Discover Oleśnicki: Nature, Water and History

The Widawa, cycling routes and water

The green-marked “Trasa Doliny Widawy” cycling route is about 30 kilometres long. It starts at Bierutów PKP railway station on Kolejowa Street. Another described route is the red “Duża pętla twardogórska” cycling route: it is 46.5 kilometres long and starts at the Gminny Ośrodek Sportu i Rekreacji in Twardogóra. Bicycles and equipment such as helmets, pumps and child seats can be hired there; overnight accommodation is also available. The different route lengths give you a concrete reference point when planning your cycling trip.

A water route runs along the Widawa for more than 40 kilometres, from Bierutów towards Wrocław. In Bierutów, there is a prepared launch site where kayaks can be put onto the Widawa kayaking route. This gives you the choice of cycling or travelling on the water as different ways to experience the river landscape.

At Zalew Stradomia, the listed facilities include a 300-metre-long sandy beach and a supervised swimming area. Kayaks and pedal boats are available for seasonal hire. A beach volleyball and basketball court, boules lanes and a children’s playground with a sandpit round out the leisure options. Along the recreational path by the Skorynia, there are walking and jogging paths on both banks in two areas bordering the river, as well as a playground and a boules area.

Nature and trails around Twardogóra

The municipality of Twardogóra has hiking, cycling, walking, recreational and educational trails, as well as an equestrian trail. Natural areas also shape this part of the county: parts of the Natura 2000 programme, a network of European nature conservation areas, are located within the municipality. The “Torfowisko koło Grabowna” nature reserve lies between Grabowno Wielkie and Twardogóra and was designated a nature reserve in 1980. If you are interested in nature and outdoor activities, you can make these trails and protected areas a focus of your trip.

Castles, churches and regional collections

In Oleśnica stands the Castle of the Dukes of Oleśnica, also known as Oleśnica Castle or the Castle in Oleśnica. It is considered the city’s most valuable historic monument and one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Lower Silesia. Over the course of its history, it existed as a medieval castle complex, a Gothic castle and a Renaissance residence of the dukes, and was modernised several times.

The Minor Basilica of St John the Apostle in Oleśnica is considered one of the oldest churches in Silesia. A chained library, founded by Charles II in 1594, still exists in the same church interior. According to J. Sinapius, the new brick town hall was built in 1410. These buildings show different chapters in the city’s history, from the medieval castle and ducal residence to religious and municipal institutions.

Twardogóra also offers a glimpse into the past. The Museum of the Twardogóra Region holds prints, documents, coins, artefacts of material culture and edged weapons. The memorabilia have been collected since 1957, at the suggestion of history teacher and later school principal Alojzy Zielecki. An exhibition opened to the public on 15 February 1977 and was named “Muzeum Szkolne Ziemi Twardogórskiej”. Twardogóra is also home to a private collection of 30 fragments of the Berlin Wall, assembled and made accessible by Ludwik Wasecki.

In Bierutów, sections of the fortification walls survive along much of their original course; they probably date from the first half of the 14th century. Today, only the tower of the town hall remains, without its spire. It probably dates from the first half of the 15th century.

Your travel interests can help determine where to stay: the river and water activities, cycling routes, nature trails and historic buildings each offer a different focus. When looking for a holiday rental, consider which places and experiences you would like to make central to your trip.

More places in the county

Sosnowka, Domasławice, Dobroszyce, Międzybórz, Jenkowice, Dobrzeń, Olszówka and Zawidowice.

For the wider travel overview: Lower Silesia.