Poland’s medieval castles stand as remarkable witnesses to the shared history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland under Vytautas the Great. These fortresses — Drohiczyn Castle, Mielnik Castle, and Bielsk Podlaski Castle — reflect his influence as a ruler and visionary.

Perched on Castle Hill along the Bug River, Drohiczyn Castle was a vital defensive and administrative hub. Under Vytautas, a wooden stronghold was transformed into stone towers and fortifications, creating a residence central to the region’s governance. Local legend claims Vytautas loved Drohiczyn so much that he ordered it burned after his death to prevent others from taking it. Today, no structures remain, but Castle Hill, shaped by the river’s erosion, serves as a historical landmark.

At the border of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland, the Castle in Mielnik was a fortified trade hub and royal residence. Vytautas established a complex with wooden and stone buildings, including a Gothic church. Over the years, it hosted Lithuanian Grand Dukes and Polish kings, evolving into a Renaissance-style manor under King Sigismund Augustus. Sadly, fires and wars left only fragments of its walls and church ruins, though the hill remains a cherished tourist spot.

Initially a wooden Ruthenian stronghold, Bielsk Podlaski became an administrative center under Vytautas, who built a wooden manor, later called Vytautas Castle. By the 15th century, the Castle in Bielsk Podlaski served as a retreat for Lithuanian and Polish rulers. Fires and wars eventually erased the castle’s traces. Today, Castle Hill, now a leveled park, offers subtle reminders of its storied past.

By capturing these castles through advanced 3D technology, the Volyn Foundation and its partners from the University of Bialystok (Poland), the Educational Research and Innovation Institute (Lithuania), and the IED (Greece) ensure their stories and significance are safeguarded, connecting past and present for future generations.