Chełmsko Śląskie: Weavers’ Houses and Local History

Chełmsko Śląskie brings together the history of weaving and a townscape where different architectural styles can be seen: wooden weavers’ houses stand alongside townhouses with arcades, and an early Baroque parish church is another of the town’s notable buildings. There is also a route leading from St Anne’s Column to the Chapel of St Anne. Those interested in architecture, craftsmanship and historic routes will find several themes here that work well together.

Weavers’ Houses with Their Own History

The wooden row of houses known as “Dwunastu Apostołów” is one of Chełmsko Śląskie’s distinctive ensembles. The twelve weavers’ houses were built in 1707 for weavers who had moved from Bohemia; eleven of the twelve original buildings survive. Together, they form a continuous row with arcades. The name refers to the original number of houses and identifies the group as a unified ensemble.

Another chapter in the local history of weaving is told by the house “Siedmiu Braci” at 21 Kamiennogórska Street. It is the only surviving house from the weavers’ settlement founded in 1763 on the initiative of Krzeszów Abbey. The two names therefore refer to different architectural contexts: on the one hand, the row known as “Dwunastu Apostołów”; on the other, the remaining house from a settlement with its own founding history. In one of the weavers’ houses, the Izba Tkactwa of the “Tkacze Śląscy” association displays historic spinning wheels, looms and other weaving tools. The town’s history can thus be encountered not only in the houses themselves, but also in the tools associated with the craft.

Arcades and Facades around the Market Square

The north side of the market square is also worth a closer look: townhouses from the Baroque and Neoclassical periods shape the streetscape there. Arcades, decorated facades and ornate gables give the houses their distinctive features. Together with the wooden weavers’ houses, they reveal a variety of architectural styles within the town. If you enjoy noticing details, you can shift your gaze between the facades and gables as you walk around, taking in their different architectural expressions.

Church and Route to the Chapel of St Anne

The Parish Church of the Holy Family is an early Baroque, three-aisled basilica. It underwent extensive reconstruction between 1670 and 1680. The term “three-aisled” describes the division of the church interior into three aisles; together with its early Baroque form, this makes it another architectural highlight in the town. Its building history is clearly distinct in date from that of the weavers’ houses, built in 1707.

Another experience takes you beyond the built-up area: the route to the Chapel of St Anne begins at St Anne’s Column on Kamiennogórska Street. Baroque shrines mark the way between the fields. The starting point, destination and markers give the route a distinct historical character. If, alongside the houses and facades, you would like to include a route marked by religious images in your plans, this connection to the chapel offers a theme of its own.

Plan Your Stay around Your Interests

If you are planning a stay focused on architectural history and weaving, you can choose Chełmsko Śląskie specifically when looking for a holiday apartment. This is especially suitable if you would like to experience the weavers’ houses, the townhouses around the market square and the parish church as distinct examples of the townscape. The route to the chapel adds a path between the fields, marked by shrines. You can tailor your choice of destination to your interests from the outset: architecture and craftsmanship, historic buildings, or, additionally, the route to the Chapel of St Anne.

Discover more destinations: Marciszów, Ciechanowice, Szarocin, Kamienna Góra, Leszczyniec, Lubawka, Czarnów.

View the broader travel guide: Kamiennogórski.