Today, the last bell rang in schools – students have just started their holidays. During this period, we more often decide to spend time actively by cycling or trekking in picturesque places. See five places that you can see during your tours in Kashubia.
The Kashubian Landscape Park is rich in natural values. Its area is dominated by a varied post-glacial relief, which is a picture of geomorphological processes taking place in the Pleistocene – this is where the source of natural mineral water Nata comes from.
There are numerous attractions in the park. Below are 5 suggestions of places to go while discovering Kashubia.
Stone Circles in Węsiory
This is the burial place of the Goths and Gepids, which was established in the 70s and 80s of the 1st century AD. They inhabited these lands for about 100-200 years, and then set off to the south-east of Europe, to the Iberian peninsula. They left behind burial mounds, graves and stone circles, whose history and purpose are still a mystery.
Archaeological research on vertebrae began only in the 1950s. In their course, it was established that the cemetery consisting of 3 stone circles, 16 burial mounds and 110 cremation and skeletal burials was used for funerals. Many artifacts were found in the graves, e.g. jewelry, which can now be seen at the archaeological museum in Gdańsk.
Other theories say that the stone circles were a place of worship and magical rituals. It was also stated that tribal meetings were held there. There is a theory that they have a positive effect on people and emit good energy. Walking around the area, you can meet many people who lie on the stones and “charge their batteries”.
The time of creation of the circles themselves has also been put into question. Some of the stones are overgrown with plants that are over 4,000 years old. years. Eugeniusz Leciej, chairman of the Society for the Study of Stone Circles, is inclined to the theory that this place was an astronomical observatory. He doubts, however, that they were built by the Goths, because similar buildings have not been found in the south, and they also reached there.
Lechick’s fissure
Lasy Mirachowskie
Lasy Mirachowskie hide a lot of secrets and attractions. In particular, the nature reserve Lubygość , which was established in 1962, while wandering, we can see beautiful views of the Lechicka Rift, caves created as a result of gravel extraction before the reserve was created, or the Ptasia Wola bunker.
Moreover, in the area of the reserve there are over 34 species of protected plants and 66 species of animals under strict protection (including 57 birds) and 20 under partial protection.
We start the trip at the forester’s lodge in Mirachowo, where you can leave your car. The forestry building itself was built in 1870 thanks to the Prussian administration, but the first voices about the headquarters of the Mirachowo Forest District appear on the plans of the forest district from 1805. Three specimens of ash trees can be admired by the car park. These are trees whose population in our country is drastically decreasing due to a fungal disease that probably came to us from Asia. Opposite the forester’s lodge, we can also admire one of the many natural monuments in the area, an over 150-year-old Norway spruce with a trunk circumference of over 3.8 m!
Going further towards Lake Lubugość on the right there is a tourist station where you can legally make a bonfire, pitch a tent and relax.
In order to reach the Lechicka Cleft, we have to follow the cobblestone road towards Lake Lubygosc. The section of the paved road was built already in the 20th century between the wars. On the way, we will come across Groty Mirachowskie, which were created as a result of gravel extraction in this place, even before the creation of the reserve. In this way, sandbanks of gravel conglomerates were exposed from under the ground, which look like small caves.
The next point on the route is the Ptasia Wola bunker, where the partisans hid from the German army. However, I will describe his story in a separate post, because it is worth getting to know it from scratch. And this is how we reach the destination point, which is the Lechicka Crack.
Castle in Łapalice
The castle in Łapalice was built on the initiative of Piotr Kazimierczak, a sculptor from Gdańsk, who started construction in 1983. However, he made a big prank, because he got permission to build a single-family house, and instead he built a castle with an area of over 5,000 m². m2! Further work was interrupted due to financial problems. In the 1990s, he opened a furniture factory in Gdańsk, but after less than a year of operation, it was destroyed by a flood.
And so the castle in Łapalice stood quietly until 2006, when the construction supervision became interested in the building. Due to the lack of documentation, the demolition of the castle was ordered.
The sculptor repeatedly appealed against the decision, and the matter of the castle passed between the poviat, provincial and state building inspectorate. Piotr got many chances to complete the documentation and legalize the building. In 2013, the PINB issued a decision prohibiting further construction works. Neither the investor nor the parties to the administrative proceedings appealed against this decision. In March 2023, the completion of the construction of the castle was announced. Currently, design works related to the spatial development of the building are in progress.
The design of the castle in Łapalice is full of symbolism. It has 365 windows symbolizing the number of days in a year, 52 chambers symbolizing the number of weeks in a year and 12 towers symbolizing the number of the Apostles. In addition, the facility has a place prepared for a swimming pool and a large ballroom.
Theoretically, it is forbidden to enter the castle. However, this regulation is not followed and on warm days you can meet hundreds of people there. This is problematic for local residents who have to collect garbage left by tourists. In addition, visitors often park at the exit gates. There will also be no shortage of fans of climbing and rope descents at the castle.
Zamkowa Góra
A beautiful, quiet place, ideal for a break from the everyday hustle and bustle. It is a vantage point in the Sierakowice commune, near Kamienica Królewska. To get there, leave the car in the forest parking lot and then climb a steep and demanding hill. There used to be stairs there, but they have been demolished.
The observation deck itself has also been renovated, which is now slightly smaller, but more secure. I recommend going there in the evening to admire the view of Lake Junno and the surrounding forests with the setting sun.
Tamowa Góra
Tamowa Góra in Zawory, commune of Chmielno is a vantage point with a panorama of the towns of Zawory and Chmielno and the landscape of the Chmielno lakes.
Góra Tamowa is a place located 224 m above sea level. It owes its name to regional legends, according to which there was a fortified town on it, ruled by the cruel queen Tamowa.
Once the viewpoint was a private piece of land. Despite the fact that a red trail led to it, finding it was not an easy task. Fortunately, the authorities of the commune are aware of the landscape values of this place and decided to develop it and facilitate access.
In 2020, an educational path was created that starts in the center of Chmielno, where you can leave your car and go for an approximately two-hour walk or bike ride. The direction of the road to the point is indicated by blue signs with an owl. From the fortified settlement, head towards the communal beach, then follow the cobblestone road to the fork in the road. The next stage leads along a forest path lined with “cat’s heads”. The owls lead us to the end point, which is the viewpoint on Góra Tamowa. Along the way, you can see the information boards that show what animals and plants can be found in the Kashubian Land.
From the top there is a panorama of Chmielno and Zawory. Ours also has a view of three Chmielno Lakes. At the point there is a bench where you can rest after a long walk. In addition, on site we can read the “Legend about the fate of Chmielno Tamowa”, which comes from Gazeta Kartuska from 1927. In addition, telescopes have been placed, thanks to which we can take a close look at the objects located behind the lakes.
