Swietokrzyskie - the place of power

8/13/2019 Swietokrzyskie - the place of power

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witokrzyskie The Place of Power We would like to invite you to visit the witokrzyskie Region,a place full of magic and energy. Come and see the Power Places, where you can gain spiritual, physical and intellectual power. These are the foci of attractions giving strength to visitors. While searching for spiritual power stemming from religion and worship places, you can take a tour to wity Krzy Mountain,Kakw-Godw and follow the traces of the Cistercians andsanctuaries. You can visit the secluded enclave of the GoldenForest Hermitage in Rytwiany offering peace and tranquillity,stand by wayside shrines in Ponidzie and see numerous largeand small temples and churches.

You will derive a lot of intellectual power on visiting historicplaces of the witokrzyskie Land as well as explore traces of the past with its treasures left by inhabitants of the land. Suchcities as Sandomierz, Kielce, Piczw or Szydw have accumu-lated a lot of precious monuments of architecture. The entireregion area abounds in castles, palaces and mansion houses(Ujazd, Kurozwki, Sobkw, Chciny) and its interesting muse-ums, chambers of remembrance as well as exhibitions show itsrich culture and history. The well preserved monuments of technology will transport you back to the times of the OldPolish Industrial Region, whereas the Ethnographic Park of theKielce Village Museum in Tokarnia will bring you closer to tra-ditions and folk customs.Owing to its rich offer of active and spa tourism, the place willbe an inexhaustible source of physical power for you. You willrestore your strength in modern health resorts in Busko-Zdrjand Solec-Zdrj. The thrill-seeking may visit sports airports inMasw and Piczw, horse-riding centres, take part in canoeing races and interesting open-air events. You will have an opportu-nity to admire the beauty of uncontaminated nature and attrac-tive water reservoirs on walking and bicycle tourist routesas long as hundreds of kilometres. All this only makes a substitute of

all attractions, which are waiting for you in the witokrzy-skie Region.

Welcometo the witokrzyskieRegion !!!


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The cave Raj Taking a trip all around thewitokrzyskie Region, oneonly needs to turn off theE-7 motorway from Krakw to Kielce into a side road to get to the very centre of Raj(Paradise) being the most beautiful cave in Poland.Nature has for ages created itsunderground complex of breathtaking tunnels andchambers decorated with hun-dreds of stalagmites, stalac-tites, pillars and pisoids of var-ious shapes and forms. A 180-metre underground route wasopened especially for tourists, who may admire the fairy-talelike underground world. The

entrance of the cave houses an exhibition with its restored camp of a Neanderthal family, three natural-size figures and remains of prehistoric ani-mals such as the mammoth, hairy rhinoceros and cave bear.

Jaskinia Raj Paradise Cave 26-060 Chciny Reservation for groups: phone (+4841) 366 30 15, fax (+4841) 366 44 14Individual reservation: phone (+4841) 346 55 18 Open: 918, VVIII Tue. Sun., 1017, IX-IV Tue. Sun.

www.jaskiniaraj.pl

The oak Bartek The oak Bartek which, according to various sources, is from 700 to 10years old, belongs to the most famous and most widely admired monumenof nature in Poland. The legend has it that there used to rest such Polish kinas Bolesaw Krzywousty, Kazimierz Wielki or Jan III Sobieski, who is sahave hidden royal treasures in the hollow of the mighty oak. Even today thold Barteks measurement is impressive: it is 30 m tall and its circumfereand diameter are 10 m and over 3 m respectively. Right next to it there groBarteks offspring, a young oak, which was planted during the celebratio

of the 1000 years of the Polish State.www.zagnansk.pl

wity Krzyysiec mountain, commonly referred toas wity Krzy (Holy Cross) mountain was especially liked by witches ages ago.

The folk legend has it that during theirSabbaths witches practised witchcraft andorganised hellish parties and dances.However, it is the remains of a stone hea-then ring surrounding the top of themountain and dating back to around 9thcentury.Nowadays wity Krzy is famous in Polandand abroad for the Benedictine monastery and its Relics of the Holy Cross Tree. Themonastery, now hosted by the Missionary Oblates, can boast of its 1000 years history. Visitors and pilgrims can see a Classicist church dating back to the 18th century andthe chapel of the Olenicki Family contain-ing Holy Cross Relics and a sepulchral crypt

in its vaults. It is worth visiting the MissionMuseum of the Missionary Oblates of the Virgin Mary as well as seeing the exhibition of the witokrzyski National Park. Tired visitors may try the monastery cuisine and drop in an old phcaf, not only to have a cup of coffee or tea, but also buy traditional herbal medicines.

The Sanctuary of the Relics of the Holy Cross and the Missionary Museum wity Krzy 1, 26-004 Bieliny Nowa Supia Commune Phone (+4841) 317 70 21Open on week-days 9.0012.00, and 13.0016.00, Sun. 12.0016.00The Exhibition of witokrzyskie National ParkPhone (+4841) 317 70 87, open every day 10.0018.00www.swietykrzyz.pl

THE PEARLS OF THE WITOKRZYSKIE REGION

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The PieprzoweMountainsand the Queen Jadwigas Ravine The Pieprzowe Mountainsbeing as old as around 500 mil-lion years owe their name to thecolour of their rocks(pieprzowe meaning of pep-per in Polish). The so-calledargillaceous schist oxidisedunder the influence of atmos-pheric conditions and thencrumbled to resemble pepper.Now they constitute a uniqueon the European scale geology and nature reserve dominatedby wild rose and junipers withtheir navy-blue berries. A beau-tiful view over the Vistula Valley and the Old Market located onthe escarpment stretches fromthe reserve. The other preciousmonument of nature inSandomierz is a deep loessravine locally as deep as 10 mand as long as 400 m. This is the

place where the Queen Jadwiga,born around 1374, used to strollalong while visiting Sando-mierz.

Cruising the Vistula A cruise by boat on the Vistula River will provide each tourist with unforget-table emotions and views. During the race you can admire the enchanting panorama of the city of Sandomierz located on a high escarpment. You willhave unforgettable memories, if you take a 2-hour Sunset Cruise with a stopin an excellent beauty spot, where you can sit by bonfire or have a barbecue. Additionally, you will have a direct contact with nature and shore views, if yotake an all-day-long rafting in the Vistula gorge from Sandomierz to Baranwor Annopol with a guide telling you about the history of the region.

Tourist Information Office Polish Tourist Country Lovers Society (PTTK) Sandomierz Division ul. Rynek 12, 27-600 Sandomierz Phone (+4815) 832 23 05 Phone/fax. (+4815) 832 26 82 www.pttk-sandomierz.pl

Sandomierz The medieval city of Sandomierz, located onseven hills, belongs to the most beautiful andoldest cities in Poland. Over 120 monuments

of architecture dating back to various periodshave been preserved there. Among thehighest grade listed monuments there isa medieval layout of the city with itsRenaissance-style town hall in the old market centre and St. Jamess church being one of the oldest brickstone edifices in Poland. There are historical monuments whichremember the times of the king Casmir theGreat (in the 14th century), namely the RoyalCastle now housing the exhibitions of theRegional Museum, the Opatowska Gatebeing the only well-preserved gate found inthe fortified system of defence walls anda 14th century cathedral with its interior dec-orated with precious Byzantine and Russian

frescoes. The late Renaissance CollegiumGostomianum dating back to the 17th centu-ry has for over 400 years housed one of the oldest schools in Poland. Jan Dugoszs House constituting a well-preserved example of a Gothic dwelling ha seat of the Diocesan Museum with its rich collections. Tourists may also take a stroll in the 470-metre Underground Tourist Route. On warm and sunny dadmire knight tournaments, courtly dances and Live Chess tournaments held in the old market and the tenement house of the Olenicki Family. Each year ning of July the city holds the International Knight Tournament for the Sword of Zawisza Czarny.

Tourist Information Office Polish Tourist Country Lovers Society (PTTK) Sandomierz Division ul. Rynek 12, 27-600 Sandomierz, phone (+4815) 832 23 05, phone/fax. (+4815) 832 26 82, www.pttk-sandomierz.plCity Office in Sandomierz Plac Poniatowskiego 3, 27-600 Sandomierz, phone (+4815) 644 01 00, fax. (+4815) 644 01 01, www.sandomierz.pl

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KrzytoprCastleKrzytopr Castle erected by Wawrzyniec Senes in the years 16311644 inUjazd had been the largest castle in Europe until the Versaille castle was built.Krzysztof Ossoliski, the voivode of Sandomierz and a founder of thepalazzo in fortezza a palace in the fortress wanted to impress his con-temporaries. Therefore he erected the monumental complex of palaces built in a pentagon bastion fortress modelling on a calendar. The castle had as many windows as there are days in a year, as many chambers as there are weeks, asmany rooms as there are months and as many towers as there are seasons of the year. Horses in stables had marble troughs and looked at themselves incrystal mirrors. In one of the rooms an aquarium with exotic fish functionedas a ceiling. Ossoliski spent the amount of 3 million Polish zlotys on the cas-tle with its cubic capacity of 70 000 m3 and covering the area of 1.3 hectares.Presently Krzytopr Castle ruins enchant with their beauty and magnitudeand they once again start to live during numerous tournaments and knight fight shows held there.

Krzytopr Castle in Ujazd Iwaniska commune, phone (+4815) 860 11 33Open: from 8.00 till duskwww.krzyztopor.pl

ChcinyChciny is a town locatedrelatively close to Kielceon the route Warszawa Krakw. The town underwent development owing to its deposits of preciousmetals such as lead, silveror copper. The picturesque panoramadominated by a Gothiccastle sparing over thetown and erected around1300 on a high mountainreferred to as ZamkowaMountain. There you canmeet the ghost of the

Queen Bona or watch one of a large number of knight tournaments held ithe castle. The historic town also has a lot of other monuments of architecture. It i worth visiting, among others, an early Baroque cloister of the BenedictiSisters, a church and monastery of the Franciscans founded by the kinCasmir the Great in 1368, a parish church erected in the first half of the 14century as well as a Renaissance-style former inn building referred to Niemczwka.It is worth noting that Chciny used to be a town inhabited by people o Jewish origin, which was reflected in a late-Renaissance synagogue erectethe first half of the 17th century and a Jewish cemetery.

Chciny Commune and City Office Plac 2-go Czerwca 4, 26-060 Chciny phone (+4841) 315 10 06 www.checiny.com

Krzemionkinear OstrowiecwitokrzyskiIn the archaeological re-serve area of about 350 hayou can admire a well-pre-served mining landscape,namely mine slag heapsand mineshaft wells as wellas excellently reconstruct-ed architecture of theunderground dating back to 5 or 4 thousand yearsago. Owing to its 500-metre underground tourist

route, tourists and visitors may follow almost all techniques of extracting flint stone and see world unique chamber mines. At present, apart from the well-preserved complex of mines, tourists can also find there a reconstructed mine-shaft camp and Neolithic village with its cottages belonging to people of fun-nel cup and globular amphora cultures. It is also a place where interesting museum courses are organised.

