Międzylesie

Międzylesie is located in the Klodzko Basin, right on the border with the Czech Republic. But before you’re tempted to take a trip to nearby Lichkov, check out what this Lower Silesian town, whose roots date back to the 13th century, has to offer.

History and architecture lovers will appreciate the castle and palace complex, which includes a medieval-Renaissance castle enriched with two palace wings, maintained in the Baroque style. When visiting the Międzylesie castle, it is also necessary to take a look at the neighboring Corpus Christi Church. Corpus Christi, where an unusual design element has been preserved: a pulpit in the shape of a boat with a sail. It is decorated with figures of St. Christopher, St. Augustine, St. Anthony and the prophet Jonah. The pulpit was made in the 18th century.

For those who are fond of hiking, Międzylesie has hiking trails – hiking and biking. We especially recommend the yellow trail. It runs from the train station in Miedzylesie to Kamienczyk, where it ends at the 18th-century church of St. Michael the Archangel, one of the four surviving wooden churches in Klodzko Land. The interior of the church is decorated in Baroque style. The main altar comes from the old church in Lichkov. The building is located on a small hill with a magnificent view of the Klodzko Basin, especially the Snieznik Massif. The tour time is estimated at 2 hours.

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Milicz

Milicz, the unwritten capital of the Barycz Valley. A town that stands somewhat in the shadow of the biggest local attraction: the fish ponds, whose area is about 7,500 hectares. Milicz’s ponds are the largest complex of their kind in all of Europe.

About 300 species of birds, including gray herons, white storks, kingfishers and ospreys, have taken a liking to this incredibly valuable natural area, and their presence makes exploring the area (on foot, by bicycle or during a canoe trip) even more enjoyable. Winged visitors have even visited Milicz – in the form of the “Bird Track”, or sculptures spread on the streets of the town.

The environs of Milicz are a paradise for cyclists. We especially recommend the bicycle path “Along the Route of the Old Narrow Gauge Railway” (railroad enthusiasts will surely appreciate the remains of the old infrastructure and rolling stock!). The path is about 20 km long, starts in Sułów, runs through Milicz and ends in Grabownica.

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Bardo

It is a small town located a few kilometers north of Klodzko. Referred to as the “City of Miracles,” it has been a place of Marian devotion since the Middle Ages, attracting pilgrims, but also tourists intrigued by the local history and legends.

One of Bard’s main attractions is the Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – a magnificent building, erected in 1686-1704 by the Cistercians. Its walls conceal the oldest wooden sacred sculpture in Lower Silesia (and probably also in Poland) – the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Bardzka. Legends say that the statue was made by a young man to whom the Virgin Mary appeared.

The city’s most distinctive landmark is the stone bridge over the Nysa Klodzka River. It was built in 1589, and owes its Gothic appearance to a reconstruction in 1909. Unfortunately, the bridge was destroyed during warfare and at that time two statues, St. John of Nepomuk and Christ Crucified, were lost. After reconstruction in 1950, the statues were still missing. However, Nepomucen returned to his place – the sculpture was restored in 2019.

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Kamieniec Ząbkowicki

Kamieniec Ząbkowicki is an extremely picturesque town – the vicinity of mountains, the Nysa Klodzka River and water reservoirs make it very attractive for tourists. However, the magnificent natural circumstances here have strong competition in the form of Marianne of Orange’s Palace.

The magnificent 19th-century building was erected for Marianne of Orange, daughter of King William I of the Netherlands. The palace, designed by the famous architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, stands on a hill, and its towers of intense red brick are visible from afar. In addition to the magnificent neo-Gothic architecture, visitors can also enjoy a stroll through the charming park.

The design of the park and garden establishment was rich in numerous terraces, fountains, pergolas, marble sculptures, and the impressive staircase was interspersed with rock formations, rich greenery and waterfalls. Today, although somewhat poorer in ornamentation, the garden is still breathtaking!

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Olesnica

It is one of the oldest cities in Poland – it has had city rights since 1255. Olesnica’s rich historical past can be seen from afar: the amazing panorama of the city impresses with clearly distinguishable imposing towers of historic buildings.

The tallest tower in the city boasts the Basilica of St. John the Apostle. The temple probably existed on this site as early as the 12th century as a wooden structure, which began to be rebuilt over time. In the 15th century it became a brick, three-nave temple, the shape of which has survived to this day. It houses, among other things, Poland’s only chain library, which has in its collection more than 230 antique volumes attached by chains to tabletops.

The most valuable of the city’s architectural monuments is the Castle of the Dukes of Olesnica, one of the best-preserved and largest castles in all of Lower Silesia. The Renaissance ducal residence, built on the basis of a Gothic castle, has been modernized many times. The oldest preserved part of it is a tower still from the Gothic times.

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Bystrzyca Klodzka

It is an ideal base for lovers of mountain tours – hiking and biking.

From Bystrzyca, a green trail will take you to Spalona Pass, along the way visiting the climatic PTTK Jagodna Hostel. In turn, the yellow trail will take you to the Igliczna Mountain and the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of the Snow or to the ruins of Fort Wilhelm from the end of the 18th century. Picturesque routes await cyclists.
The village has largely preserved its medieval urban layout. It is located on an escarpment and has terraced buildings, so that the streets climb charmingly towards the hill. Interestingly, the town has two markets: the Large one with the town hall and the Holy Trinity Column, and the Small one with a 16th-century pillory.

