Discover Zwierzyniec: History and Trails

Zwierzyniec reveals itself through distinctive buildings and a variety of walking routes. The residence of the Commissioner of the Zamoyski Entail, four Neoclassical side buildings and the Church of St. John of Nepomuk trace different phases of architectural history. There is also a yellow-marked educational trail with a viewpoint and a 67-kilometre route to Florianka. If you would like to combine cultural history and activity, you can plan both as separate highlights of your stay: explore historic buildings and include a route in your trip. This lets you choose where to stay based on the sights that interest you most.

Architectural history across several eras

The residence of the Commissioner of the Zamoyski Entail was built in 1889–1890 and is now the headquarters of Roztocze National Park. Four Neoclassical side buildings were constructed in the 18th century; today, they house the Jan Zamoyski School Complex of Woodworking and Environmental Protection. In Zwierzyniec, historic building periods sit alongside two different institutional uses: the residence is the park’s headquarters, while the side buildings house a school. If you are interested in architecture, you can therefore look at the buildings from two perspectives: when they were built and what purpose they serve today. The different eras make this part of local history more tangible than a mere sequence of dates.

A church on a pond island

The Church of St. John of Nepomuk offers a different perspective. It was built between 1741 and 1747 on one of the four islands in the pond created by Jan Sobiepan Zamoyski. Its founders were Tomasz Antoni and Teresa Aniela Zamoyscy. Here, the church is connected with the man-made pond; its history encompasses both its location and its named founders. In contrast with the residence, which serves an institutional purpose, the focus here is on the religious building and its island setting. If you like to understand cultural sites through their origins and place in the townscape, the church offers a distinct perspective.

Exhibitions for groups

At the Roztocze National Park information point in Zwierzyniec, groups can reserve visits to the permanent exhibition “In the Land of Fir, Beech and Tarpan” and to temporary exhibitions at the park’s Education and Museum Centre. Alongside the historic buildings and routes, an exhibition visit can therefore be added as a separate element of your plans. If you would like to include a group visit, confirm the current reservation arrangements in advance.

An educational trail and a longer route

The yellow-marked Piaseczna Góra educational trail runs from the monument to fallen foresters via Piaseczna Góra to the old town of Zwierzyniec, and offers a viewpoint. The 67 km Obwodnica Roztoczańskiego Parku Narodowego (Roztocze National Park Loop) runs from Zwierzyniec to Florianka. The two routes differ in the landmarks mentioned: for the educational trail, the focus is on its marking, course and viewpoint, while the Obwodnica is described by its length and two endpoints. Check the current signs and conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Łabunie, Deszkowice-Kolonia, Chomęciska Duże, Jacnia, Nielisz, Sitno, Sitaniec, Krasnobród.

For the broader travel overview: Zamość.