Originally a knight's stronghold erected on an isle surrounded by a moat, it was founded in the early 16th century by the GÙrka family. Several times remodelled, also in the mid-18th century, the castle received its final appearance thanks to the efforts of Tytus Adam DziaÓyÕski who became the owner of KÙrnik in 1826. In the KÙrnik castle DziaÓyÕski wanted to store his collection of old books and works of art. It was his wish to place those "national mementos" in a building whose Gothic forms would remind of the past glory of Poland. The remodelling works were carried out according to designs by A. Corazzi, H. Marconi, and K. F. Schinkel. Using Schinkel's ideas, DziaÓyÕski, together with the architect Marian Cybulski, created his own vision of a neo-Gothic castle whose construction lasted from 1838 till 1880. Thus one of the most splendid and picturesque romantic residences came into being. In 1924 the estate was bestowed to the Polish nation. At present, apart from the museum, the KÙrnik castle contains also a library, cooperating with the Polish Academy of Sciences; the library possesses one of the most valuable collections of volumes in Poland. The park which surrounds the castle functions as a scientific research station of the Polish Academy of Sciences' Dendrological Institute.