Reserve and Archaeological Museum in Krzemionki Krzemionki near Ostrowiec w., 27-400 Ostrowiec witokrzyski Phone (+4841) 262 09 78; fax (+4841) 265 36 51Open: VIX Mon. Fri. 9.0018.00, Sat. 9.0017.00, Sun. 11.00 17.00; IV and X Mon.- Sat. 9.00 16.00, Sun.11.0016.00, XIIII Mon. Sat. 9.0015.00, Sun 11.0015.00www.krzemionki.pl

The Batowski Jurassic Park A visit to the only JurassicPark in Poland will give youa unique opportunity to seeand admire natural-sizeprehistoric reptiles. In thearea of approximately 3 hectares in the village of Batw near Ostrowiecwitokrzyski you will find over 40 dinosaur models. A diplodocus being largest of them is almost 11 m tall and 26 m long. It is easier to explore tpark owing to its especially marked and described route bringing us closerall geological periods ranging from Cambrian to Neolithic periods. In thmuseum visitors may admire fossils dating back to the above periods. Thyoungest may play in a playground where, apart from various attractions, th will have an opportunity to dig out a skeleton of a tyrannosaur as long as seeral meters and take part in geology and arts workshops. Your visit to Ba will be even more attractive, if you go rafting down the Kamienna River, the offer of the Horse-riding Centre W Krainie Koni (In the Land of theHorses), see the exotic exhibition entitled Dolina gadw (The Reptil Valley) and take an opportunity to try newly-established ski-lifts in winter

The Jurassic Park in Batw 27-423 Batw 8a (12 km from Ostrowiec witokrzyski to the north directiPhone (+4841) 264 14 20, www.baltowskipark.pl Open every day 10.00-20.00 from 01.IV to 31.X Dolina gadw (The Reptile Valley of Amphibians an exotic exhibition) Batw near Jurassic Park. phone: (0048) 503 066 203 Pawe OtwinowsOpen: 9.0019.00Rafting 27-423 Batw 55, phone: (+4841) 264 12 93, www.baltow.infoOpen every day: 9.0017.00, from IV to X


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The PrzypkowskisMuseum At the town market there are two tenement houses dating back to the 18th century, which house the collection of a museum of clocks founded and run by the Przyp-kowski Family. The museum can boast of its rich and diversified collections of sundi-als, gnomon devices and various time-measuring devices such as hourglasses, fireand mechanical clocks as well as astronom-ic equipment. The collection is considered

as a third such in the world after Oxfordand Chicago collections. There are about 600 volumes and, among them, the most precious ones, namely Nicholas Coper-nicus De revolutionimbus orbiumcoelestium of 1566 and copies signed by Hevelius, Descartes and Huygens. It is worth seeing the collection of about 25 000drawings and exlibrises created from the16th to 20th centuries and the preservedinteriors of the Przypkowski Family filled with art collections.

The Przypkowskis Museum Pl. T. Kociuszki 7/8 28-300 Jdrzejw Phone (4841) 386 24 45, (4841) 386 11 56 Open: every day (except Mondays),16 IV 15 X: 8.0017.00,16 X 15 IV: 8.00 15.00

Wilica the cradleof the Polish State As old as over 1000 years the townof Wilica is one of the oldest towns in Poland. Some sources say that it was here that the duke of the Wilanie accepted Christianity therein 880. A gypsum baptismal font, which has a diameter of 4.5 m anddepth of 37 cm and was used forcollective baptism, has been pre-served up to now. The most pre-

cious monument of the townsarchitecture is, however, a Gothiccollegiate today referred to as

Minor Basilica. Owing to its sculpture of the Madonna of okietek dating backto 1300, the temple is known as a sanctuary of the Mother of God of Wilica The vaults of the collegiate contain relics of two Romanesque temples datingback to the 12th century and 13th century as well as a famous plate depicting praying figures (Pyta Orantw) dating back to 1170 and unique on thEuropean scale. As far as the historic layout of the town is concerned, it is worth seeing Jan Dugoszs House of 1460 now housing exhibitions of thRegional Museum, a Gothic belfry and numerous historic tenement houses.

Regional Museum Dugoszs House ul. Dugosza 22, 28160 Wilica Phone (+4841) 379 21 64, (0048) 508 869 366 Open: Wed. Sun. 9.0016.00www.muzeum.wislica.plThe Sanctuary of Gods Mother so-called okietkowa ul. Dugosza 26, 28160 WilicaPhone (+4841) 379 20 39 www.kielce.opoka.org.pl/dekanaty/sanktuaria/wislica.html

The Complex of Palace in KurozwkiIn the second half of the 14th cen-tury in Kurozwki they erecteda castle referred to in a document dating back to 1400 as castrumCuroswank. At the turn of next centuries the castle was rebuilt several times and given representa-tive character finally to be convert-ed at the end of the 18th century from an originally dwelling build-ing with a defensive character intoa Baroque and Classicistic resi-dence. Presently you cannot missthe castle edifice located in thecomplex of park and palace withits richly decorated five-axlefaade and galleried courtyard. It is worth visiting the interior of the Palacein Kurozwki with its dungeons and stay for a night in its stylish chambers,hothouse or annex. A unique attraction is a herd of over 80 American buf-faloes, which can be admired from the interior of safari buffalo carriage. Active leisure lovers may go horse-riding, cycling, play paint-ball or try a ropeslide. There are also knight fights, artillery and ancient dancing show organ-ised upon request.

Popielwka boarding-house Palace Complex Inc.ul. Zamkowa 3, Kurozwki, 28-200 Staszw Phone (+4815) 866 72 72, (+4815) 866 72 71 Fax. (+4815) 866 72 36 www.bizony.com

Opatw In Opatw, a town locatedalong the Amber Route, thereare a lot of precious memen-

toes of the past. The most pre-cious of them all is St. Martinscollegiate remembering theRomanesque period. You canadmire the preservedRomanesque double windows,so-called bifories and friezedecorations. It is especially worth seeing the tombs of theSzydowiecki Family with an interesting bronze relief referred to as LameOpatowski (Opatowski Pieta) placed in the left transept aisle. You will get tothe three-aisle and cross-shaped temple through a Renaissance WarszawskaGate. Not far from the church there is a town market with a squat town hall inthe middle dating back to the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. In the townhall you can descend into the 400-metre Underground Tourist Route open for visitors. On the other side of the River Opatwka it is worth visiting

a monastery of the Bernardine Fathers with its Baroque church and interest-ing Rococo sculptures.

Tourist Information Office Polish Tourist Country Lovers Society (PTTK) Opatw Division Plac Obrocw Pokoju 18, 27-500 Opatw, phone (+4815) 868 27 78 http://free.ngo.pl/pttkopatowThe Roman Catholic Church under the invocation of St. Martin ul. S. Grota Roweckiego 8, 27-500 Opatw Phone/fax (+4815) 868 27 64www.kolegiataopatow.sandomierz.opoka.org.plOpen: Sun. and holidays: 13.3016.30, week-days: 10.0017.00

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The Museum of Toys and Play The Museum of Toys and Play was established in 1979. In June 2006 it received a new seat and its name. The most precious part of its collection con-stitutes historical toys and, among them, dolls dating back to the turn of the19th and 20th centuries and its 20th century lead soldiers, a German miniaturesewing machine, an overhead projector, doll rooms, doll furniture sets as wellas foreign and Polish building blocks. The oldest exhibit of the museum isa German wax doll dating back to the end of the 18th century. The Museum also houses such interesting permanent exhibitions as A Merry Company, Tea-time, An Exhibition of Teddy Bears, In the Grandmothers Attic, An Electric Railway Toy, In the World of Automobiles, An Exhibitionof Lego Building Blocks, The witokrzyski Market Stall, My Theatre etc.

The Museum of Toys and Play Plac Wolnoci 2, 25367 Kielce Phone (+4841) 34 440 78 Phone/fax. (+4841) 34 448 19 Open: every day expect Mondays, in hours: 10.0018.00www.muzeumzabawek.kielce.pl

KarczwkaKarczwka is a picturesque hill located in the western part of the city oKielce and topped with a beautiful post-Bernardine monastery founded by thBishop Marcin Szyszkowski and dating back to the 17th century. The earbaroque church was erected in the years 1624 1628 and extended in the ye1629 1631, when a monastery with its cloisters and outbuildings were add The church vestibule has retained its foundation plaque dating back to 162 As far as the interior of the temple is concerned, it is worth seeing thSt. Barbaras Chapel with its interesting Baroque sculpture of the patron saof miners, which is placed in the altar and was made of galena ore extractnear Karczwka. The hill covered with forest is not only a landscape reserve, but an excelleobservation pint as well. Standing on the hill you can admire the panorama the city and, weather permitting, you can also see further ranges of thwitokrzyskie Mountains.

Karczwka Monastery 25-602 Kielce Phone (+4841) 345 05 38 Masses Sundays: 8.00, 10.00, 12.00, 18.00; weekdays: 8.00, 18.00

The National Museum The seat of the National Museum in Kielce is a palace, which once belongedto Cracow Bishops. The Cracow Bishops palace was founded by Jakub Zadzik in the years 16371641. The bishops palace is one of the best-preservedmonuments of architecture in Poland dating back to the times of the Wazadynasty (in the 17th century). The rooms on the first floor retained their origi-nal interiors, beam ceilings, ceilings decorated with paintings and walls deco-rated with friezes. At the back of the residence, they restored a decorativeItalian garden with quarter arrangement dating back to the 17th century. The Museum conducting its activities in the place houses the following perma-nent exhibitions: Historic Interiors of the 17th and 18th centuries; Ancient European and Polish armament, the sanctuary of the Marshal Jzef Pisudskiand the Gallery of Polish Painting and Decorative Art (with works of arts of such artists as, among others, P. Michaowski, J. Kossak, J. Brandt, J. Chemoskiand J. Malczewski).

The National Museum in Kielce Palace of Cracow Bishops Plac Zamkowy 1, 25-010 Kielce, phone: (+4841) 344 23 18, 344 40 14Open: Tue. 10.0018.00, Wed. Sun. 9.0016.00, www.muzeumkielce.net

The CathedralIn 1171 the Bishop Gedeon founded a collegiate church under the invocatioof the Assumption of the BVM located on Wzgrze Zamkowe (Castle HilIt was a Romanesque-style temple. It was rebuilt and extended several timthroughout ages to finally resemble an early Baroque three-aisle basilica.In the interiors of the Cathedral it is worth seeing the Gothic triptych depicing a crowning ceremony of the Mother of God and the baroque main altadesigned by Fontana. There you can also find a painting depicting the Gracious Mother of God oKielce with her Child. Tourist may also see the cathedral treasury and desceinto the underground crypt of the bishops of Kielce.

