Originally a knight's stronghold erected on an isle surrounded by a moat, it was founded in the early 16th century by the Górka family. Several times remodeled, also in the mid-18th century, the castle received its final appearance thanks to the efforts of Tytus Adam Działyński who became the owner of Kórnik in 1826. In the Kórnik castle Działyński 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 remodeling works were carried out according to designs by A. Corazzi, H. Marconi, and K. F. Schinkel. Using Schinkel's ideas, Działyński, 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 Kórnik 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.