Son of Jakub, Stanisław Krasicki, Przemyśl castellan, started the development of a fortified seat at the end of the 16th century. The fortified palace complex built on a rectangular plan and surrounded by a defensive wall with four corner towers was developed. A new residential wing was built along the wall, on the east side. North and west side of the palace were surrounded by broads, which improve defensive properties of the castle.
Autor of pictures Tomasz Trojnar
The subsequent owner was Marcin Krasicki who further developed the austere castle converting it into a fortified residence. It is then when in the north-west corner of the edifice Baszta papieska (Papal Tower) was erected. Its name origin derived from the fact that it offered guest rooms for church dignitaries. One of its guests was; most likely, the papal nuncio, Cosmos de Torres, who is said to have given a sword blessed by the pope who was trying to convince Poles to take part in the war with Turks. Papal tower is decorated with an attic. A curious detail is a stone embedded outside the tower on the north side, which shape resembles a large loaf of bread. According to the stories, workers building the edifice earned as much as a loaf of this size.
Between 1594 and 1614 the north wing was rebuilt and expanded by the owner rooms and the most presentable chamber, the so-called Izba Stołowa Wielka Królewska (Great Royal Dining Chamber). A new two-storey residential wing was built along the east wall. One-storey galleries were erected on a courtyard side. New three towers were built and named Boska (Divine), Królewska (Royal), and Szlachecka (Noble).
In the subsequent years, the castle become the property of Jan Tarla, Lublin voivode, who was an adherent of Augustus II, and as a consequence, Krasiczyn was invaded in 1726 by Russian troops and Cossacks. The castle was severely devastated. Chambers furnishings were stolen, castle chapel was destroyed, and Papal tower was demolished.
In the 30s of the 19th century Krasiczyn was purchased by Leon Sapieha. It was the Sapieha property till 1939. Among others, Adam Stefan Sapieha, the cardinal, was born here. The Sapieha introduced the custom of planting a tree after a birth of a child: when it was a boy an oak, when it was a girl a lime. These trees still exist.
In 1852 there was a fire in the castle.
At the beginning of the Second World War, the castle was plundered by Soviet troops. In 1941 there was Molotov Line fortifications located nearby (Przemyśl Fortified Area).
Currently, the castle restoration commenced in the 70s of the 20th century is still ongoing.
Krasiczyn Castle Gallery fot Marek Stępowicz