There is a place in Ukraine that is known as a birthplace of famous Polish king Jan III Sobieski. This is the Olesko Castle that is located not far from Ukrainian city Lviv.
It was built between 13th and 14th centuries as defensive fortification at the territorial border of Polish-Lithuanian Principality. In those days Olesko Castle was an outpost against the Tatar-Mongols and Turks. They say, many times invaders tried to conquer it but the castle resisted and was restored every time.
In the beginning of 17th century the castle becomes the property of magnate Ivan Daniłowicz who had a beautiful young daughter Zofia. One of the local noblemen, young Adam Żółkiewski, fell in love with her and tried to get her father’s blessing for their marriage. But Daniłowicz thought that his son-in-law has to be more wealthy and powerful so when the young man asked him to bless this marriage while they played cards, Daniłowicz said no. Then Żółkiewski snatched out his dagger and stabbed himself right at the table!
As he was a self-destroyer, it was forbidden to bury him at the cemetery. That’s why his body was entombed near the castle. They say, the ghost of unlucky lover wanders in the castle till nowadays. The most interesting is that to meet him is a great piece of luck for any young and single lady. It is considered that this lady will get married happily very soon.
As for the Zofia Daniłowiczówna, her father gave her in marriage to Polish magnate Yakub Sobieski. Soon young wife gave birth to their son, Jan. It was a strong thunderstorm during the birth and when the boy saw the light and the midwife put him on the marble table, a sound of thunder, the table suddenly cracked and domestic servants became deaf. It was the birth of the great Polish king, Jan III Sobieski that stopped the invasion of Turks to Europe in a famous battle near Vienna.
His wife, Maria Casimire, liked beautiful Olesko Castle and contributed to its restoration. Thanks to that the castle was transformed to a palace with many splendid halls with luxurious statues and paintings that were preserved till nowadays.
Today the National Museum Complex of Treasues of Olesko Castle is located here and presents all these beautiful things, such as paintings, icons, sculptures, ornamental art etc. Visit this wonderful and mystic place with your Ukrainian lady, feast your eyes with the treasures of the castle and maybe your lady will be lucky to see the known ghost of the noblemen Adam Żółkiewski, that will help you to marry each other happily!