The CathedralPlac Marii Panny 325-013 Kielce Phone (+4841) 344 63 07 Open: every day in hours: 11.0013.00www.katedra.opoka.org.pl

KIELCE THE HEART OF THE REGION

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KIELCE THE HEART OF THE REGION

A Geological ParadiseKielce is considered as a city of outstanding geological qualities with its four geological reserved located on the citys area. The mostfamous of them is Kadzielnia reserve established in lieu of the for-mer quarry. Numerous fossils of corals, cephalopods, a world-unique armoured fish and brachiopods are protected there.Moreover, you can also see there interesting examples of varioustectonic, mineral and karstic phenomena, and, among them,26 caves. This remarkable place can also boast of its amphitheatrepicturesquely located among rocks.lichowice geological reserve, which was established for the pur-poses of preservation of a rock pit, represents an interesting exam-ple of Hercynian tectonic influence exerted on the witokrzyskieMountains and visible in the form of typical and strongly undulat-ing lime rocks. You can see there an interesting geological profile with its reversed fold of rock.In Wietrznia reserve found in the eastern edge of theKadzielniaskie Range you can see Upper Devonian limestone withbanks of variable thickness containing the remains of fauna of bra-chiopods, corals, snails, bivalves, trylobites, lilies and armoured fish.Biesak-Biaogon, a reserve surrounded by forest and the smallest othe reserves found in the city of Kielce, is also worth seeing owing to its protected Ordovician and Cambrian outcrops reflecting a lot of interesting tectonic phenomena.

The Kielce Geoparkul. Szymanowskiego 6 25-361 Kielce Phone (+4841) 367 66 54

www.geopark-kielce.pl

Kielce by night Those who like eat and stay out in the evening and night, are invited to visit numerous cafes with their unique atmosphere as well as pubs, discos, restau-rants, philharmonics, theatres or cinemas. Regardless of their liking and tastes,

everyone will find there something for themselves. You can listen to goodmusic and dance in the company of friends or try a rich offer of restaurantsserving Polish and world cuisine, watch an interesting film or go to a concert on the witokrzyska Philharmonic. All these places are charming and they permanently encourage their guests tojoin and have a good time together.

City Tourist Information Office Plac Niepodlegoci 1 (railway station, first floor )25-506 Kielce Phone/fax. (+4841) 345 86 81, 367 64 36 www.um.kielce.pl/turystyka

The Kielce Culture Centre The Kielce Culture Centre is an institution which has for years been a part ofthe artistic landscape of the witokrzyskie Voivodeship and has so far held lot of spectacular concerts, operas, musicals and theatre plays. Its wide reper

toire covers both classical as well as contemporary plays played by outstandinPolish and foreign artists. The Kielce Culture Centre has two stages, namely a big one equipped in tworotating stages and being at the same time one of the three largest stages inPoland and a small one. Additionally the facility houses such institutions as the witokrzyskaPhilharmonic, the Kielce Branch of the Polish Television, the gallery of Contemporary Art Winda and the Kielce Dance Theatre.

The Kielce Culture Centre Plac Moniuszki 2b, 25-334 Kielce Phone (+4841) 344 40 32 www.kck.com.pl

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Solec-ZdrjSolec-Zdrj spa resort is attracting more and more patients and tourists owing to its new opportunities of repose and treatment. The fact that Solec-Zhave high concentration of bivalent sulphur compounds and are highly mineralised, makes them the strongest and one of the best healing waters in Euspa resort you can heal diseases related to motor organs, circumferential and nervous systems, gynaecology, intoxication with heavy metals as well as rtraumatic orthopaedics.It is here that a new complex of hotel and sanatorium facilities referred to as Malinowy Zdrj was established. The sanatorium has one of the stronof brine. There you can try a wide offer of rejuvenating, beautifying and wellness treatments such as, among others, pearl baths, rejuvenation capsule, mmassages, colour therapy, algae and sea salt therapy as well as numerous treatments improving body and face skin texture. You can also relax in Finnherbal saunas.

Busko-ZdrjBusko Zdrj is one of the best Polish health resorts with its rich sources of sulphate, iodand bromide waters. There you can heal cardiovascular, motor organ, vegetative system, detological and gynaecological diseases. The first baths in Busko, now referred to as Marcsanatorium, were established on 1 June 1836, a date considered as the beginning of activithe spa resort. The baths were designed by Henryk Marconi in the Classicist style and theysurrounded by a historical park. The bases of the spa therapy are sulphate baths and water dring. The traditional hydrotherapy is supported by the whole range of modern medical equipmand physical therapy treatments such as, among others, aquamassage, vacuum, vibrating form, cold treatment in cryogenic chambers in the temperature below 120oC, which gitremendous effects. Apart from medical treatment you can also try SPA and Wellness beautifying and rejuventreatment, which restores the harmony of spirit and mind. The wide offer of the spa resoincludes also: rejuvenation capsule, massages, baths, Dead Sea mud compresses, spray tanrelaxation treatment as part of music therapy and salt and iodine cave. It is advisable to evening suits and dresses. In the concert hall of Marconi sanatorium you can hear malmost every day. Every year significant artistic events are held there, namely the Krys Jamroz International Music Festival, the Busko Meetings with Folklore and the Summer Chopin.

Malinowy Zdrj Solec SPAul. Lena 7, 28131 Solec Zdrj Phone (+4841) 370 40 00, (+4841) 370 40 03www.malinowyzdroj.pl

BEAUTY AND HEALTH RESORTS

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Uzdrowisko Busko Zdrj S.A.ul. F. Rzewuskiego 1, 28100 Busko-Zdrj phone (+4841) 370 32 00 phone/fax (+4841) 378 41 54www.uzdrowisko-busko-zdroj.com.pl e-mail: [email protected] Wkniarz Sanatoriumul. Rokosza 1, 28100 Busko-Zdrj Reservation: phone (+4841) 378 10 16, (+4841) 378 30 41 Fax (+4841) 378 10 18 www.wlokniarz.pl, e-mail: [email protected]

21 Wojskowy Szpital Uzdrowiskowo-Rehabilitacyjnyul. F. Rzewuskiego 8, 28100 Busko-Zdrj Reservation: phone (+4841) 378 03 85; Switchboard: phone (+4841) 378 24 17Reception: phone (+4841) 378 09 00, www.21wszur.pl, e-mail: [email protected] Sanatorium Sp z o.o.ul. Rzewuskiego 9, 28100 Busko-Zdrj Phone (+4841) 378 24 91~3, phone./fax (+4841) 378 37 72 www.sanatoria.com.pl, e-mail: [email protected] Willa Zielona Sanatoriumul. 1-go Maja 39, 28100 Busko-Zdrj Phone (+4841) 370 32 73

Solec-Zdrj SPAul. 1-go Maja 1, 28131 Solec-Zdrj Phone (+4841) 377 60 17


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HISTORICAL TOWNS AND CITIES

KoskieKoskie, known since the 16th century, was connected with the family of Odrow and since the 17th century with the family of Maachowski. One of the most interesting park establishments in Poland with the so-called little gar-den architecture of the second half of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century has been preserved in the centre. One can see here theEgyptian Orangery, the Greek Temple, the House of Grandchildren, arbours,gloriettes and fencing with towers. Numerous specimens of monument trees(lindens, oaks) grow in the park; among them there is a palace complex, con-sisting of two semi-circle wings.Next to the park, in the local division of PTTK (Polish Tourist Country-Lovers Society), there is the Chamber of Memory and the Tradition of theKoskie Land, which exhibits souvenirs related to the area. It is worth visiting the late Gothic church of Saint Nicholas, built at the turn of the 15th and 16thcentury, which is situated in the market square. One can see there an interest-

ing sun-dial dating from 1621.Tourist Information Office and Chamber of Memory and Tradition of the Koskie LandPolish Tourist Country Lovers Society (PTTK) Koskie Division ul. Zamkowa 7, 26-200 Koskie, phone (+4841) 372 31 70http://konskie.pttk.plChamber of Memory and Traditions is open: Mon.-Fri. 10.0016.00

Nowy KorczynNowy Korczyn, foundedby Prince Boleslaus theBashful himself, isan excellent example of little town architecture.Its panorama is dominat-ed by two outstanding churches: the parishchurch of Nowy Kor-czyn and a formerFranciscan cloister. The parish church, built in the 16th century, owes its present look to the complete reconstruction it

underwent at the beginning of the 17th century. One can admire the beautifulmannerist western faade, the Baroque main altar, the vault embellished withstucco and the preserved part of a late Gothic triptych, depicting the Lament for Christ. The former Franciscan cloister was erected in the second half of the 13th cen-tury from the funds of Boleslaus the Bashful and his wife Kinga, and thendeveloped by Casimir the Great in the 14th century. Inside, one can see someGothic and Baroque wall-painting. Another interesting object a testimony to the times when half of the inha-bitants of Nowy Korczyn was Jewish are the ruins of Nowy Korczyn clas-sicistic synagogue from the end of the 18th century.

Nowy Korczyn Commune Office ul. Krakowska 1

28136 Nowy Korczyn Phone (+4841) 37 71 003, (+4841) 37 71 430http://nowykorczyn.pl

Piczw theSarmatian AthensPiczw the heart of Ponidzie and a townlocated on the RiverNida, was founded by the Cardinal Zygmunt Olenicki. It is the maincentre of reformationmovement in theMaopolska Region anda seat of Arian Brothers, who delivered the first and the most beautiful

translation of the Bible into Polish. The Bible is referred to as the BrzeskaBible. The local junior high school was attended by the future parish priest of Krzyanowice and Piczw and Hugo Kotaj, who was a co-author of theConstitution of May 3, 1791. It was there that the king Stefan Batorys andZygmunt III Wazas court architect ran his stonemasonry workshop. The following historical buildings are worth seeing: the complex of the Paulinemonastery buildings, the church and monastery of the Order of theReformati, a Renaissance synagogue, the Wielkopolski Family Palace, theHouse on Mirw i.e. a printing house of the Arian Brothers, meanders of theRivers Nida and the beautiful area to be admired from St. Annes Mountaintopped with a free-standing domed chapel made of local stone, so-calledpiczak, and designed by Gucci. There is also a station of the Narrow-Gauge Train Ciuchcia Express Ponidzie.

