The original castle was built in the 11th century. Built at the behest of King Casimir III the Great, it consists of a number of structures situated around the Italian-styled main courtyard. The castle, being one of the largest in Poland, represents nearly all European architectural styles of medieval, renaissance and baroque periods. This castle dates from the 16th century. The castle was repeatedly sacked by the Prussian and Swedish armies. The Austrians intended to convert it to a barracks. That was not done but they did convert a building to a military hospital and destroyed two chapels.