Years passed
Over time, this “defensive stronghold” was moved from Podgrodzie to Ćmielów. It was already a modernly expanded so-called “magnate’s residence” when these estates were in the hands of the Szydłowiecki family, bearing the Odrowąż coat of arms. As we know, it was one of the most distinguished Lesser Poland families.
Excavated moat
Jakub Szydłowiecki, the then Crown Treasurer and Castellan of Sandomierz, ordered the aforementioned defensive moat to be dug in the Kamienna River valley, and from the earth thus obtained, he ordered a “mound” to be formed, on which a magnificent defensive manor house stood. This residence, as we know, had excellent defensive conditions, as it was surrounded by the aforementioned moat and wetlands, preventing the invasion of enemy troops. The castle existing there had the appearance of a rectangular manor house built on stone foundations, with a wooden skeletal structure, and the aforementioned wooden structural frames were filled with wattle and daub.
Vessel tiles
Due to the surrounding marshy terrain, closely adhering vessel tiles were placed under the floor of the manor. As we know, these are simple products shaped like pots. This was a so-called anti-damp insulation. As archaeological research tells us, a ceramics manufactory was run in the so-called outer bailey, after which the foundations of kilns have been preserved.
Szydłowiecki Manor
This manor of Jakub Szydłowiecki was heated by stoves made of very decorative plate tiles, which depicted heraldic images and genre scenes. It is worth noting that a collection of the oldest discovered coins, so-called denarii from the times of Casimir Jagiellon’s reign, also dates from this period. The death of Jakub Szydłowiecki caused the Ćmielów residence to pass into the hands of his brother Krzysztof, which took place in 1511. Soon, an exceptionally magnificent castle replaced this manor house. At that time, Krzysztof became the Castellan of Sandomierz, and he also held the office of Grand Chancellor, possessing one of the highest dignities of the Polish Kingdom. He was also a friend of King Sigismund the Old Jagiellon and simultaneously enjoyed the trust of the Habsburgs. While his elder brother Mikołaj, the Crown Treasurer, inherited the family estate of Szydłowiec located in the north of the Sandomierz region, Krzysztof took over the key estates of the Odrowąż-Szydłowiecki family, with Ćmielów becoming its residential center.
Extraordinary chapel
On the north side of the castle, there was a monumental Gothic chapel, with a square nave, closed by a chancel and a sacristy. The interiors of this sacred building were “vaulted”, and of course, the walls were covered with numerous colorful paintings. In the sacristy wall, there were stairs leading to the chaplain’s apartment located above the chapel. The windows and doors of this residence, of course, were filled with Gothic stone frames, having a specific profile, while the walls were covered with plaster, and the roof was covered with ceramic tiles. In front of the building was a paved courtyard, which was surrounded by wooden porches.
According to historical sources
As various historical sources tell us, this residence might have been modeled after the imperial Hofburg Castle. In the area located in front of the moat, similarly to what happened in the mentioned German castle as the winter residence of the Habsburgs, on the other side of the bridge, there was an economic courtyard and a so-called “Italian garden”. The so-called “dominant feature of the outer bailey” is the gate tower with a “communication annex”. It contained the so-called gate passage, originally covered by a wooden ceiling. Above it were auxiliary rooms and an exceptionally magnificent great hall located on the second floor. The eastern wing of the outer bailey, as well as the end of its wing, were flanked by various defensive works, for example, “beluards” or fortification turrets. Their lower, vaulted part was “pierced” with openings, and in them were placed so-called key loopholes, for the use of handheld firearms. Under the floor were cellars, obviously intended for gunpowder. The upper floor was occupied by open scenic and observation terraces.
Times of the Ostrogski family
In the Ćmielów castle, already during the times of the next owners, the Ostrogski family, new stoves appeared, this time built of tiles decorated with the Ostrogski coats of arms, of course with “Polish Eagles”. The architectural form of this castle, given to it by Prince Janusz Ostrogski, turned out to be extraordinarily captivating. After the deceased Janusz, Ćmielów Castle became the property of the Zasławski family, a distinguished princely family. The Castellan of Krakow, a certain Władysław Dominik, earned the infamous nickname “Pierzyna” (Duvet) due to his laziness. During the Polish-Swedish war, the castle was captured by Cossack troops allied with the Swedes. The nobility hiding in the castle was brutally murdered by the enemies of the Polish Crown.
At the same time, hostile armies to Poland also met near Ćmielów, namely the Swedish army of Charles Gustav and the Transylvanian army of George Rákóczi. The moment of this meeting was immortalized in an engraving based on a drawing by a participant in these events, the Swede Erik Jönsson Dahlbergh. The remains of soldiers murdered during the Northern War, recovered from the moat, were honorably laid to rest on the island adjacent to the castle.
