Jan was a kind and prudent governor. He signed a peace treaty between Poland and Turkey, treaties with France and Sweden, and in 1684, remembering his Ukrainian origin, he legalised the existence of Cossacks on the Right-Bank Ukraine.
Jan III's triumph was his victory over the Turks in the battle near Vienna in 1683. Under his command, 76 thousand troops of the coalition of Christian states defeated a Turkish army twice as strong. Having prevented the Ottoman empire from conquering Europe and reached the summit of his life, Jan returns to his native land. Olesky castle, sold for the debts of son-in-law, Andriy Konetspolskyi, in 1682 was bought for a then-astronomic sum of 400,000 zlotys. His beloved Marysia finished restoring the castle before the return of her hero. The gates were rebuilt, the chapel was painted, the rooms were decorated with paintings and the floors were laid with marble. The room, where Jan III was born, was completely renovated.
In this cozy nest, the royal family liked to vacation at the end of summer. From this base, Jan visited his manors in Zolochiv and Pidhirtsi and went hunting.
Jan and his wife travelled there in 1694 for the last time. But he did not reach Olesko: the Tartars had made themselves at home there. So the king had to stay in Lviv.
After Jan III, the life of Olesky castle fades for many years and revives only in 1974, when the stronghold becomes an annex of the Lviv Art Gallery. The revival of the castle was much facilitated by Hero of Ukraine Boris Voznytskyi. He rebuilt the fortress almost from ruins, as during the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle endured several fires and even withstood an earthquake. Now in the castle chambers, samples of decorative and applied medieval art are exhibited. There are wonderful Brussels tapestries from the 16th century, a collection of wooden sculptures from the 14th – 19th century, the painting by Martino Altamonte “Battle near Vienna” from 1692, icons and other exhibits.
Not only the castle itself, but also the grand park laid around it, are worth compliments. Rare species of trees, a fruit garden, fountains and sculptures on one of the park terraces create an inimitable ensemble.
The castle's was recognised by film makers who used it as a set in “Boris Godunov”, “The Three Musketeers”, “Queen Bona”, “Shepherd Yanko”, “With Fire and Sword”, among others.
