Szydłów

Szydłów, often called the 'Polish Carcassonne', is a small town in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship with about 1,100 inhabitants. It is famous for its well-preserved medieval defensive walls, built on the order of King Casimir the Great. Originally the walls were 1,080 meters long and up to 1.8 meters thick; 680 meters have survived to this day. Within the fortifications lie the ruins of a castle that served as a royal residence – visited 17 times by King Władysław Jagiełło. Of the three city gates, only the Kraków Gate from the 14th century, adorned with Renaissance attics, remains. Other highlights include a 16th-century synagogue, the oldest in the region, and the Church of All Saints. The Skarbczyk, a former defensive tower, now houses a museum with castle models. Szydłów is perfect for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and families. Admission to the historic area is free.