It is one of the oldest preserved royal residencies in Poland, initially established by High Duke Casimir II the Just.

[3] Because of their unique style, mixing Western and Eastern Orthodox influences, they are acclaimed internationally as an important historical monument.

The sons of King Casimir IV Jagiellon were brought up in the castle under the tutelage of Jan Długosz.

The most momentous event in the castle's history was the signing in 1569 of the Union of Lublin, the founding act of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

[2] The new buildings were in the English neo-Gothic style, completely different from the structures they replaced, and their new purpose was to house a criminal prison.

Under Tsarist Russia prisoners included Polish resistance members, one of the most notable being writer Bolesław Prus.