Promotion Centre of Piczw City and CommunePl. Wolnoci 22, 28-400 Piczw, phone/fax (+4841) 357 54 04www.pinczow.com.pl, e-mail: [email protected]

Szydw a Polish CarcassoneSzydw was named a Polish Carcassone many years ago because of its pefectly preserved medieval urban arrangement and town walls. Made of localimestone in the 14th century, the walls were 1080m long and 1,8m thick. Additional protection for the town and the castle, built along the southern sec-tor of the walls on the order of King Casimir the Great about 1354, was amoat, whose remains one can see today. Up to the present, one can admire theKnights Parlour, the Little Treasure House (Skarbczyk), where the RegionaMuseum has its seat, and the Krakowska Gate. North of the market square

stands a late Gothic synagogue; erected before 1564, it now houses a commu-nal culture centre.

The Regional Museum ul. Szkolna 8, 28-225 Szydw phone (+4841) 354 51 46 open: V-IX Mon.-Fri. 7.3015.30,Sat. Sun. 10.0014.00; X-IV Mon. Fri. 7.3015.30www.szydlow.pl The Communal Culture Centre a synagogue buildingul. Targowa 3, 28-225 Szydw phone (+4841) 35 45 313

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Chmielnik Chmielnik as a town is traced in some documents referring to a very dramaticmoment in the history of Poland. On March 18, 1241, during the invasion of Tartars, the Chmielnik battle, regarded as one of the major battles of the13th century Europe took place. The town history is also closely connected with the Jewish community, which is manifested in the presence of a syna-gogue, erected probably in the years 1633-34. For the last few years a big event called Meetings with the Jewish Culture has been held in Chmielnik in June. Today, tourists who visit Chmielnik can admire the 19th century Chmielnik Market Square and the tenement and townspeoples houses with their arched vaults with consoles.It is also worth paying attention to the churches: the parish church, built in theyears 17301783 and the church from the 16th century, erected on the site of a former, wooden one.

Chmielnik City and Commune Office Pl. Kocielny 5, 26-020 ChmielnikPhone/fax: (+4841) 354 32 73, (+4841) 354 22 78, (+4841) 354 21 81(+4841) 354 20 29 www.chmielnik.com

StopnicaStopnica, a small town within Busko District was one of the Royal Towns ding the reign of King Casimir the Great in the 14th century. Today, in the mar-ket square, one can see a Gothic penitential church the Parish Church oStopnica (Fara), which belongs to the Baryczka series.Built of cut stone, the Fara Church has a rectangular body with two pillars aa polygonal presbytery. There are two adjacent chapels, a late Gothic one aan early Baroque one. Inside, a particular attention should be paid to the va with some preserved, original ribs, keystones and consoles. Despite the fathat it was seriously damaged during World War II, the church retained its ooriginal look.

Stopnica Commune Office ul. Kociuszki 2 28130 Stopnica Phone (+4841) 377 98 00, (+4841) 377 98 10www.stopnica.pl

BodzentynBodzentyn, known in Central Europe for its horse markets, is one of the most frequently visited tourist places in the heart of the witokrzyskie Mountains.Founded in 1355, the town was protected by defensive walls and a castle erect-ed on a high slope by the bishop Florian of Morsk in the 14th century. King Ladislaus Jagiello spent two days there in 1410, during his pilgrimage to wity Krzy (a Benedictine abbey named the Holy Cross) before going to the battleagainst the Teutonic Knights. In the 15th century another valuable object of Bodzentyn was erected: a Gothic church, now a collegiate church, dedicated tothe Assumption of Virgin Mary and to Saint Stanislaus. The rich interiorsreveal the Bodzentyn triptych made by Marcin Czarny, a student of Wit Stwosz, at the beginning of the 16th century and a Renaissance altar, orderedfor the Wawel Cathedral by King Sigismund in 1546.It is also worth seeing the Old Croft of the Czernikiewicz family from 1897 an ethnographic point of the Kielce Village Museum, which can be found at 13, 3 Maja Street.

Bodzentyn City and Commune Office ul. Suchedniowska 3, 26-010 Bodzentyn Phone (+4841) 31 15 010, (+4841) 31 15 511, (+4841) 31 15 114www.bodzentyn.ugm.pl

Rakw The town of Rakw was founded by the arnw castellan, Jan Sienieski, wh was a Calvinist. He granted numerous privileges to the inhabitants and allowreligious freedom.Owing to that fact, tradesmen and doctors began pouring in and noblemenstarted building their residencies there. Also, the most prominent representtives of the Arian thought, the so-called Polish Brethren, arrived at Rakw, athe Rakowska Academy, gathering some eminent personalities from the woof science, was established. Today, one can only admire some traces of the former splendour of the tow the Holy Trinity church, built on the site of a former Arian chapel; a smastone building from the 17th century, which was the dwelling-place of the min-ister of the Polish Brethrens Community; the Saint Annes church, whicbelonged to the Order of the Reformati, dating from 1641; and some housefrom Arian times.

Rakw Commune Office ul. Ogrodowa 1, 26-035 Rakw, phone/fax (+4841) 353 50 18, www.rakow.plThe Society of Friends of the Rakowska Land ul. Sienieskiego 6, 26-035 Rakw, phone/fax. (+4841) 353 51 54, www.tpzr.ra

HISTORICAL TOWNS AND CITIES

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Nagowice Mikoaj RejMikoaj Rej, the author of the famous words: And let other nations know that the Poles are not geese; they have their own language is called the father of Polish literature because he was the first to write in Polish only. In Nagowice, where he lived, in a mansion dating from 1800, there is a special memory chamber devoted to him. It shows the writers connections with the town as well as the importance of his work both for the literature and the whole Polishculture.In an old, English-style park surrounding the mansion, one can see some venrable oaks, which remember the times of the writer. Tourists who come to Nagowice can find accommodation in the old interiorsof the mansion.

The Manor-House of Mikoaj Rej ul. Kacpra Walewskiego 7 28-362 Nagowice Phone (+4841) 381 45 70, (4841) 381 49 21www.naglowice.glt.pl Open: Mon. Sat. 8.0016.00, Sun. and holidays (1 V 30 IX) 9.0017.00

Bodzechw Witold Gombrowicz Witold Gombrowicz a novelist, a playwright and an essayist was born inMaoszyce, near Opatw. In Bodzechw he spent the period when his father was a director of the iron works.Some observations made at that time by the writer, who was brought up in theatmosphere of a gentrys manor house, exerted a tremendous influence onhis literary work. Many literary depictions in Pornography, Ferdydurke oThe Marriage directly recall mielw, Brzstowa, Grocholice, Ostrowiecwitokrzyski, Ruda (now Ruda Kocielna) or the mentioned Bodzechw. It ithere that the Witold Gombrowicz Museum has its temporary seat. In thefuture it is to be transferred to Doy Biskupie, where Gombrowiczs father raa cardboard factory Witulin.In June, the so-called Gombrowicz Picnic is held in Doy Biskupie. Durinthat time some theatrical plays are presented, and film shows, exhibitions andother outdoor events take place. There is a green, cycling route which joins together all the sites related to the writers childhood and adolescence.

The Museum of Witold Gombrowicz ul. Fabryczna 1, 27-420 Bodzechw Contact The Witold Gombrowicz Foundation -Witulin Phone (0048) 501 095 513 (chairmen Wodzimierz Szczauba)

Kielce Stefan eromskiStefan eromski the writer, was particularly connected with the Kielceregion. He was born in Strawczyn, near Kielce, spent his childhood in Ciekotylived in Kielce and studied at the local grammar-school. Today, the buildinghouses the Museum of Stefan eromskis School Years, which exhibits somefamily souvenirs, items connected with school and studying, pictures of the writers family members, friends and sweethearts as well as the first editions ohis works. The witokrzyskie Land is present in nearly all works of Stefan eromski.Many of them are set in Kielce. One can find some descriptions of the locallandscape and the town itself in The Labours of Sysiphus, A Story of Sin,Homeless People and The Fir Forest.

The Museum of Stefan eromski School Years in Kielce(Section of the National Museum in Kielce)ul. Jana Pawa II 5 25-013 Kielce Phone/fax (+4841) 344 57 92 www.muzeumkielce.netOpen: Tue., Thur., Fri., Sun.. 9.0015.30, Wed. 11.0017.30

Oblgorek Henryk SienkiewiczIn Oblgorek, nearStrawczyn, there isan estate of a PolishNoble Prize Winner,Henryk Sienkiewicz, which the writerreceived as a gift fromthe society on theoccasion of the com-pletion of his twenty-five-year-long periodof literary work. At present, the mansionhouses the Museum

devoted to his life and work. It faithfully shows the arrangement of rooms andthe furnishings from the time when the place was inhabited by the Sienkiewiczfamily. The biographic and literary exhibition provides plenty of information about the writer and his non-literary activity and travels. One can find there somemost valuable souvenirs: albums, addresses, documents and letters sent to thecelebrator of the jubilee in acknowledgement, appreciation and admiration forhis talent.

The Museum of Henryk Sienkiewicz in Oblgorek(section of the National Museum in Kielce), 26-067 Strawczyn,Phone (+4841) 303 04 26, fax (+4841) 303 04 26 ext. 21www.muzeumkielce.net Open: except holidays on Wed.Sat. 10.0016.00 (XIIV); Tue. Sat. 10.0016.00 (VX)

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The Museumof NatureandTechnology The Museum of Nature and Tech-nology is an excep-tional place becauseof the variety of itsexhibits. Its most valuable item is theBlast Furnace Assem-bly of the first half of the 19th century and

the beginning of the 20th century. It is also the best preserved complex of fer-rous metallurgy plants in Europe. In the museum, one can see an ancient, ironand steel, industrial settlement with a primitive, smelting furnace; old vehiclesonce produced by Zakady Starachowickie and petrified footprints of dinosaurs.Schoolchildren can enjoy lessons divided into three thematic categories:From a Primitive, Smelting Furnace to the Blast Furnace, The Town of Star and Bofors and Tracking the witokrzyskie Dinosaurs, which areorganized there.For the last few years, on the premises of the preserved complex of the fer-rous metallurgy plants, various events have been held. The most popular onesare The Iron Roots and The Fair at Starzechs

The Nature and Technology Museum Ecomuseum of Jan Pazdur ul. Wielkopiecowa 1, 27-200 Starachowice Phone/fax (+4841) 275 40 83www.ekomuzeum.pl Open: IV X Tue.- Fri. 9.00 17.30, Sat. Sun. 14.00 18.00, XI III Tue. Fri. 9.00 15.30, Sat. Sun. 12.00 16.00

A Mechanical Forge in Stara KunicaIn Stara Kunica on the Mynkowska River, there is a unique in Poland, pserved in its original form, historical forge with a water system from the 18century. Inside, one can see a huge forging hammer hitting a huge anvil aspeed of almost 60 blows a minute, some wooden box-bellows, manual scsors for cutting steel sheets, a furnace and some other smiths tools. Next tthe wooden building of the forge, there is an installation which dams up th water and puts the hammer in motion. It includes some gates and a woodechannel which deliver water to a water-wheel. Today, the forge is only a muum object.

