Architectural history and remembrance in Zabierzów

Zabierzów brings together architectural history, remembrance and the landscape of a former quarry. The Neo-Gothic parish church stands in the area of the former village green; the quarry tells the story of limestone extraction, closure and subsequent flooding. There is also a memorial obelisk, as well as hiking and cycling routes with various named stops and destinations.

The Neo-Gothic parish church of St. Francis of Assisi stands on Krakowska Street in the area of Zabierzów’s former village green. Its architectural style and historic location offer two specific points of reference for placing it in the history of the village. Another example of architectural history is the timber-and-stone villa at 149 Krakowska Street: it was built in 1901 to a design by architect Jan Sas-Zubrzycki, who lived in Zabierzów. Here, a named church style meets a specific architect and year of construction.

The obelisk commemorates the arrest of the Pogan family and other residents by the Gestapo on July 3, 1943. It was unveiled in 1993, on the 50th anniversary of the arrests. Across the Rudawa stands a former mill dating from 1930. The juxtaposition of the memorial and the mill provides a clear local reference; the dates place the commemoration and the mill’s construction in different historical contexts.

From limestone quarry to pond

Limestone was extracted at the Zabierzów quarry for chalk production from 1922 until it closed in 1992. The disused quarry was later flooded, creating a pond. The site can therefore be viewed through several phases: the earlier extraction of the raw material, the end of quarrying and the transformation of the land through flooding.

A nature trail runs through the quarry grounds. Swimming in the pond is not permitted for hygiene reasons; check this rule at the site before your visit. A cycle path runs near the quarry. The blue hiking trail from Zabierzów to Mników also passes nearby. These details help place the quarry in the context of the trails in its surroundings.

Hiking and cycling routes starting at the railway station

The listed hiking route covers 1.3 kilometres between Zabierzów railway station and the quarry. A hiking trail of the Kraków branch of the PTTK leads from the station via the quarry and Las Zabierzowski to the Wąwóz Zbrza ravine. It then runs through Kleszczów, Brzoskwinia, Chrosna and Wąwóz Półrzeczki to the car park in Dolina Mnikowska and the Mników MPK stop. The sequence of places makes the route easy to follow: from the station via the quarry and forest to ravines and several named places, ending in the area around Mników.

A cycling route runs from Zabierzów railway station via Bolechowice, Karniowice, Kawiory and Bębło Kolonia Zachodnia to Dolina Będkowska. A blue cycling route to Jerzmanowice Kolonia Zachodnia is then listed. The sequence first names several places along the way and then a valley as the first route’s destination; the subsequent blue route continues towards Jerzmanowice Kolonia Zachodnia.

Both routes start at Zabierzów railway station but lead to different named destinations: the hiking trail goes to the car park in Dolina Mnikowska and the Mników MPK stop, while the cycling route first reaches Dolina Będkowska. Comparing the routes makes it possible to use the places mentioned as landmarks and distinguish between the hiking and cycling routes.

Discover more destinations: Szczyglice, Balice, Michałowice, Sieciechowice, Kocmyrzów, Radziszów, Niedźwiedź, Sułoszowa.

For the wider travel overview: Kraków.