8 Kolobrzeska, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Książ Castle is the third biggest castles in Poland but definitely the most beautifully located one from this giant shortlist. It especially interesting as it joins older history, as the construction started in the 13th century, and more recent history as it was largely changed during WWII. If you enjoy conspiracy theories of the human civilization, there is no other such place like Książ as digressions about Hitler purposes for Książ are numerous. During sightseeing of the castle, you will be able to see lots of alternations introduced by Nazi Germans. Apart from the Castle itself it is worth to stroll in the Książ gardens designed in French style and also to visit palm house and stables nearby. Sightseeing of the castle takes about 2 h.
Another interesting fairly new Wałbrzych attraction is the Former Mine. It is located in the Biały Kamień district, less than 2 km from the Wałbrzych Market Square. The museum includes the oldest and the largest preserved complex of mining industrial buildings from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in Wałbrzych. In the Center there is: Industry And Technology Museum, here visitors learn about the history of coal, mining and miners working in extremely dangerous conditions, see mining machines and their components, souvenirs related to the activities of Wałbrzych mines, as well as audio-visual materials and a collection of archives; Contemporary Art Gallery presents exhibitions of outstanding personalities of art, they are shows of painting, photography, graphics, drawing, as well as less traditional forms of art; finally there is the Unique Ceramics Center that offers individual and group ceramic and pottery workshops.
Last but not least place worth visiting in Wałbrzych is the Porcelain Museum established in 2015 in the Albertich Palace. The museum collections has over 10 thousand exhibits gathered in several sections: History of the City and Region, Ceramics and Art. Visitors can find porcelain produced in the region of Lower Silesia (in Wałbrzych, but not only), and wonderful examples of porcelain products from other countries, such as Germany, the Czech Republic, France, England, the Netherlands, Russia and Austria. Some of the rooms have been arranged in the style of a former bourgeois residence with the use of own collections, mainly paintings, furniture and arts and crafts. The museum also presents a collection of Polish contemporary painting and a collection of Polish ceramics from the 1950s and 1960s.
The highest peak in the Wałbrzyskie Mountains is Borowa, also known as the Black Mountain (853.3 m above sea level). On the top of it there is a 16.5 m high metal observation tower with an interesting twisted structure. The second highest peak of the Wałbrzych Mountains is Chełmiec (851 m above sea level). It is situated within the spa town of Szczawno-Zdrój. A stone tower, originally 22 m high, has stood on the top since the end of the 19th century. The third highest peak in the Wałbrzych Mountains is Trójgarb (778 m above sea level). There is also an observation tower (27.5 m) on top of it. It is a modern structure, built in the 21st century. It is interesting because it has five viewing terraces at different heights.
Jedlina-Zdrój has been a health resort since 1723. Its facilities are included in the list of monuments, as are the railway station, villas and houses. In Jedlinka, part of Jedlina-Zdrój, there is the Jedlinka Palace. Tourists can visit it and stay overnight in its rooms, because some of the buildings are intended for a hotel and a hostel. The palace dates back to the beginning of the 17th century and was built as a baroque manor house.
Szczawno Zdrój is a popular health resort. People talked about the healing nature of the waters of Szczawno-Zdrój since the Middle Ages. When walking around the city, pay attention to historic villas and guesthouses. The first Mineral Water Pump Room was built around 1820. Currently, the building of the pump room is one of the most characteristic objects of the health resort in Szczawno-Zdrój. After tasting four types of water in the pump room for a small fee, the hall connected to it allows visitors to walk and rest under a roof that protects against rain and sun. Four types of water offered by the Mineral Water Pump Room are: "Dąbrówka" (good for problems with the liver, bile ducts, stomach, intestines), "Marta" (recommended for people with urinary and digestive system diseases), "Mieszko" (helps to cleanse the system respiratory) and "Młynarz" (recommended for various ailments of digestive organs). All the waters and their mixtures can be purchased in a bottle to take their miraculous power home. It is also worth to see the Grand Hotel, which was organized by Princess Daisy and visited by Winston Churchill.
Summing up, visiting and sightseeing Wałbrzych and its surrounding is a must, if you are in vicinity or happen to travel to Wrocław. The natural beauty of the hilly area joined with technology and architecture monuments compose perfect mixture of attractions for every tourist. The Wałbrzych Mountains provide abundance of picturesque tourist routes, historic spa towns, buildings and peaks from which, thanks to observation towers, you can admire mountain landscapes. If any of the above mentioned attractions caught your interest feel free to contact one of ITS Poland professional group specialists to start your Lower Silesia adventure!
Author: Agnieszka Szwedzińska
Date 31.05.2021