Mechanical Forge in Stara Kunica

Stara Kunica 46, 26-205 Niewi Monument available to tourists thanks to Mr Niewgowski living close to it Open every day except Mondays

A Historical Metallurgical Plant in Maleniec Twenty-four kilometres west of Koskie, in Maleniec, on the Czarna River,there is an over two hundred-year-old complex of rolling mills and nailing plants. This historical stock of machinery, set in the natural countryside land-scape, dates back to 1784. At that time it included some rolling mills and11 small and 4 big nailing machines for the production of nails cut from steelsheets. Due to the modernisation which took place at the end of the 19th cen-tury, the plant was equipped with other machines for manufacturing spadesand shovels. The most interesting items, perfectly preserved up to the present, are: the pro-duction cycle of rolling steel sheets and manufacturing household tools, thehouses of the rolling mill, the nailing plant and the spade manufacturing plant from 1839 as well as some unique machines. A special technological and tourist festival Kunice Koneckie, where one cansee all the historical machines and equipment running, is held every July.

Historical Metallurgical Plant in Maleniec Maleniec 54, 26-242 Ruda Maleniecka, phone (+4841) 373 11 42 Open: every day till dusk

The Museum of Staropolskie ZagbiePrzemysowe (the Old Polish Industrial Region)Sielpia, situated on the Czarna Konecka River, near a lake of about 150 acris the biggest holiday resort in the witokrzyskie Region. In the 19th century,however, the place was well known for the fact that one of the biggest indutrial plants of the Old Polish Region operated there. Nowadays, the old buil

ings of the rolling mill and the puddling mill (a plant converting pig iron inmalleable steel) house the Museum of the Old Polish Industrial Region. The most valuable exhibits include a huge, metal drive wheel of 8m diameand some unique machines and equipment such as lathes, planning machinpresses or one hundred and fifty-year-old machine tools. Also, a water inta(dykes, sluices, and channels), production halls, wood dryers, a gate-house aan old settlement have remained there.

The Museum of Old Polish Industrial Region Sielpia 33, 26-200 Koskie Phone (+4841) 372 02 93Open: Tue. Sun. 9.0012.00 and 13.0017.00


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A Rolling Mill in Nietulisko Due The ruins of a rolling mill for fine rolled sections and steel sheets in NietuliskoDue are the remains of a plant which was the last chain of the so-calledStarachowice industrial complex. Built in the years 183446, the plant wasa carefully laid out urban establishment with a factory settlement and a watersystem. It included a rolling mill, two dryers, a storehouse, a shed, a stable,an administrative building, some scales and 36 houses for the workers and man-agement staff. Today, the rolling mill is an important monument of technology, whose greatest value is the completely preserved, historical water system.

Kunw City and Commune Office ul. Warszawska 45B, 27-415 Kunw Phone./fax. (+4841) 261 31 74, (+4841) 261 13 62www.kunow.pl

A Metallurgical Furnace in KuniakiDriving from Ruda Strawczyska to Mniw, it is worth taking a break andstopping at Kuniaki in order to see a huge metallurgical furnace, very inte-resting as regards the architecture, which once belonged to a steel mill calledJadwiga. Resembling a cut pyramid, the furnace was used from 1782 to 1897producing up to 1000 t of pig iron at the peak.Pig iron was used for manufacturing railings, grids, crosses, pipes and sheets. Apart from the ruins of the big furnace, an old water intake (a dyke, a pondand a sluice), an about 100m long, underground, vaulted channel and heaps ofslag in front of its mouth have remained up to the present.

Strawczyn Commune Office ul. eromskiego 16, 26-067 Strawczyn Phone (+4841) 30 38 002, fax. (+4841) 30 38 157 www.strawczyn.itech.pl

The Ruinsof a BlastFurnace Plantin Samsonw A blast furnace plant calledJosephs Still Mill, whoseruins one can admire up tothe present, was built in theyears 18181822 owing tothe efforts of Stanisaw Staszic.It was set up on the site of the first blast furnace of Bergamo type from 1598, which was rebuilt in theyears 1641-44. The mo-dernized steel mill was ableto produce about 800 tonsof steel a year. Unfor-

tunately, the plant wasnever reconstructed afterthe fire in 1866. Today, the remains of the

steel mill resemble a classicist palace establishment dominated by the head-frame and the round blast furnace.

Zagnask Commune Office ul. Spacerowa 8, 26-050 ZagnaskPhone (+4841) 300 13 22, fax. (+4841) 300 13 73www.zagnansk.pl

A Retaining Wall in Bobrza The first blast furnace on the Polish land was located in Bobrza, a small placein Kielce District, in the 17th century. In 1824, at the distance of about 1 km,a new blast furnace plant was situated at the foot of a high slope. It was thenthat huge retaining walls were erected. They were 500m long and 5m thick, an

in some places their height reached 15m. Some ore storehouses, coal stores,ore roasting furnaces, a settlement and a water system were set up on thepremises of the factory. The further development of the place was stopped by a flood and the outbreak of the November Uprising. Today, one can admirethe remains of the blast furnace plant, the settlement and the mentionedretaining wall.

Miedziana Gra Commune Office ul. Urzdnicza 18, 26-085 Miedziana Gra Phone (+4841) 303 16 26, fax. (+4841) 303 16 05 www.miedziana-gora.pl

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St Joseph Collegiate Church in Klimontw In picturesquely situated Klimontw there is a beautiful baroque CollegiateChurch of chancellor Jerzy Ossoliskis Foundation, which was built in16431650. It is one of the most original and beautiful buildings erected on anelliptic plan according to an Italian architect Lawrence Seness design referring to the architecture of Santa Maria della Salute church in Venice.Inside the temple stucco made before 1647 by John the Baptist Falconi, early-baroque portals, rococo polychrome on the walls and the porch vaults, therococo chancel and organ as well as four altars deserve attention. An interesting church and post-Dominican monastery (16131623) of the JanZbigniew Ossoliskis Foundation as well as the classical synagogue from 1851are also worth seeing in the town.

Klimontw Commune Office ul. Zysmana 1, 27- 640 Klimontw Phone (+4815) 866 11 00, (+4815) 866 10 06 www.klimontow.ugm.pl

TheSanctuaryof Motherof Sorrowsin Kakw--Godw The sanctuary, whichconstitutes an impor-tant centre of Marian veneration, was built in the 1980s owing topriest custodian Cze-saw Walas great willand driving force as well as the local inha-bitants work. Withinits framework a largecomplex of sacred

buildings came into existence, among which witokrzyska Via Dolorosa 33-metre building- the Pantheon of the Polish Nation martyrdom, a parischurch with the famous for divine grace painting of Mother of SorrowStations, A Way to Bethlehem, Rosary Chapels, Pieta Chapel, John Paul IHouse, The Pilgrims House and witokrzyska Panorama- the mobiMystery of Christs Passion stand out.In addition to this, a workshop of occupational therapy functions dynamicaly in the area of the sanctuary.

The Sanctuary of Mother of Sorrows, Queen of Polandthe Mother of the witokrzyski Region Kakw-Godw 84a, Paww Information available in the Pilgrim House, phone (+4841) 272 18 88

GoldenForestHermitagein RytwianyIn 1624 in the vicini-ty of Rytwiany townEremus Silvae Au-rele-Golden Forest Hermitage was built for the Camaldoleseorder of Monte Co-

rona congregation. At the time the Annunciation Church, monastic build-ings, outbuildings and eremitorium, a complex of hermit houses came intoexistence. To this day arriving tourists may admire the church with baroqueequipment, a part of one-storey monastic buildings with the so-called Tczyskis isolated monastery (the only preserved hermit house) and a part of outbildings, where the monastic kitchen, foresteria and the pharmacy were located. Since 2001 Centre of Culture and Education rdo(Source) has been taking care of the monastic complex. The Centre is

planning to rebuild the ancient eremitorium (16 hermit houses), to recon-struct the garden and to build tourist-recreational facilities, in which thetourist will be transported to the enclave of silence and peace in order toregenerate ones psychophysical strength.

Golden Forest HermitageKlasztor 1, 28-236 Rytwiany Phone (+4815) 864 77 95 www.pustelnia.sandomierz.opoka.org.pl

St John theBaptistsChurch inZawichostZawichost is a royaltown situated on theearly medieval Ruthe-nian route from West Europe to the East andlocated by a historical Vistula crossing. To thisday one may admire St John the Baptists post-Franciscan Church, where originally the

Order of Franciscan Poor Clares resided, which was erected in 1244125 The temple founded by the duke Bolesaw the Shy together with tmonastery constituted dowry for his sister duchess Salomea, who joined tOrder of Franciscan Poor Clares and settled in Zawichost. It was the firs

Order of Franciscan Poor Clares in Poland. Nowadays, the church is a spledid example of early Gothic architecture, to which two chapels were added17th and 18th centuries. The church dedicated to the Assumption which waserected in the 18th century in place of a twelfth-century temple is also worthnoting. The remains of ancient walls are to this day visible in the vaults aa superb view over the Vistula stretches from the rear of the church.

Zawichost City and Commune Office ul. St. eromskiego 50, 27-630 Zawichost Phone (+4815) 836 41 15, fax. (+4815) 836 40 51www.zawichost.pl

IN QUEST FOR SOLACE

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IN QUEST FOR SOLACE

CistercianMonasteryin Jdrzejw In 1149 monks fromthe French Cistercian Abbey of Morimond inBurgundy came to thecurrent Jdrzejw andbuilt there the first at that time on Polishlands Cistercian mona-stery. The Abbey, whichis situated near the roadfor Katowice, consistsof a three-nave basilica with a transept andmonastic buildings,among which only three

wings have survived to this day. In the interior of the temple the late-Romanesque corbels in the southern chapels deserve attention. It is worthremembering that blessed Wincenty Kadubek polish chronicler, whoresigned from the rank of bishop in order to join an order spent the last yearsof his life there. Kadubeks sepulchral altar with the silvered coffin with hisholy relics is placed in one of the chapels. Every year in August and Septemberthe International Organ Festival is organized in the monastery.

