Rytro Castle

Rytro Castle is the ruin of a medieval stronghold on a hill above the village of Rytro and the Poprad River, in Nowy Sącz County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It stands at about 463 metres above sea level in the heart of the Beskid Sądecki mountains, inside Poprad Landscape Park. The summit offers views in every direction, which makes it one of the best viewpoints in the Poprad valley.

What is the history of Rytro Castle?

The castle was built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. The first mention comes from a privilege issued by King Władysław the Elbow-high on 17 April 1312. It allowed the Poor Clare nuns of Stary Sącz to collect customs duties at the Rytro castle. The castle appears again in a document from 1331. These records show that the fortress watched over traffic along the Poprad route leading towards Hungary.

In the 15th century the castle served as the seat of the starosts of Sącz and was rebuilt. In the following decades it passed through the hands of several tenants, among them Jakusz of Boturzyn and members of the Toporczyk family. In the 16th century Piotr Kmita, one of the powerful magnates of the age, became its administrator.

Soon afterwards the castle fell into ruin. The chronicler Marcin Bielski described its condition, and inspections carried out in 1616–1617 confirm the poor state of the buildings. The castle never regained its former role, and today only fragments of the walls remain.

What can you see at the castle?

This is a ruin rather than a restored interior with an exhibition, so a visit means a walk around the hilltop. Look at the surviving wall remains and imagine how the stronghold controlled the surrounding land. The real reward is the panorama of the Poprad valley and the surrounding ranges of the Beskid Sądecki. A clear day is best, when the view stretches far.

How do you get to Rytro Castle?

You can drive up to the foot of the hill on an asphalt road. The final steep, stony stretch, a few dozen metres long, has to be covered on foot. Sturdy shoes are a good idea, especially after rain when the stones can be slippery. The climb is short, so it also suits families with children who enjoy scrambling up to ruins.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rytro Castle preserved in full? No. It is a ruin with mainly wall fragments left, but the hilltop setting is impressive.

When was Rytro Castle built? At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. The earliest known mention dates from 1312.

Who lived in the castle? In the 15th century the starosts of Sącz resided here. Later it was run by tenants, and in the 16th century by Piotr Kmita.

Can you drive up to the castle? Almost. An asphalt road leads to the foot of the hill, and the last steep section is on foot.

What else is worth combining with a visit? A walk around Rytro, the Poprad valley and other castles of the region, including those in Stary Sącz and Nowy Sącz.