The text describes the Podhorce castle in the Zlocow district. The history is recalled, dating back to the Koniecpolskis, who built the castle, and to Jan III Sobieski, whose family later owned it. It also passed into the hands of the Rzewuskis, and finally the Sanguszkos (Source: Tygodnik Illustrowany, Warsaw 1919, Półrocze I, p. 574, after: Digital Library of the University of Łódź).

A modernised reading of the text.

Podhorce

One of the best preserved castles, once scattered so widely over the territory of Poland, is Podhorce, situated in the Złoczów district. Built at the beginning of the 17th century by the Koniecpolskis, it passed to the Sobieski family; King Jan III, born in nearby Olesko, stayed here, then it was owned by the Rzewuskis, and finally it has been in the hands of the Sanguszkos ever since. The castle rises on the slopes of the Voromaki Mountains, dominating the vast, flat plain of the Bug River, to which there is still a magnificent view from the windows. The chambers, furnished quite as they were in Hetman's time, evoked vivid memories of the great king and the splendour of the Republic. The great hussar armoury housed the armour of the entire winged knighthood, many beautiful paintings, porcelain, crystal, Turkish tents, weapons, books adorned the magnificent stuccoed or damask-clad halls. The war in the first weeks, i.e. in August 1914, handed Podhorce over to the Russians, and then the most valuable collections were taken to Slavuta, thanks to the efforts of Prince Sanguszko. Anyway, the Russians respected the castle and its furnishings. The chateau did not suffer any damage after the Austrians returned in August 1916, when General Poglia, the commander of the IV Hungarian corps, chose the chateau as his headquarters and stayed there for 19 months, until the Peace of Brest. He left Podhorce in March 1918, leaving behind a barbaric ruin! Everything that had not been removed from the halls and chambers was completely destroyed: the walls were burnt by the burning of makeshift cookers, the mirrors were broken, the upholstery and furniture were shredded, the Turkish tents were cut into screens, King Jan III's bed and desk were smashed, many smaller items disappeared, the floors were burned... An unbelievable picture of barbarism! The rest of the destruction was done by the rule of the Ukrainians, who broke glass and porcelain, tore up books. Today Podhorce is a desolate ruin of its former magnificence; the magnificent halls are deserted, the charm of silence and beauty has disappeared, appealing to the soul with memories of the glorious times of the Fatherland and the castle. What remained intact were the walls, the gates, the courtyard and the beautiful church in the shape of an empty commune with a dome. In better times of freedom returning to our land, perhaps we can at least partially compensate for the damage and ruin of beautiful Podhorzec.