Sanctuary of the Blessed Wincenty Kadubekul. Klasztorna 10, 28-300 Jdrzejw,

phone (+4841) 386 23 08 www.kielce.opoka.org.pl/dekanaty/sanktuaria/jedrzejow.html

SamborzecIn the town of Samborzec, ona hill there is a church built inbrick which was erected aroundthe half of the 13th century by Lord Pawe Samborzecki.Dugosz himself finds thechurch in Samborzec ancient and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The temple which wasreconstructed after the damagecaused by wars against Swedenand then many times extendedhas a lot of baroque features

with Romanesque remains. While in Samborzec, it is worth becoming familia with the history of the town and its vicinity, which dates back to the 5,000 BC The oldest remains of settlement date from that period. Graves in the shapeof small mounds are the remains of the final years of the prehistorical age.Currently, one may find them between the towns of Zota and Malice(,,Mogia Kwacaa mound) and in the town of Gorzyczany (,,Kocomound). The remains of the town of Zota culture in Zota and Samborzec dating frothe period around 4,000 BC, a burial mound from the Bronze Age, loessravines in Chobrzany, Gorzyczany and Samborzec, a baroque corner annexemanor house and a church with polychrome from the 14th century in Skotnikiare also worth seeing.In the first decade of May the Holiday of the Apple Blossom (a folk event) isheld in Samborzec.

Samborzec Commune Office Samborzec 43, 27-650 Samborzec phone (+4815) 831 44 43, (+4815) 831 44 67 www.powiat.sandomierz.pl/samborzec

Cistercian Monasteryin Wchock Wchock,a small town near Starachowice,is famous not only for jokes, but most of all for the Cistercians, who were brought there in 1179 from the BurgundianMorimond Abbey by the bishop of Cracow Gedeon Gryfita. In 12181239brother Simons Italian Cistercian workshop built there a stone abbey mo-delled on Tuscan architecture. To this day the original Romanesque layout of the monastic complex has survived. Later on the monastic complex was converted many times. Arriving devotees of sacred architecture may admire therea late-Romanesque monastic church built on a Latin cruciform plan from two-colour stone blocks, a monastery with perfectly preserved Romanesque inte-riors and with a very beautiful room for meetings of monks constituting thePolish Cistercians masterwork of unique value. There is a sepulchral crypt,a place of rest of the ashes of Major Jan Piwnik ,,Ponury- the legendary com-mander of witokrzyskie Gatherings of the Home Army in the cloisters. Inthe monastic building near the monastery gate there is a Museum of CistercianFathers based on a unique collection of mementoes from the period of national uprisings gathered by priest lieutenant-colonel Walenty lusarczyk. The Cistercian Abbey Complex in Wchock is one of the most important cen-tres of European cultural routes (the Cistercian Route and the RomanesqueRoute).

Cistercians Fathers Museum Monastery in Wchockul. Kocielna 14, 27-215 Wchock phone (+4841) 271 50 66 Open: V-X on week-days, 9.0012.00, 13.3017.15, 18.00-20.00,On Sun. and holidays 14.3017.15; XIIV on week-days 13.3017.15, on Sun. and holidays 14.3017.15

Koprzywnica-Romanesque relicsKoprzywnica, which is located inthe Koprzywianka river valley,has become famous owing toresiding there once Cistercians. Their abbey funded in the first half of the 13th century by Mikoaj Bogoria was thoroughly converted in the 18th century. TheRomanesque temple which wasbuilt from stone blocks hasa superstructure of brick Gothicgables. During the baroque pe-riod the sacristy, the westernfacade with the porch and the lit-tle bell tower were added. The visible in the whole church crossand ribbed vault and Gothicpaintings look striking. In themonasic part it is theRomanesque room for meetingsof the monks with the cross andribbed vault that deserves specialattention.

St. Florian atholic Parishul. Krakowska 2 27-600 Koprzywnica Phone (+4815) 847 62 02

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P i l i c

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M O P O L S K I E

D Z K I E

L SKIE

Wolbrom

Skaa

d

owc

Krakw

M A O P O L S K I E

D Z K I E

L S K I E

Wolbrom

Skaa

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K a t o w

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( 1 7 0 k m )

Krakw (120 km)

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E77

7

7

7

74

78

42 42

Miechw

J drzejw

Woszczowa

Koskie

Kaziazi

Miechw

Jdrzejw

Woszczowa

Koskie

Kazi

MaogoszczMaogoszcz

PiPi

MichawMichaw

ImielnoImielnoS dziszwSdziszw

WodzisawWodzisaw

Dziao

Skalbmierz

Somniki

Dziao

Skalbmierz

Somniki

FakwFakw

GowarczwGowarczw

RadoszyceRadoszyce

Ruda MalenieckaRuda Maleniecka

KluczewskoKluczewsko

KrasocinKrasocin

Przedbrz

opuszno

Przedbrz

opuszno

SupiaSupiaSmykwSmykw

PiekoszwPiekoszw

MoskorzewMoskorzew

RadkwRadkw

SeceminSecemin

NagowiceNagowice

OksaOksa

SupiaSupia

SzczekocinySzczekociny

Obl gOblg

StrawczynStrawczyn

Ch cinChcin

TokarkarTokar

SulejwSulejw

MaleniecMaleniec

JaskiniaaskiniaJaskinia

BBuniakiKuniaki

SielpiaielpiaSielpia

MoMoK

Kr

Przedborski Park Krajobrazowy

Chcisko-KieleckiPark Krajobrazowy

Map of the wi tokrzyskie

Voivodship


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W i s ada

witokrzyskiPark NarodowywitokrzyskiPark Narodowy

M Z O W I E K I E

P O D K R P K I E

LU

LSKI

Warszawa

Tarnw

M A Z O W I E C K I E

P O D K A R P A C K I E

L U

BE L S KI E

Warszawa (180 km)

Tarnw (120 km)

Zborwek

E77

E77

7

7

74

74 74

74

73

73

9

9

9

77

79

79

79

79

79

79

2

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KIELCEKIELCE

StaszwTarnobrzeg

Skarysko-Kamienna

Opatw

rza Wrza Wielka

Starachowice

StaszwTarnobrzeg

Skarysko-Kamienna

Opatw

rza Wielka

Starachowice

Ostrowiec wi tokrzyskiOstrowiec witokrzyski

Busko-ZdrjBusko-Zdrj

SandomierzSandomierz

SzydowiecSzydowiec

ww

MielecMielec

GnojnoGnojno

ZotaZota

PierzchnicaPierzchnicaRakw

cece

Chmielnik

Rakw

ce

Chmielnik

DaleszyceDaleszyce

BliynBliyntporkw

Suchedniw

Stporkw

Suchedniw

ZagnaskZagnaskkk

BakowiceBakowice

WaniwWaniw

ubniceubnice

OlenicaOlenica

SzydwSzydw

Solec-ZdrjSolec-Zdrj

Tucz pyTuczpy

BejsceBejsce OpatowiecpatowiecOpatowiec

agw

Stopnica

agw

Stopnica

Nowa SupiaNowa Supia

IwaniskaIwaniska

WilicaWilica

Nowy KorczynNowy Korczyn

RytwianyRytwiany

KunwKunw

BogoriaBogoria

rnocinrnocin

WojciechowiceWojciechowice

ObrazwObrazw

WilczyceWilczyce

cznaczna

MaswMaswMiedziana GraMiedziana Gra

MniwMniw

bkwbkw

Bodzentyn

Morawica

Bodzentyn

Morawica

Sitkwka-NowinySitkwka-Nowiny

WchockWchock

KijeKije

LipnikLipnik

mielwmielwSadowieSadowie

BodzechwBodzechw

SamborzecSamborzec

Skarysko-KocielneSkarysko-Kocielne

BatwBatw

DwikozyDwikozy

oniwoniw

ZawichostZawichost

BrodyBrody

MirzecMirzec

Oarw

LipskoIa

Przysucha

Nowa D ba

Osiek

BaranwSandomierski

Poaniec

Oarw

LipskoIa

Przysucha

Nowa Dba

Osiek

BaranwSandomierski

Poaniec

PawwPaww

Klimontw

Koprzywnica

Klimontw

Koprzywnica

NiekaNieka

TarwTarw

SkaryszewSkaryszew

GrnoGrno

PacanwPacanw

wi ty Krzywity Krzy

Kurozw kiKurozwki

KrzemionkiKrzemionki

UjazdUjazd

SamsonwSamsonwzazaza

Nietulisko DueNietulisko Due

kaka

Stara KunicaStara Kunica

Kakw-GodwKakw-Godw

ChaczaChacza

ChaupkiChaupki

OrzechwkaOrzechwka

wy Mawy Maewy Mae

Sieradowicki Park Krajobrazowy Suchedniowsko-Oblgorski

Park Krajobrazowy

SzanieckiPark

Krajobrazowy

NadnidziaskiPark Krajobrazowy

owskiark azowy

Jeleniowski Park Krajobrazowy

Cisowsko-OrowiskiPark Krajobrazowy


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Air sports Piczw and Masw Airports in Masw and Piczw prepare attractive offers for those who arecourageous, eager for taking risk and for feeling adrenaline in their veins and,of course, posses appropriate licenses. Lovers of cloud-kissing journeys may take an opportunity of flying by glider, hang-glider or motor hang-glider, may jump with a parachute or take part in one of numerous trainings organised by the Aero Clubs. Those who participate in the type of leisure activity will havean opportunity to admire the very characteristic landscape elements of thewitokrzyskie Province: the picturesquely meandering Nida River, eminent summits of the witokrzyskie Mountains and colourful stripes of fields.Unforgettable experiences and indescribable views may be taken for granted.

Kielce Aeroclub Airfield in Masw 26-001 Masw Phone (+4841) 311 08 93, fax. (+4841) 311 07 06 www.aeroklub.kielce.pl

Piczw Aeroclub ul. Legionistw 26, 28-400 Piczw Phone (0048) 501 383 275 director Leszek Makowski

Canoeing rallies on Ponidzie Taking part in a canoeing rally on the Nida River, that is meandering throuthe picturesque and quiet Ponidzie Region, is one of the ways to discovrecesses of the Region. Canoeing down the river we may admire the landscathat charms us with its beauty and dissimilarity and gives us unforgettable fings and remembrances. A tourist that is looking for some leisure activity well as some rest in the open air, surely will not be disappointed. A lot of suport in organizing canoeing rallies is offered by the Municipal Centre of Spand Recreation in Piczw and by Kajakiem.pl Tourist Company from Jdrzejw. They propose not only ready offers of canoeing rallies but alrenting kayaks, luggage transport and help of qualified guides.

