Starachowice: Forests, Trails and Industrial History

Industrial History at the Blast Furnace Works

The Muzeum Przyrody i Techniki „Ekomuzeum“ im. Jana Pazdura is located on the site of the blast furnace works. The site includes the blast furnace complex dating from the late 19th century. It is the only fully preserved technological line of ironworks facilities in Europe. This makes Starachowice an interesting destination for travellers who want to explore industry as a subject in its own right, rather than just as a backdrop to their trip. The complex offers a tangible insight into the history of ironmaking technology, while also connecting your visit to the city’s industrial past.

Church and Jewish Cemetery

Another chapter in the city’s history can be discovered at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Starachowice. It was founded in 1681 and is a three-aisled sandstone church. Its founding date, design and material give the building a distinctive historical and architectural character. Those interested in church architecture will find here a point of interest that is quite different from the technical focus of the blast furnace works.

The Jewish cemetery in Starachowice was established towards the end of the 19th century and was in use until 1946. It is one of the largest in the region. Its history offers another perspective on the past of the area. Together, the church and the blast furnace complex present a range of subjects for a stay: religious architecture, Jewish history and industrial history. You can decide which to focus on based on what you and your fellow travellers would like to learn more about.

Trails by Zalew Lubianka and towards Wykus

The yellow walking trail starts at a turning loop on ul. Myśliwska, on the eastern side of Zalew Lubianka. It is approximately 7.5 kilometres long. It follows the southern side of Zalew Lubianka and leads to Langiewicz’s camp. If you want to take a specific distance into account when planning your day, this trail gives you an approximate guide. Its starting point, route along the water and destination also provide a clear theme for the walk.

Another option is the black hiking trail. It starts at Starachowice Zachodnie railway and bus station and reaches the Wykus clearing. The trails therefore differ in their stated starting and end points: the yellow walking trail focuses on Zalew Lubianka and its approximate 7.5-kilometre distance, while the black hiking trail starts at the railway and bus station and ends at the Wykus clearing. This information can help you choose a route that suits your own excursion plans.

Narrow-Gauge Railway and Travel Information

During the tourist season, the Starachowicka Kolej Wąskotorowa operates on two sections: Starachowice–Lipie and Iłża–Marcule. Timetabled services on the Starachowice–Lipie section are to be provided once repair work is complete. If the narrow-gauge railway is of interest to you, keep this information in mind when planning; the sections listed and the information about timetabled services relate to different aspects of seasonal operations.

The road connections also help you get your bearings: Starachowice is on National Road 42 between Namysłów and Rudnik. The provincial roads 744, between Radom and Starachowice, and 756, between Starachowice and Stopnica, also start here. The sights and routes described offer a range of interests, so you do not have to limit your trip to just one theme.

To explore other places in this destination, you can also find Starachowice, Wielka Wieś, Jabłonna, Ambrożów, Tarczek and Grabków here.

For the broader travel overview: Świętokrzyskie.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Jędrzejów, Pińczów.