Milicz: Palace Park, Pond Landscape and Trails

Culture and History in Milicz

The neoclassical Pałac Maltzanów was built between 1790 and 1798 to a design by Karol G. Geissler. Its park is home to 80 species of shrubs and trees, and the Młynówka Milicka stream flows through the grounds. Here, the architecture and park together shape the visit: you can explore the building alongside the diverse planting and watercourse.

The construction history of the Church of St. Andrew Bobola also goes back a long way: it was built between 1709 and 1714. Another landmark in Milicz is the building known as “Stara Rzeźnia” (Old Slaughterhouse). It houses a tourist information office, a conference and event hall, and workshop rooms. The ruins of Milicz Castle are currently not open to visitors. Bear this distinction between the cultural sites in mind when planning your outings.

Ponds, Birds and Views Around the Municipality

Within the municipality, the “Dolina Baryczy” Landscape Park covers around 90% of the area of the Gmina Milicz. A total of 277 bird species have been recorded there, including 169 breeding species. A 13-metre-high observation tower stands at Grabownica Pond, where ornithologists and tourists can observe birds and the surrounding landscape. The pond lies within the Stawno complex and is its largest body of water. More than 100 grey herons regularly gather there.

These natural attractions offer a different focus for a stay than the buildings in Milicz: the emphasis is on bodies of water, birdwatching and scenery. When deciding where to stay, you can therefore weigh up whether you would rather explore cultural sites or trails and natural attractions around the municipality, without combining the different places into one single walk.

Nature Trails of Different Lengths

The 5 km “Ruda Sułowska” nature trail runs between ponds, crossing dams lined with old oak trees. It provides a way to explore the southern part of the Ruda Sułowska pond complex, which belongs to the “Stawy Milickie” nature reserve. Another option is the 8 km “Milicz – Ostoja Konika Polskiego – Barycz” nature trail. Its route passes through the mosaic of ponds, meadows and forests typical of the Barycz Valley.

The “Wokół Stawu Grabownica” trail is 7 km long. It starts in the village of Grabownica and ends near the observation tower at Grabownica Pond; the entire route lies within the “Stawy Milickie” nature reserve. The 9 km “W krainie ptaków” nature trail passes through the Stawno complex. The stated lengths and routes can help you choose trails based on the landscapes that interest you most. They describe separate routes, not one shared route.

Cycle Routes and a Historic Railway Line

There are more than 100 km of marked cycle routes within the Gmina Milicz. The 23 km cycle route along the former narrow-gauge railway line runs from Gruszeczka via Sułów and Milicz to Grabownica. The railway began operating in 1894; its last train ran on 14 September 1991. The current cycle route and its former use as a railway line give this route two distinct historical associations.

The blue “Szlak Stawów Milickich” cycle route is 28.7 km long and runs from Grabówka via Milicz and Grabownica to Czatkowice. A 10.1 km section of the black “W Dolinę Baryczy” cycle route lies within the Gmina Milicz; it runs from south of Niesułowice to east of Nowy Zamek. When planning, compare the stated lengths and places rather than treating the routes as one connected route.

Discover More Places

For more ideas when choosing where to visit, see Milicz and Łazy Wielkie.

For the broader travel overview: Lower Silesia.

More Destinations

More places in the same destination:

Dzierżoniów, Lubański, Wałbrzyski, Lwówek Śląski, Strzelin, Trzebnicki.