The Gołuchów Castle has frequently appeared on screen. Its interiors were used, for example, in the TV series "Queen Bona." The courtyard and park were also locations for scenes in the 1983 film "Mr. Kleks' Academy." This time, however, the castle takes on the "leading role." In the latest adaptation of Jan Brzechwa's story, the Gołuchów Castle portrays the titular academy. It's no surprise, as the place looks like something out of a fairy tale. The "Polish Hogwarts" is open to tourists almost all year round.
The Gołuchów Castle Was Built in the 16th Century and Has a Rich History
The Gołuchów Castle, located in Greater Poland, 16 km from Kalisz, was built between 1550 and 1560 for the starost of Radziejów, Rafał Leszczyński. Over the centuries, it changed owners multiple times, with each one renovating it. However, it gradually fell into greater disrepair. The building was originally intended to serve defensive purposes. Its current appearance is due to a thorough reconstruction carried out in the second half of the 19th century by Izabella Działyńska, née Czartoryska. In December 2016, the Polish State Treasury bought the castle from the Czartoryski Princes Foundation for 20 million złoty.
The renovation included features such as marble fireplaces imported from Italy, France, and Spain. However, the castle did not lose its original Renaissance character, although its interiors and art collection were devastated during World War II. Today, visitors can see, among other things, collections that once belonged to Izabella Czartoryska. Since 1951, the castle has housed a branch of the National Museum in Poznań. Exhibits include historic interiors, paintings, and ancient vases, among other treasures.
The Gołuchów Castle: Where "Mr. Kleks' Academy" Was Filmed in 2023 and... 1983
Surrounding the castle is one of the oldest and largest arboretums in Poland. The park, covering 158 hectares, contains many rare tree specimens. One of the most magnificent and famous is the "Jan" pedunculate oak. In the latest "Mr. Kleks' Academy," directed by Maciej Kawulski, viewers can admire not only the Gołuchów Castle but also the park, including the hornbeam-linden avenue, which was featured in the trailer. Filming took place in the summer, and some shots for the 1983 adaptation of "Mr. Kleks' Academy" were also filmed in the arboretum.
