Reszel Castle
Zamek w Reszlu
Poland · Warmia — Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship · Near Olsztyn
A Brick Gothic castle built from the mid-14th century, in the years 1350–1401, under the Warmian bishop; besieged and changed hands repeatedly in the wars of the 15th and 16th centuries, it became an episcopal residence under Cardinal Andrzej Batory in the 1590s, was devastated by fire in 1806–1807, rebuilt in 1822, and used as a prison in the 19th century — today it houses a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Masuria alongside a hotel and restaurant
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Stay Here
Zamek Reszel
Rooms are within the historic castle building itself
Booked via Booking.com · Free cancellation on most rates
Highlights
- ✦A Brick Gothic castle built in the years 1350–1401, under the Warmian bishop (sources differ on whether the Teutonic Order or the Warmian bishops should be credited as the builders)
- ✦Besieged and changed hands repeatedly in the wars of the 15th and 16th centuries
- ✦Became an episcopal residence under Cardinal Andrzej Batory in the 1590s
- ✦Devastated by fire in 1806–1807, rebuilt in 1822, and used as a prison in the 19th century
- ✦Today houses a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Masuria, alongside a hotel and restaurant
Stay in the castle itself
Book a room via Booking.com
Reszel Castle stands on a bend of the Sajna river, in the Warmian town of the same name, a Brick Gothic fortress built in the years 1350 to 1401 under the Warmian bishop. Sources differ on exactly how to credit its construction — some point to the Teutonic Order, others to the Warmian bishops themselves — so the attribution here is kept to the Warmian bishop rather than a single disputed claim.
The castle's position on the border of contested territory meant it was besieged and changed hands more than once during the wars of the 15th and 16th centuries between the Teutonic Order, the Polish Crown and Warmia's own ecclesiastical rulers. By the 1590s, it had become an episcopal residence, serving Cardinal Andrzej Batory, a nephew of the Polish king Stephen Báthory, during his time as a Warmian bishop.
Fire devastated the castle in 1806–1807, and it was rebuilt in 1822; through the 19th century, parts of the building also served as a prison. Today, Reszel Castle combines several functions under one historic roof: a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Masuria, a hotel, and a restaurant, with rooms set into the castle's historic fabric — stairs, thick walls and uneven floors included.
History
Reszel is a Brick Gothic castle built from the mid-14th century, in the years 1350–1401, under the Warmian bishop. It was besieged and changed hands in the wars of the 15th–16th centuries, became an episcopal residence under Cardinal Andrzej Batory in the 1590s, was devastated by fire in 1806–1807, rebuilt in 1822, and used as a prison in the 19th century. Today it houses a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Masuria, a hotel and a restaurant.
How to Stay
Getting there: In the town of Reszel in Warmia, on a bend of the Sajna river; the castle is a short walk from the town centre.
Rooms & rates: From approx. €89/night for an 18 m² Standard Double or Economy Twin with a private bathroom and an inner-courtyard view, breakfast included; a flexible rate with free cancellation starts around €96.
On-site: The castle also houses a museum branch and a restaurant, so the building is open to visitors by day (check opening hours).
Good to know: The castle is both museum and hotel; rooms are in the historic fabric, which means stairs, thick walls and uneven floors.
Combine with: Olsztyn Castle (Warmian Bishops), about 50 km away, the other Warmian bishops' castle on the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
It was built in the years 1350–1401 under the Warmian bishop. Sources differ on whether the Teutonic Order or the Warmian bishops themselves should be credited as the builders, so this page attributes it to the Warmian bishop rather than a single disputed claim.
Location
Reszel, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland
Nearby Castles
Rooms from
€89/ night