floor. The structure suffered a devastating fire in 1731, which effectively ended its primary existence, and by the mid-19th century, it was utilized solely for economic functions before being abandoned completely after 1800.

Currently, Besiekiery Castle stands as an accessible ruin, with large portions of the original structure surviving despite centuries of disrepair. The site is notable for being easily visible from the nearby road, though reaching the ruins requires visitors to cross the old moat and climb a hill. Entrance to the grounds is free of charge, making it a popular local landmark for those interested in Polish military architecture. While the foundation has not survived perfectly, the remaining brickwork offers a tangible connection to its past as a fortified stronghold and noble residence.

![Photo of Besiekiery Castle](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Besiekiery%2C%20Zamek%20rycerski%20-%20fotopolska.eu%20%28262609%29.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besiekiery_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)