Bystrzyca also boasts well-preserved medieval defensive walls, including the Knights’ Tower, Klodzko Tower and Water Gate.

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Boguszow-Gorce

Although from the beginning of its existence Boguszów-Gorce has been connected with the mining industry, it has also always had tourist qualities, and in the interwar period it was a popular resort with the first casino in Lower Silesia!
The city boasts the highest located Market Square and City Hall in Poland, at an altitude of as much as 592 meters above sea level!

Near the train station, it is worth visiting the Mining and Quarrying Memorial Chamber located in the buildings of the historic “Witold” shaft, which is also a vantage point.

The location between the massifs of the Walbrzyskie and Kamienne Mountains gives you the opportunity to hike, ride or wild downhill on bicycle trails, and in winter enjoy cross-country skiing trails. Nearby is Mt. Dzikowiec, which can be reached on foot, by bike or by cable car!

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Bielawa

Bielawa is beautifully located at the foot of the Owl Mountains. The yellow trail leading through the Owl Mountains Landscape Park runs through it, and as many as four MTB trails start here!

At the beginning of the 19th century, Christian Dierig established in Bielawa the first cotton fabric factory in Lower Silesia. The City Hall, located on the market square, is housed precisely in the former administrative building of Dierig’s factory. Later, other textile factories were established here, and their owners built rich, beautiful villas – some of which can still be admired today. Another interesting building is the Sandretzky palace – a mansion from the late 16th century, consumed by fire in 1737, but rebuilt by Baron Sandretzky, who managed to preserve many elements of the original. In Bielawa’s Market Square, be sure to pay attention to the charming fountain – a water feature built in 1939 with an owl supported by eight dwarfs, which holds the city’s coat of arms in its talons.

Bielawski City Park hides many surprises – the possibility of kayaking or water cycling on the pond, using the rope park, taking a breather at the graduation tower or eating at the café.

One of the biggest attractions of the area is the picturesque Bielawskie Lake with a sandy beach and marina, as well as a pier that leads to an island located in the middle of the reservoir! A recreation and leisure center with water equipment rental operates on the reservoir.

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Swidnica

A must-see in Swidnica is, of course, the Holy Trinity Church of Peace. But don’t forget the beautiful Market Square, the Cathedral with the tallest church tower in Lower Silesia, the statue of the Swidnik Wild Boars guarding the Swidnikans’ Memorial Chest or the bench with a sculpture of astronomer Maria Kunic. The city also boasts interesting murals and beautiful green spaces.

I don’t think anyone needs convincing that on the route to Swidnica it is also worth stopping in Sobotka. And not just to climb Sleza, but also to visit the town itself, including the charming Market Square, St. Anne’s Church or the geological garden.

The area around Świdnica and Sobótka is also a real treat for cyclists. The Ślęża Massif in particular offers numerous and varied routes. With this in mind, as of April 29, the Lower Silesian Railway will again launch bicycle wagons on the route from Wroclaw Central Station to Swidnica via Sobótka! These are freight cars specially adapted to carry two wheels. Each holds as many as 38 single-track vehicles.

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Walbrzych

Noteworthy are the beautiful Market Square and nearby Magistracy Square, which features the impressive neo-Gothic Town Hall. Other architectural gems are certainly the impressive St. Guardian Angels Collegiate Church, as well as the Czettritz Castle from the 17th century. The palace has been rebuilt a number of times, and is now surrounded by a park, a farmstead, outbuildings and Villa Daisy, where Maria Teresa Oliwia Hochberg von Pless, who was associated with Książ Castle, lived. Unfortunately, the building is falling into disrepair, but traces of its former glory can still be seen.

Wroclaw has dwarves, Gniezno has rabbits, Jelenia Gora has deer, and Walbrzych has bustles! These small sculptures refer to the city’s mining traditions. From the website www.starakopalnia.pl you can download a map with the location of the bustards, and then find them all, thus getting to know the city in more detail.

That’s not all! The very journey on the train of the Lower Silesian Railways can be an adventure! The Walbrzych-Klodzko route is one of the most beautiful in Poland. On it you can see, among other things, one of the longest tunnels and one of the highest viaducts in the country. Such a journey takes about 1 hour 8 minutes.

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Klodzko

Since we recently encouraged you to take a trip along the most beautiful railroad route in Poland on the Walbrzych-Klodzko line, we now invite you to visit the town at the end of it. Klodzko is the capital and the heart of Klodzko Land. You can feel like you are traveling back in time here, thanks to the fact that the town has largely preserved its original medieval urban layout. In addition, thanks to the town’s location at the foot of Forteczna Mountain, many of the streets are steep, which makes them picturesque.

Speaking of Forteczna Mountain, it is impossible not to mention Klodzko Fortress. Already existing in this place in the 10th century, the fortress had a defensive character. Over time, the fortified structure expanded, and the fortress played an important role during the Napoleonic wars. Its sightseeing provides a powerful experience and is an unforgettable adventure.

However, the city offers much more. The market square with its beautiful townhouses and, above all, its neo-Renaissance town hall are impressive. While strolling through the center, be sure to walk across the Gothic St. John’s Bridge over the Mlynowka River, with its beautiful sculptures, thanks to which it has been compared to the Charles Bridge in Prague.

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