Today is a relaxing day. It doesn’t mean that I’m gonna be in bed the whole day watching Netflix though. Instead, I have 10 kilometres to walk through Raven Mountains (Góry Krucze) from Lubawka to Krzeszów.
In the morning I said goodbye to my travel buddy who according to the initial plan, after joining me for the first couple of days, came back to Gdansk to enjoy 9 AM – 5 PM life.
Above all, it was my back that needed a lighter day without carrying heavy load for such a long time.
Route: Lubawka to Krzeszów
Distance: 10 km
I departed from the main square in Lubawka and as always, followed red signs of the track leading me out of town into the Hazel Tree Ravine (Leszczynowy Wąwóz). Here the path goes gently up all the way to the Linden Tree Saddle (Lipowe Siodło). It’s around 3 kilometres from the starting point.
Next 5 kilometres are still in the woods, without a single soul around me. I push forward going sometimes up and sometimes down but no steep climbs today. After all – it’s a rest day! At some point, just behind the trees, I see a little town with a huge church. It must be my today’s destination – Krzeszów.
But first, I pass by Bethlehem (Betlejem). Yeah, you read it right. Welcome to the Polish countryside. During the whole Main Sudetes Trail, I passed countless villages with sights named after the bible. I don’t even know how many Calvary mountains (Góra Kalwaria) there are but it seems like every village has it’s own.
Besides restaurant and guesthouse, it’s worth to have a look at the wooden pavilion that was built in the middle on the pond in the years 1674-1680 by the Cistercians. Apparently, inside there are paintings referring to the Old Testament, depicting scenes with the water theme. It was closed when I was there, however, if you wish to have a look inside, ask at the guesthouse.
Last kilometres are on a wide road leading to the centre of Krzeszów, but keep your eyes open as occasionally you can spot small chapels in the woods. These are the Stations of the Cross.
First buildings appear and my feet and back are very happy that soon backpack will rest on the floor and I will jump in sandals instead of heavy boots.
For the night, I recommend the agrotourism place “Mała Chatka“. It was only 50 PLN per night and I had the whole place to myself. It was probably the best price to the quality ratio when it comes to accommodation on the whole track.
What to do in Krzeszów?
It was still quite early and I wouldn’t be myself to just sit at home and do nothing.
Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First monks in the region were the Benedictines that established an abbey in 1242, as a filial of the Opatovice monastery. 50 years later, the buildings were acquired by the Silesian duke Bolko I the Strict, who invited Cistercians. They managed what they got quite well and did not spare time, money and resources to build an impressive baroque church.
The standard ticket includes entry to 4 sights plus an audioguide:
- Monastery Church (Basilica)
- Bracki Church
- Mausoleum of the Silesian Piasts
- Maria Magdalena Chapel with the area of the historic cemetery
If this is not enough, get an extended ticket adding 3 more attractions:
- Monastery Underground
- Attic and tower of the Monastery Church
- Summer Pavilion on the Water in Bethlehem
Check their website for current prices: https://en.opactwo.eu/dla-turysty/sightseeing/price-list-2020/
In the evening, it’s pleasant to stretch your legs walking the shorter path with the Stations of the Cross. For me it was also a great departing point for drone flight 🙂
