Zlotoryja – City in the Land of Extinguished Volcanoes

Zlotoryja, located in the Kaczawskie Foothills, is situated in a picturesque region called the Land of Extinct Volcanoes. The surrounding hills, the result of ancient volcanic activity, create an unusual landscape that attracts tourists. The city, founded in 1211 by Henry the Bearded under the Magdeburg Law, is one of the oldest in Poland. It was famous for gold mining, which influenced its name – “Goldberg” (Golden Mountain) in German and “Mons Aurum” (Golden Mountain) in Latin.

Gold Mining and Monuments of Zlotorya

Gold mining played a key role in Zlotorya’s history, and its legacy can be explored today at the Gold Museum, which is housed in a 17th-century building. The museum has a rich collection of archaeological, geological and numismatic artifacts that show the transformation of the town. Also worth a visit are fragments of the Aurelia mine shaft beneath St. Nicholas Mountain, which dates back to the mid-17th century. Nearby, at the top of the hill, is St. Nicholas Church, built in the 14th century and rebuilt five centuries later, on the site of the first mining settlement.

Architectural Monuments and the Blacksmith’s Tower

Zlotoryja also offers other valuable architectural monuments, including the 13th century Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose tower provides an unforgettable view of the town and its surroundings, including the Kaczawskie Foothills and the Karkonosze Mountains. It is also worth strolling through Zlotoryja’s old town with its historic townhouses around the Market Square, as well as seeing the family mausoleums in the municipal cemetery and fragments of the medieval defensive walls. The Blacksmith’s Tower, one of the best-preserved medieval buildings in the city, is also an extremely valuable monument.

Zlotoryja is a city that combines a rich history of gold mining with picturesque landscapes and precious monuments, creating a unique atmosphere to explore and discover.

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