Neumarkt In Schlesien: Oder Riverbank, Nature and History

Townscape, architecture and places of remembrance

Środa Śląska has an original, well-preserved town layout; the town hall dates from the 15th century. Together, these give the town a distinct historical character: the urban fabric on the one hand, and a single building with a long history on the other.

In Malczyce stands the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God, a former neo-Gothic Protestant church. It was built in 1902–1903 to a design by Hans Poelzig. A different perspective on the history of the Oder region can be found at the memorial stone made of Strzegom granite: it was unveiled in 2002, on the fifth anniversary of the millennium flood. Six marble plaques mark the highest water levels recorded on the Oder between 1854 and 1997.

The water castle in Wojnowice is a Gothic-Renaissance water residence dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. It was built on oak piles and is surrounded by a moat. The Środa Śląska Treasure offers another striking historical detail: it is not currently on display, but includes a crown from the second half of the 13th century. Each of its twelve elements bears an eagle.

Oder riverbank, riparian forest and birdwatching

The “Zabór” nature reserve covers 34.7 hectares and lies in the Miękinia municipality in Środa County. It protects a riparian forest within a larger woodland complex in the Wrocław Ice-Marginal Valley. Part of the Malczyce municipality also lies within the overlapping Łęgi Odrzańskie Natura 2000 sites: the Special Area of Conservation PLH020018 and the Special Protection Area PLB020008.

The largest grey heron colony on the Oder can be observed on the riverbank near Malczyce; white-tailed eagles often visit the riverbank. In winter, many birds also gather there to overwinter, especially mallards, as well as goldeneyes and goosanders. Which animals can be seen, and in what numbers, may vary from year to year and with the seasons. Winter sightings therefore differ considerably from possible encounters with grey herons and white-tailed eagles.

Trails for different day plans

Within the Malczyce municipality, the green PTTK hiking trail runs for 17.3 kilometres through Kwietno, Rusko and Malczyce. Check local conditions before setting out. The educational trail in Brodno offers a clear contrast in length: established in 2014, it is 420 metres long. Its facilities include a wooden pavilion, a footbridge, stairs, and information and educational boards about plants and animals. The two routes represent very different lengths, without implying anything about their level of difficulty.

There is another described sequence of places for a cycling trip: a cycle path leads from Kostomłoty to Zabłoto and then to Jakubkowice. Walking or cycling, you can choose a different focus for your day plan.

Wine, nature knowledge and choosing a holiday apartment

At Winnice Jaworek, the vineyard covers 24 hectares, where more than 30 grape varieties are being tested. The figures for the area and number of varieties may change. At the 17th edition of the Święto Wina in Środa Śląska, a jury of representatives from the wineries judged the taste of anonymous wine samples in the market square. In Malczyce, the Izba Muzealna presents an exhibition on the flora and fauna of the Środkowa Odra valley, featuring more than 30 photographs.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Neumarkt In Schlesien, it helps to first decide which experiences matter most: birdwatching on the Oder riverbank, architectural history, trails or wine. Let these interests guide your choice of location, and check local conditions for planned hikes. This way, the focus is not on a general assessment of the area, but on the kind of days you want to spend there.

Discover more places

Discover more destinations: Środa Śląska, Krępice, Jarosław, Piotrowice, Lenartowice, Kostomłoty, Wilkszyn, Mrozów.

For the overarching travel overview: Lower Silesia.