Deutsch-Piekarn

Deutsch-Piekarn brings together religious traditions, varied landscapes and opportunities to stay active. In Piekary Śląskie, a men’s pilgrimage held annually for decades, places of remembrance around the Kalwaria, hills and natural areas sit alongside sports and leisure facilities. When planning your holiday, you can weigh up whether culture and history, experiences in nature or active pursuits should be the main focus of your trip.

Pilgrimage and the history of the Kalwaria

The men’s pilgrimage in Piekary Śląskie has taken place without interruption since 1947, on the last Sunday in May. Numerous men and young men attend. Its fixed date shapes the town’s annual calendar and serves as a special point of reference for travellers interested in religious traditions.

The history of the Kalwaria dates back to the 19th century: on 31 December 1854, the plan for a Kalwaria pilgrimage site was announced on Cerekwica Hill. Under the parish priest Bernard Purkop, the project took concrete shape between 1862 and 1882. Those interested in the origins of this pilgrimage site will also find relevant points of interest at the Sanctuary Museum.

The museum has three exhibition rooms. One is devoted to the history of Marian devotion and the image of the Piekary Madonna. Another displays mementos of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła’s presence in Piekary; the third showcases selected exhibits from the Kalwaria chapels. The museum opened on 12 September 2009 for pilgrims and parishioners. Alongside the pilgrimage itself, Marian devotion, local history and selected sacred exhibits thus offer distinct cultural themes to explore.

Hills, views and nature

Kocie Górki is one of the interesting landscape areas in Piekary Śląskie. Its distinctive features include numerous hills and elevations, small ponds and rock outcrops. Winna Góra in Kozłowa Góra, a district of Piekary Śląskie, offers a different landscape: from there, you can see expansive agricultural land, a panorama of the Świerklaniec Reservoir and neighbouring hill ranges.

Kopiec Wyzwolenia also combines a prominent hill with opportunities to spend time outdoors. Following its extensive renovation in summer 2014, the hill gained an observation telescope, a playground, walking paths and a mini fitness area. It became a place for walks and recreational outings for city residents. These facilities appeal to a range of interests—from observing the surroundings and getting active to spending time at the playground.

The protected Żabie Doły natural and landscape complex lies near Piekary Śląskie, within the territory of Chorzów and Bytom, on the border with Piekary Śląskie. The area is a habitat for at least 129 breeding bird species, including at least 17 species that are rare in Upper Silesia. Those making nature their main focus can consider this habitat alongside the hills and ponds of Kocie Górki. The plateau in Piekary Śląskie is also described as having potential for cycling and hiking tourism, thanks to its picturesque landscapes and cultural and natural assets.

Active days and varied interests

MOSiR Piekary Śląskie facilities include a swimming pool, an ice rink, tennis courts, multi-purpose sports courts, a skatepark and playgrounds. Its leisure departments offer activities for children, young people and adults that encourage interests, activity and community spirit. The range therefore extends from sports facilities to ice skating and swimming, as well as play areas. When planning a trip, families can consider which of these types of activities would be most appealing for their time together.

Nature and geology have also been the focus of guided excursions: on a city-organised trip to the northern parts of Piekary Śląskie, participants discovered a particularly impressive stretch of the Brynica Valley, with its river gorge and Bekasowa Łąka. A walking excursion organised in September, titled “Po dnie triasowego morza” (“Along the bed of a Triassic sea”), explored the city’s geological and geomorphological features. The region’s history also includes a section of the Obszar Warowny “Śląsk” fortification line, which lies within Piekary Śląskie and is among its most interesting and oldest sections.

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first weigh up your personal priorities: pilgrimage and sacred history, landscapes and nature, or sports and leisure activities. Deutsch-Piekarn thus offers a range of themes for holiday planning, without requiring you to limit your trip to just one way of exploring.

Continue exploring directly: Piekary Śląskie.

More destinations: Tychy, Zabrze, Tarnowskie Góry, Bieruń-Lędziny, Będzin, Sosnowiec, Katowice.

Return to the main travel overview: Silesia.