Staszów between summer by the water and history
Accommodation in Staszów
In Staszów County, summer water sports at Zalew Chańcza meet monastic history in Rytwiany and medieval traces in Szydłów. This gives you different options when planning your trip: you can focus on water activities, religious culture or historic buildings. When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first consider which of these experiences you would like to shape your vacation days.
Summer at Zalew Chańcza
The southern part of Zalew Chańcza is in Staszów County. In summer, visitors can enjoy the supervised bathing beach and go kayaking, boating or pedal boating; windsurfing and motorized water sports are also available. This makes it possible to combine swimming with a range of activities on the water. If you include this part of the region in your trip, you can plan a summer stay by the lake as a distinct focus—different from days devoted mainly to monasteries and historic sites.
Monastic history and reflection in Rytwiany
The Pustelnia Złotego Lasu in Rytwiany is a tourist and pilgrimage center. It is open to everyone seeking peace and reflection. The Camaldolese monastery complex dates from the 17th century and is one of the most significant Polish monastic complexes from the first half of that century. The site thus combines a spiritual character with a clear historical context.
The Pustelnia is also home to the Galeria Kamedulska. It displays old paintings, memorabilia and exhibits about the history of the hermitage in Rytwiany. The visit can therefore be viewed from two perspectives: the monastery complex represents the religious history of the site, while the gallery focuses on its history and memorabilia. For travelers interested in monastic culture, Rytwiany offers a specific focus alongside the swimming and water sports at Zalew Chańcza.
Medieval traces in Szydłów
Szydłów is known for its well-preserved medieval town layout. The defensive walls were built from local limestone in the 14th century. The town plan and fortifications give history a physical form here, distinct from the monastic history of Rytwiany.
Szydłów’s royal castle also preserves distinctive historic features, including a private royal chamber and medieval hypocaust furnaces. Following its revitalization in 2019, the palace was roofed and prepared for visitors. The Muzeum Zamków Polskich in the Skarbczyk adds another perspective with ten 3D models of castles, including two models of Szydłów. This allows visitors to explore the site alongside a presentation of castles in model form.
Church and palace history in the county
In Staszów, the church of pw. św. Bartłomieja was built in 1342–1343 as a Gothic church of stone and brick. Its precise dating provides another historical reference point: while Szydłów is associated with its town layout and defensive walls, Staszów’s focus is a religious building. The Zespół Pałacowy w Kurozwękach is also among the factors contributing to tourism development in Staszów County. The palace’s history dates back to the 14th century.
A regional perspective on Świętokrzyskie
The wider destination of Świętokrzyskie offers a broader regional perspective on history and landscape. In Krzemionki, the region’s prehistoric striped flint mining area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. The flint mines were in operation during the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, approximately from 3900 to 1600 BC. This much earlier period complements the medieval traces in Szydłów and Staszów, as well as the 17th-century monastery complex in Rytwiany.
The wider destination of Świętokrzyskie also includes Świętokrzyski National Park. It protects the highest mountain range of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and its surroundings. Visits are permitted only on marked hiking trails or at places designated for educational activities. Check the park’s guidance before visiting.
Discover more destinations
Oleśnica, Osiek, Skarżysko-Kamienna, Korytnica, Kurozwęki, Budy, Rytwiany, Staszów, Wiązownica Mała.
For the broader travel overview: Świętokrzyskie.
