Zamek w Kórniku
Neo-Gothic lakeside castle with historic interiors, seat of the Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kórnik, open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The first brick seat in Kórnik was built in the 15th century by the Górka family; the earliest mention of its renovation dates from 1426. Over the following centuries the castle belonged to the Czarnkowski, Grudziński, Działyński and Zamoyski families, and the building was rebuilt many times, but never destroyed. In the 18th century Teofila Szołdrska-Potulicka née Działyńska, known as the “White Lady”, turned the residence into a Baroque palace with a garden, outbuildings and a brick bridge.
The present Neo-Gothic appearance of the castle is owed to Tytus Działyński, who in the 19th century rebuilt it to designs commissioned from outstanding European architects. In 1826 he founded a library in Kórnik, today one of the oldest and richest library collections in Poland. The last owner from the Zamoyski family, Władysław Zamoyski, handed the whole estate over to the Polish nation in 1925, and the Kórnik Foundation (Fundacja Zakłady Kórnickie) established for this purpose managed it until the Second World War.
Since 1953 the Kórnik Library, housed in the castle, has been part of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Visitors can see the representative interiors with furniture, paintings and family memorabilia, as well as collections of a museum character. The castle and the surrounding castle-and-park complex have had the status of a Monument of History since 2011.
Highlights
- Neo-Gothic interiors rebuilt on the initiative of Tytus Działyński
- Memorabilia of the Działyński and Zamoyski families and the legend of the White Lady
- Kórnik Library, founded in 1826
- Castle surrounded by a moat, with a park and arboretum nearby
- “Zamek w Kórniku” quest for visitors with family
Permanent exhibition
- Wnętrza zamkowe – The tour route includes the representative halls and chambers of the castle with the furnishings, paintings and family memorabilia of the Działyński and Zamoyski families.
- Founded
- 1600
- Operated by
- Polska Akademia Nauk – Biblioteka Kórnicka
- Director
- Magdalena Biniaś-Szkopek
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 40 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 20 złpupils, students and doctoral students, teachers, pensioners and people receiving disability pensions, people from the age of 65, people with disabilities together with their carers, veterans, holders of the Large Family Card (Karta Dużej Rodziny) and the Nationwide Senior Card (Ogólnopolska Karta Seniora), residents of the Kórnik commune with the Kórnik Resident Card (Kórnicka Karta Mieszkańca) |
| Children & teens | 20 złfree up to age 6 · Children up to the age of 7 visit free of charge; older children and young people pay the reduced ticket. |
| Seniors | 20 złReduced ticket for pensioners, people receiving disability pensions and people from the age of 65, on presentation of a document. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 20 złReduced ticket for a person with a disability together with a carer. |
| Students & apprentices | 20 złReduced ticket for pupils, students and doctoral students on presentation of a student card. |
| Groups | –Guided group tours: bookings are accepted at least one week in advance, and at the earliest three months ahead. |
| Guide in Polish (group fee) | 150 złBooking by e-mail: rezerwacja@bk.pan.pl, at least one week in advance. |
| Guide in English or German (group fee) | 200 złBooking by e-mail: rezerwacja@bk.pan.pl, at least one week in advance. |
| Audio guide | 15 zł |
Tickets can be bought at the castle’s ticket office or online. Free admission applies, among others, to persons awarded the highest state decorations, staff of museums entered in the State Register of Museums, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, holders of the Karta Polaka (Polish Card), pupils of schools and kindergartens in the Kórnik commune, and residents of the Kórnik commune up to the age of 18 with the Kórnik Resident Card. Reductions and exemptions apply on presentation of a document.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The castle has a lift for people with disabilities; staff must be informed if you need to use it. An accessibility declaration is in preparation.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly: not available
For families a quest “Zamek w Kórniku” has been prepared, a field game through the chambers (leaflet free of charge at the ticket office), as well as family workshops, kamishibai puppet theatre and library and museum lessons. Because of the historic floors, pushchairs may not be taken into the castle, and there is no space to store them.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The easiest way to reach Kórnik is by bus from Poznań (PKS main bus station or the Rondo Rataje stop).
By car
Paid parking
There is paid parking for about 30 cars at the castle. Free parking, including for coaches, is on Prowent, about 400 m from the castle.
The castle advises against travelling by train, because Kórnik railway station lies about 5 km from the town centre and the castle.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
At the castle ticket office you can buy leaflets describing the castle in several languages.
Events & venue rental
The library publishes a price list for the hire of the castle’s interiors; the details are given on the castle’s website.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photographs of the interiors for private use are free of charge; flash and tripods are prohibited, and publication for commercial purposes requires the director’s permission. |
| Good to know | You can visit independently with the app “Zamek w Kórniku” (your own headphones are needed; they can be bought at the ticket office), with an audio guide, or with a guide after prior booking. |