Travel Agency KAJAKIEM.PL Anita Grecka ul. Rakowska 29, 28-300 JdrzejwPhone/fax. (+4841) 386 30 74, (0048) 600 288 375 www.kajakiem.pl The City Centre of Sport and Recreation ul. Paki 26, 28-400 Piczw Phone/fax. (+4841) 357 28 11, (+4841) 357 20 44, (0048) 600 821 095

The eXtreme Marathon in Sielpia The eXtreme Marathon in Sielpia, which is organized every year at the begin-ning of September, is a unique event for those who want to check if they arein shape and to spend a weekend in the atmosphere of sport competition. Theorganized contests, as race walking (from 12,5 to 50 km) or cycling (80 or200 km), entice more and more participants each year. For those who are braveenough the organizers prepare extreme cross-country jogging races of 25 or40 km and also 90 km run to go by bicycle or on foot. On the way the entrantsmeet a lot of hindrances as deep forests, swamps, streams and series of thrilling tasks to fulfil. There are also evening meetings with Mr. PiotrPustelnik, the Himalayan climber, which have turned to a kind of traditionnow.

Polish Tourist Country Lovers Society (PTTK) Koskie Division ul. Zamkowa 7, 26-200 Koskie Phone (+4841) 372 31 70http://konskie.pttk.plwww.mbank.com.pl/sielpia2005

Motor sports Miedziana Gra Racing Track The motor racing track in Miedziana Gra, near Kielce, has been functionisince 1977. It is a unique structure of this type, with a mountainous trac4160 m long. The complex, which is administrated by Automobilklub Kiele(Automobile Club of Kielce) consists of a karting track with the length o880 m, the small loop of the racing track 1140 m long, the back room oadministration and technical building, motel and Moto-raj camping. In thcourse of year there is a number of sports and agility events as well as car rlies gathering lovers of motor racing from all over the world to the provinc At the same time Automobilklub carries on some training programmes fimproving driving and life-saving techniques.Moreover there is possibility to organize sports and recreation events, traininand conferences for organized groups.

The race course in Miedziana Gra Automobilklub ul. Sowackiego 15, 25-365 Kielce, phone/fax (+4841) 361 98 55 www.automobilklub.kielce.pl

IN THE LAND OF STRONG IMPRESSIONS

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Pera Indoor Swimming PoolPera Swimming Pool typical recreation structure is an excellent place toget some rest, where everyone may find something interesting. There is a com-plex of swimming pools, Finnish sauna, biological renewal cabinet and caf. The biggest attraction of the swimming pool is a winding tunnel slide with thelength of 93 m and 1,2 m diameter. The main swimming pool is provided with underwater massages, wild springs, waterfalls and aeration plates emitting lots of air bubbles from the bottom of the pool. For children there is a pool with a small elephant-shaped chuteequipped with a smart cascade. All the year many contests, competitions, parties, charitable campaigns andshows take place there.

Pera Indoor swimming-pool ul. Kubusia Puchatka 26-052 Sitkwka Nowiny, phone (+4841) 345 96 50, (+4841) 346 52 60www.perla.maximum.pl

Rawszczyzna Indoor Swimming PoolRawszczyzna Swimming Pool, which was given for use in 2004, is one of thbiggest and most modern swimming pools in Poland. The 50-meter pool with10 lanes and grandstand for 1500 spectators fulfils all conditions and standardof FINA and so is an excellent arena for domestic and international swimmingcontests. In the recreation part of Rawszczyzna there are two smaller poolsand a number of facilities that would make your stay here more attractive. These are as follows: 78-meter tunnel slide, 13-metre flat slide, artificial rivebottom geysers, water jets, Jacuzzi bathtub for 7 people, with air and watermassage, and biological renewal and rehabilitation section.

Rawszczyzna Indoor swimming-pool ul. Mickiewicza 32, 27-400 Ostrowiec witokrzyski phone (+4841) 254 00 00, fax. (+4841) 267 41 03www.mosir.ostrowiec.pl

SielpiaSielpia is a health resort located in the midst of the pine forest of KoneckieHills. The main attraction of the place is a picturesque lake on the CzarnaKonecka River. It is an ideal spot for rest or recreation. There is possible tobathe in the lake or in the sun, rent water sport equipment and have some funin one of the discos in the evening. Because of the wonderful nature and clean water there are a lot of rest-houses round the lake, of different standard. Forlovers of walking or cycling there are some well designated tourist routes.Each year there are also some miscellaneous events with the most popular of Kunice Koneckie which is organized on the ground of the formerMetallurgical Plant and now the Museum of Old Polish Industrial Region.

Tourist Information Office Polish Tourist Country Lovers Society (PTTK) Koskie Division ul. Zamkowa 7, 26-200 Koskie phone (+4841) 372 31 70http://konskie.pttk.pl

Chacza The Chacza Lake on the Czarna Staszowska River is the place were you mafind excellent conditions for summer recreation and practising water sports. The area of the lake is around 500 ha and the depth is from 11 m at the damto 3 m in the north part of it. Each year there are crowds of those who love windsurfing, sailing and sunbathing. All comers may use the local accommodation, catering business or hiring establishment of water equipment.

Rakw Commune Office ul. Ogrodowa 1, 26-035 Rakw Phone/fax. (+4841) 353 50 18 www.rakow.pl

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Cycling tourism

The witokrzyskie Region offers to the lovers of leisure activity more than 1300 kdesigned cycling tourist routes which lead to places that are worth seeing: commemtive places related to the history of the Region, and beautiful and miscellaneous spmens of nature.

The most interesting routes are as follows: blue route: On the track of technical monuments in the Valley of Kamienna Rive routes in the neighbourhood of Opatw red route: Round the town of Starachowice routes through the Sandomierski Region routes in the neighbourhood of Koskie red route: Through the forests around Woszczowa red route: Through the witokrzyskie Mountains cycle paths in KielceFor those cyclists who want to check if they are in training we recommend to take rithrough the mountainous region of witokrzyskie Province and also take part in crallies or in the cyclic event called witokrzyska Liga Rowerowa (Cycling Leagwitokrzyskie Region).

For more information see page 32

HikingMore than 40 walking routes of total length 1500 km enable walking tourists to wander about the beautiful witokrzyskie Region and learn much abou

system of routes, with different degree of difficulty, covers the range of witokrzyskie Mountains, which are not high, and easy approachable for evare also a lot walking routes leading through Sandomierski and Konecki Regions as well as in Ponidzie Region in Piczw and Busko-Zdrj districtshiking will be compensated for sure by surprising sceneries, relics of the past and by peace and quiet which are omnipresent here.

The most interesting routes are as follows: main red route: Gooszyce wity Krzy wita Katarzyna Masw Tumlin Miedziana Gra Kuniaki red route: Gooszyce Ujazd- Klimontw Koprzywnica Sandomierz Dwikozy Zawichost blue route: Kuniaki Sielpia Wielka Koskie Stara Kunica Skaki Pieko pod Niekaniem Reserve Pogorzae near Skarysko-Kami green route: Grochowiska Szaniec Szczawory Stopnica Solec-Zdrj Nowy Korczyn Wilica red route: Chciny Jaskinia Raj (Paradise Cave)- Kielce Karczwka

Look for information in PTTK agencies, page 32


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White crazinessIn winter the witokrzyskie Region offers as attractive possibilities as during the remaining seasons of the year. Thanks to the shape of the hills, which arenot very high but differ in slope inclination and length, all skiers, beginners andadvanced, may find appropriate conditions for themselves to practise wintercraziness. In the very close neighbourhood of Kielce and in the town itself there are 6 ski trails, equipped with ski lifts, if necessary artificially covered with snow, well illuminated, with hiring establishment of ski equipment andcatering spots. At the beginning of 2006 winter ski season there are going tostart running two new ski lifts, one on Miejska Mountain near Bodzentyn, theother in Batw.

Ski-lift Son on Telegraf Mountain and Piercienica Mountain Kielce phone (+4841) 368 74 26 www.rekreacja.kielce.pl Open: 10.0022.00

Ski-lift in Krajno-Zagrze SABAT Winter Sports Centre phone (+4841) 312 77 11, (0048) 602 391 081, (0048) 602 217 920http://sabatkrajno.fm.interia.plOpen: 9.0022.00.

Ski-lift on Radostowa Mountain Mchocice phone (0048) 607 234 126 Open: 9.00 till last skier

Ski-lift on ajscowa Mountain in Tumlin phone (+4841) 303 49 82 Open: 9.0022.00

Ski-lift on Mazna Mountain Wideki phone (0048) 513 555 880, (0048) 668 147 040, (0048) 602 619 537 www.stacjawidelki.prv.plOpen: Sat.Sun. 10.00 21.00, week-days 10.0019.00 or till last skier

Horse-riding tourism There are more than 30 horse-riding centres, of different sizes, in thewitokrzyskie Region, where it is possible to practise horse-riding tourism. Apart from horse riding courses, the lovers of the animals may try cross-coun-try riding, take part in training camps, green schools, horse-drawn rides andsleigh rides during winter. Some of the centres lead hippotherapy activities. The lovers of sport rivalry may compete in riding events and those who needto experience more thrilling emotions my take part in horse jumping trainings.

Maag Stadion Centre of Horse Riding

ul. Kusociskiego 61a, 25-045 Kielce, phone (+4841) 361 40 81Amazonka Borkw 68, 26-021 Daleszyce Phone (+4841) 317 19 92 witokrzyskie Rehabilitation Centre (hippotherapy only for people with appropriate documentation of the illness)Czarniecka Gra 43, 26-220 Stporkw Phone (+4841) 374 11 63, fax. (+4841) 374 11 62 www.rehabilitacja-dzieci.plCavalry Sandomierski Centre ul. Mokoszyska 4, 27-600 SandomierzPhone (0048) 606 699 801 Magda Mazurek

AgroklubIn Kontrewers Village, which belongs to Mniw Commune, there is an agro-tourist farm of high standard, which, apart from traditional offers, proposestheir guests a number of additional attractions.

The most popular are quad rides trough the beautiful region of Mniw Commune and Suchedniowsko-Oblgorski Landscape Park. They offer paintball games, pneumatic weapon shooting and possibility ofimproving your condition in a room for active relaxation. Apart from thesethey offer trainings, conferences and integration parties. The owners invite guests under the banner: Come to us for adventure.

