Balice: Ancient Oaks and History

Balice offers several distinct points of interest: the two ancient oaks Jan and Beldonek, St. Stanislaus Church, and archaeological traces of settlement. There are also written references dating back to the beginning of the 13th century. Natural monuments, architectural history, and early settlement represent different themes—a mix that makes Balice appealing to travelers interested in culture and landscape.

Two named oaks at the edge of the forest

The two oaks, Jan and Beldonek, designated as natural monuments, are about 250 years old. They stand in Balice on the road to Janowice, at the edge of the forest, in compartment 205a of the Budy Forest District in the Pińczów Forest Inspectorate. Their names give the trees their own identity: these are not just old oaks, but two named natural monuments in a specific location. This offers a different focus from Balice’s architectural and church history. Travelers particularly interested in the landscape and individual natural features will find a distinctive point of interest here, separate from the history of the church.

Church and palace: two historical highlights

St. Stanislaus Church was created in 1923 by converting the 19th-century neoclassical palace of the Lubieniecki family. The palace’s earlier architectural history and its conversion into a church thus form two successive chapters in the story of the same building. Bishop Augustyn Łosiński established the parish in Balice on March 19, 1923. The fact that the parish was also founded in 1923 makes that year a notable landmark in the history of the village; the conversion and the parish’s establishment remain two distinct events. The church stands on a hill in Balice, in the municipality of Gnojno, at number 1. For travelers more interested in architecture and church history than in natural monuments, this part of the village’s history offers a focus of its own.

Settlement traces and early references

A registered archaeological site in Balice includes a prehistoric settlement and other traces of settlement. The first written references to Balice date back to the beginning of the 13th century. These two topics point to different periods: the archaeological site refers to a prehistoric settlement, while the written references begin in the early 13th century. This extends the historical perspective beyond the architectural history of the church. Those interested in a place’s past can explore both the history of a building and early settlement traces and written references in Balice.

Which focus suits your trip?

When choosing a destination, you can weigh different interests: Jan and Beldonek represent natural monuments and the forest edge, while St. Stanislaus Church offers the story of the palace’s conversion and the parish. The archaeological site and early written references complement these themes with prehistory and the early history of the village. If you are traveling together and want to accommodate different interests, this comparison can help guide your choice: would you rather focus on the landscape, or are you more interested in architectural and local history? If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Balice, you can use this question as a starting point for choosing your destination. That way, you can shape your search around the themes you want to define your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Stopnica, Busko-Zdrój, Konary, Mietel, Janina, Kargów, Solec-Zdrój, Zielonki.

Go to the overarching travel guide: Buski.