Saint-Cosme de Tours Priory, originally built in the 11th century, is situated on the banks of the Loire at La Riche to the west of Tours. It is famous as the last residence of poetry Pierre de Ronsard. He became its most celebrated prior when in 1565 the monks' welcomed him into their community: He lived here until his death in 1585 and was buried among his beloved roses. He divided his time between his writing, walks, prayer and gardening, taking inspiration from his peaceful surroundings.
On the site today you can see the ruins of the priory and the prior's lodge in all its austere splendour. You get to stand in Ronsard's writing room.
Ogrodzieniec Castle is a ruined medieval castle originally built in the 14th–15th century by the W³odkowie Sulimczycy family. Established in the early 12th century, during the reign of Boles³aw III Wrymouth, the first stronghold was razed by the Tatars in 1241. In the mid-14th century a new gothic castle was built here to accommodate the Sulimczycy family. Surrounded by three high rocks, the castle was well integrated into the area. The defensive walls were built to close the circuit formed by the rocks, and a narrow opening between two of the rocks served as an entrance.
In 1470 the castle and lands were bought by the wealthy Cracovian townsmen, Ibram and Piotr Salomon. Then, Ogrodzieniec became the property of Jan Feliks Rzeszowski, the rector of Przemy¶l and the canon of Cracow. The owners of the castle about that time were also Jan and Andrzej Rzeszowskis, and later Pilecki and Che³miñski families. In 1523 the castle was bought by Jan Boner.