Farm tourism AGROKLUB Zbigniew CisakKontrewers 3, 26-080 Mniw phone/fax (+4841) 37 38 400, (+4841) 37 38 410, (0048) 601 744 915 www.czterokolowce.pl

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witokrzyskie flavours The witokrzyskie Region constitutes a paradise for gourmets of regional dishes healthy and organic food. The regional fruits, such as the plum from Szydw,Damach plum from Ponidzie, the apples from Sandomierz, the cherry from SuNadbrzena and the strawberry from Bieliny become more and more famous. Dishfrom Korczyn bean which are served e.g. in ,,Zamek Dersawa in Busko-Zdrjgoose from Ms Grayna Korepta agrotouristic farm in Siesawice or the Bodzentyn bfrom an old bakery at the Central Marketplace in Bodzentyn are as delicious. While relaxing in the witokrzyskie Region, one should definitely try witokrpotato soup with rye flour, cream and garlic, which is served in local restaurants, whas a historical dish called ,,Dzionie, whose main ingredients are matzo and pork fronthe neck, awaits those tourists who visit Rakw. And for a nice ending ,,Orzechwka agrotouristic farm near Bodzentyn offers ,,mwitokrzyska, a wine-and-herb drink with medical properties.

witokrzyski Centre of Agricultural Advisement ul. Piotrkowska 30, 26-200 Koskie phone (+4841) 372 22 84 86, fax. (+4841) 372 34 86 www.sodr.pl

Agritourism The offer of agrotouristic farms in witokrzyskie voivodeship is extremely rich and varied. The farms, located in the most interesting spots of the region, both render accomodationservices to the arriving agrotourists and also guarantee delicious regional cuisine and are the

source of a number of additional attractions. The farmers take care of the high standard of rooms and help to organize interesting excursions in the vicinity. The folk culture, which isstill alive, and the variety of customs and traditions of the witokrzyska village shall inter-est everybody who decides to go there for a shorter or longer holiday.

HOME CLIMATE

22

Information about agrotouristic associations:Ziemia witokrzyska witokrzyskia Federation of Agritourism and Rural Tourism Seat at wi tokrzyska House of Agriculture Al. IX Wiekw Kielc 3, 25-516 Kielce Phone (+4841) 344 18 73Cis Agritourist Association of Guest and Ecological Farms in Morawica ul. Kielecka 38 (based in Commune Office)

26-026 Morawica Phone (+4841) 301 70 38 www.agrowakacje.pl/cis Borowiec Agritourist of Fish Breeders Association ladkw May 98, 26-020 ChmielnikPhone (+4841) 354 39 29www.wakacje.agro.pl/borowiec, www.borowiec.agrowczasy.com Relax Agritourist Association in BuskoSiesawice 193, 28100 Busko-Zdrj phone (+4841) 378 47 68, (0048) 608 496 163www.umig.busko.pl Dolina Czarnej Agritourist Associationul. Siniskiego 6, 26-035 Rakw Phone (0048) 607 305 393www.dolinaczarnej.pl eremie Agritourist Association of Daleszyce Parishul. Chopina 25, 26-021 Daleszyce Phone/fax. (+4841) 307 22 51www.agro.kie.pl rdo Zdrowia Agritourist Association of Solec-Zdrj ParishSeat at Parish Culture Centre ul. Partyzantw 8a, 28131 Solec-Zdrj phone (+4841) 377 61 59, (0048) 698 944 324

Wierna Rzeka Agritourist Association in Piekoszw ul. Kolejowa 2 (based in Parish Culture Centre)26-065 Piekoszw

Phone (+4841) 30 61 081www.gok-piekoszow.pl Wisa-San Agritourist Associationul. Mokoszyska 3, 27-600 Sandomierz Phone (+4815) 824 38 73Wypoczynek Agritourist Farms Associationul. Spdzielcza 12, 29120 KluczewskoPhone (+4844) 781 42 46 www.kluczewsko.gmina.pl Nad Zalewem Chacza Guest Farms Association Korytnica 37, 28-225 Szydw Phone (+4841) 354 51 65 www.wakacje.agro.pl/korytnica www.chancza.agrowczasy.com The Association of agw Commune Development ul. Barska 21, 26-025 agw Phone (+4841) 307 43 98, (+4841) 307 43 83www.lagow.agrowakacje.pl Nad Czarn Tourist-Agritourist Association in Ruda Maleniecka seat in Koskie Gruszka 5, 26-230 Radoszyce Phone (+4841) 373 61 28 http://www.umkonskie.pl/umig/agtur.html

Ponidzie Tourist-Agritourist Association Associations Information Centre Chroberz 134, 28-425 Zota Piczowska

phone (+4841) 356 42 26, (0048) 602 640 563www.wakacje.agro.pl/ponidzie www.ponidzie.agrowczasy.com

W krainie latajcych czarownic Rural Tourism Association phone (+4841) 311 22 64, (+4841) 272 27 81(+4841) 312 02 85 www.czarownice.com.pl Dolina Sanicy ladkw Agritourist and Tourist Association ladkw May 25, 26-020 Chmielnik phone (+4841) 354 27 78, fax. (+4841) 354 32 22 www.wakacje.agro.pl/dolinasanicy www.sladkow.agrowczasy.com ysogry witokrzyskie Agritourist Association Trzcianka 22, 26-006 Nowa Supia phone (+4841) 317 81 85 www.lysogory.agrowczasy.com


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HOME CLIMATE

The Centreof PotteryTraditionFor centuries a small village of Chaupki provided extensivesurroundings with clay ware,such as dishes and pots. Theprocess lasted from the prehis-torical times until the end of the 20th century.Since 1998 The Centre of Pottery Tradition has beenactive. It functions in a pre-served workshop of one of thelocal potters, whose son Jzef Guszek is a conservator anda guide of the Centre. The workshop has authentic equip-ment for clay preparing andmixing, throwing dishes on thepotters wheel, and for drying,

glazing and decorating. There is an old two-chamber kiln prepared for firing inthe central place. While visiting the centre and the exhibition, one may also seeexhibit items made by the old local masters. A school of pottery and work-shops are active there.

The Centre of Pottery Tradition Chaupki 47, 26-026 Morawica

Phone (+4841) 311 87 02; (0048) 606 109 980Open: Every day except Mondays since 10.0016.00

The Museumof Axes The only in Poland andmaybe even in EuropeMuseum of Axes is located inan agrotouristic farm in the village of Orzechwka nearBodzentyn. As the founderof the Museum Adolf Kudliski says: an axe accom-panies every human being from the moment of concep-

tion till death. It is the crad-dle at first and the coffinfinally that need to be made

with the help of some tool. Currently, over 1850 axes, which were once usedfor chopping, splitting, hewing and cutting down, etc., are gathered in theMuseum. The oldest axe in the collection dates back to around 1720. On thefarm there is also a smithy, in which the owner holds lessons of smithery andarmourers trade.However, the axes and the smithy are not the only attraction. The farmers con-tinue their ancestors tradition of herbalism. They produce eg. ,,magawitokrzyska, a drink from herbs and wine which may help to overcome thestomach and respiratory tract complaint. A pyramid, in which, according to thefarmers, the existing cosmic radiation has salutary influence on rheumatic conditions and the improvement of the general physical and mental state, isa curiosity of the farm.

,,Orzechwka Farm tourismRafa, Adolf, Zofia Kudliscy Orzechwka 16, 26-010 Bodzentyn phone (+4841) 312 00 18, (0048) 603 427 282 www.orzechowka.com

Tokarnia- the Ethnographic Park of the Kielce Village Museum The main exhibition of the Kielce Village Museum is the Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia, which is located on the E77 route leading from Kielce to Cracow. In thepicturesquely located in the Czarna Nida river bend over 70-hectare area, the most treasured vintage buildings from the turn of the 18th and the19th centuries wood-en architecture from the territory of the wi tokrzyskie Mountains, theKrakowsko-Czstochowska Upland, Sandomierska Upland and Nidziaska Basinhave been gathered. These are e.g. homesteads, small-town buildings, a manorhouse, farm buildings, country industry monuments and sacred buildings. The most interesting places to visit are: the manor house in Suchedniw dating from 1856, themanor granary in Zota built in 1719 and the baroque Church dating from 1761dedicated to the Madonna of Consolation of Rogw on the Vistula. Interiors of the nineteenth-century cottages and craftmans workshops, the chemists, the smallshop and the tailors, the exhibition of a village school from the interwar period, thecollection of sculptures on the exhibition called To preserve for posterity. JanBernasiewicz- the creator of the sculpture garden as well as temporary exhibitions,e.g. Wheat is being ground... Windmills and wind milling on the Land of Kielce...are displayed. The Museum organizes numerous cyclic folk events, such as The Fireman Picnic (inMay), Smelting of Lead, The Forest Days and witokrzyski Agrotouristic Fair (in June), The Harvest Festival (in August), The Sun. in the Open-air Museum (inSeptember), The Christmas Fair (in December), etc.

The Museum of Kielce Village ul. Jana Pawa II 6 , 25-025 Kielce Phone (+4841) 344 92 97, (+4841) 344 50 06, fax (+4841) 344 50 08

Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia- Kielce Village Museum Tokarnia 303 near Chcin, phone (+4841) 315 41 71open: XI-III, week-days 9.0014.00; IV Tue.Sun.: 9.0016.00; V-VI Mon.Sun. 10.0018.00; VII-VIII Tue.Sun. 10.0018.00; IX Mon.Fri. 9.0017.00 X Mon.Fri. 9.0017.00, Sat.Sun. 10.0017.00. [email protected], www.mwk.com.pl

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The Garden at a Crossroads At a small distance from Piczw (around six kilometres) in Modzawy Maethere is the unusual Garden at a Crossroads founded by an artist- sculptor Tadeusz Kurczyna.One may find there absolutely fabulous scenery: a waterfall of about fifteenmeters, a cave, small ponds and numerous flowers and bushes, and all of thisis located on three levels. The garden is inhabited by white and black swans,black storks, different duck breeds, peacocks and parrots. Beautiful colourfulfishes inhabit the numerous small ponds.

The Garden at a Crossroads Modzawy Mae 17, 28-400 Piczw phone (+4841) 357 92 65 open Sat. and Sun. 9.00 19.00, from IV to XI

The Nature Path in the Communeof Sitkwka-Nowiny The nature path which has recently been outlined on the territory of thCommune of Sitkwka-Nowiny leads through enchanting spots with uniquscenic and natural as well as historical and cultural qualities. The main attraction this route are: the Bobrza river valley, an inactive quarry on Berberysw with sapphire blue clean water, xerothermic flora on Panek Mountain and tprewar holiday town of Trzcianka with historical architecture. The path makes a loop and it has 14 stops. It takes around three hours tcover it.

Sitkwka-Nowiny Commune Officeul. Biae Zagbie 25, 26-052 Sitkwka-Nowiny Phone (+4841) 347 50 00www.nowiny.com.pl

The Narrow-gauge Railway in Starachowice The development of narrow-gauge railways in the vicinity of Starachowice was closely connected with the local industrial and mining plants which, dur-ing the interwar period were a part of the Central Industrial Region. Just at the

time the railroad network linking the Blast Furnace in Starachowice anda sawmill on the Bugaj river with Majwka, Mikoaj, Zbiec, Wadysaw andHenryk mines and numerous wood sheds was established.Presently, the narrow-gauge railway in Starachowic

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Swietokrzyskie - the place of power