The continuous row of wooden weavers’ houses, lined with arcades and known as “Dwunastu Apostołów,” gives Chełmsko Śląskie a distinctive focus for a cultural stay. Together with the townhouses on the market square, the Church of the Holy Family and the route to the Chapel of St. Anne, it brings together different aspects of architectural and craft history. These points of interest offer different starting points for planning your trip and deciding whether architecture and the history of weaving should shape your stay.
Weavers’ houses and two settlement histories
The “Dwunastu Apostołów” were built in 1707 for weavers who had moved there from Bohemia. Eleven of the twelve wooden buildings originally constructed have survived. Their arcades define the continuous row and make clear that this is not just a single weavers’ house, but a settlement form. Anyone interested in architectural and craft history can explore both aspects of this ensemble: its wooden architecture and the purpose for which it was built.
A second weavers’ settlement, “Siedmiu Braci,” was established in 1763 at the initiative of Krzeszów Abbey. Its only surviving house stands at 21 Kamiennogórska Street. Together with the row of “Dwunastu Apostołów,” built for Bohemian weavers, it shows that the local history of weaving encompasses two distinct settlements. The dates thus mark different building and settlement histories: a row of houses for weavers who had moved there from Bohemia, and a settlement established at the abbey’s initiative.
Arcades, townhouses and church
Baroque and Neoclassical townhouses define the northern side of the market square. Their features include arcades, decorated façades and ornate gables. Arcades are therefore found both on the townhouses and in the “Dwunastu Apostołów” row; however, timber construction and a continuous row characterize the weavers’ ensemble, while the townhouses stand out for their architectural styles and façade details. This makes it possible to observe the similarities and differences in the architecture.
The Church of the Holy Family is a three-aisled Early Baroque basilica that underwent extensive renovation between 1670 and 1680. This period predates the construction of the “Dwunastu Apostołów” in 1707. The church and the weavers’ houses thus represent different points in time. Comparing their building histories helps put them in context: the church is notable for its building type and renovation period, while the houses are notable for their use by weavers who moved there and for the surviving row.
Route to the chapel and crafts inside the house
The route to the Chapel of St. Anne is also part of the area’s cultural character. It begins at St. Anne’s Column on Kamiennogórska Street; Baroque roadside shrines mark the way through the fields. This broadens the focus from houses and façades to the chapel and the route’s landmarks. If you would like to include the route in your visit, check the current conditions along it in advance.
The history of weaving can also be explored through its tools. In one of the weavers’ houses, the Izba Tkactwa, run by the “Tkacze Śląscy” association, displays historical spinning wheels, looms and other weaving equipment. The exhibition thus complements the houses by offering a look at the tools used in weaving. If a visit to the chamber is important to your plans, check the visiting options in advance.
Discover more destinations: Marciszów, Kamienna Góra, Czarnów, Ciechanowice, Szarocin, Leszczyniec, Lubawka
Return to the regional travel overview: Kamiennogórski.
