The Pilica forms the natural axis of Piotrków County. Cistercian history and late Baroque residential architecture sit alongside water sports, paddling routes and protected natural areas. The region therefore offers a range of reasons to plan your trip around your own interests.
Monastery, residence and historic churches
In Sulejów-Podklasztorze, the historic Cistercian Route and the historic Piast Romanesque Route converge. The Cistercian monastery complex in Sulejów was recognized as a Monument of History of Poland by a regulation of the President of the Republic of Poland dated 22 October 2012. The abbey is among Poland’s most valuable architectural monuments and is of great artistic, historical and scientific importance.
Elsewhere, buildings tell stories of different eras. The Bishop’s Palace in Wolbórz was built from 1768 to 1773 in the late Baroque style as a summer residence for the Bishops of Kujawy. In Skotniki stands the wooden Church of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1528: the larch-wood church, with its wooden bell tower, is listed in the voivodeship register of monuments and is of significance beyond the region. In Witów, the remains of the former Premonstratensian abbey, founded in 1179, include a Baroque church and a historic gate tower dating from the 15th century.
Another cultural highlight is in Taraska. The Autorska Galeria Sztuki „Nad Czarną i Pilicą” and an open-air museum were established there in 2000. Both belong to the artist Zdzisław Wojciech Słomka and display his works in a century-old cottage, an outbuilding and a garden.
At the Sulejów Reservoir and on the Pilica
The Sulejów Reservoir is an artificial body of water on the Pilica and attracts water sports enthusiasts as well as people seeking recreation in nature. Windsurfing, kayaking and sailing are possible there. Numerous recreation centres, bathing areas and walking paths are located around the reservoir. The Zygmunt Goliat cycling route runs along the lake and is about 15 kilometres long within the Sulejów municipality.
The Pilica can also be explored by kayak: a 45-kilometre stretch of the river is designated for this purpose. Several water sports are available at the reservoir; on the river, the stated route length provides a practical guide for kayaking enthusiasts.
Natural areas with distinct character
The Cieszanowice Reservoir covers 260 hectares and is an important recreation area as well as a habitat for rare birds. These include the common tern, little tern and common ringed plover. The Jodły Lubiaszów Nature Reserve protects a different natural environment in the southern part of the Wolbórz municipality, near Lubiaszów. Covering 202.4 hectares, it preserves a mixed forest with a high proportion of fir trees and numerous protected plant species. Descriptions of both areas combine nature and recreation, but emphasize different features: rare bird species in one, and forest and protected plants in the other.
Horse riding and regional treats
The Stado Ogierów stud farm in Bogusławice offers riding lessons and recreational riding for all experience levels, including beginner courses and lunge lessons. Riding lessons take place daily. Other activities include carriage rides, guided tours of the stud farm and horseback riding; pony rides are available for younger children. Activities and schedules may change, so check the current offer before your visit.
In Kłudzice, visitors can try local “Partisan bread” and ice cream made to a house recipe at local events and festivals, among other things. Both products are made at Kłudzice 45A. If you are planning to sample them, check in advance whether they will be available at a particular event.
Getting between destinations
Transport connections may also be a factor when choosing your accommodation. Sulejów has bus and minibus connections to Piotrków Trybunalski, the county seat. Wolbórz has road-based public transport connections to Piotrków Trybunalski and Tomaszów Mazowiecki. As timetables and operators may change, check connections for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Piotrków Trybunalski, Sulejów, Czerno, Wolbórz, Budy, Bronisławów, Bogusławice, Ręczno, Wola Krzysztoporska.
For the broader travel overview: Lodz.
