Garwolin combines historic landmarks with seasonal leisure opportunities. A trail with information boards at 31 locations explores a theme in the city’s history; the collegiate church, cemeteries and memorial sites add a cultural perspective. In summer, the river and reservoir in the Zarzecze recreation area offer a chance to cool off. You can tailor your stay to your interest in history and culture or to a summer visit to the recreation area.
City History Along the Historic Trail
Garwolin’s historic trail is marked by information boards at 31 locations throughout the city. The guidebook “Spacerownik Garwoliński” complements the trail project. Together, the trail and guidebook offer a thematic introduction to Garwolin’s history, without requiring a set amount of time for your visit. If the information boards are important to your plans, check their condition before your visit.
Collegiate Church and Cemeteries
The parish church of the Collegiate Church of the Transfiguration (Kolegiata pw. Przemienienia Pańskiego) was built around the turn of the 20th century in the Neo-Baroque style. Its floor plan is shaped like a cross with short arms, and the building has three naves. Bishop Franciszek Jaczewski consecrated the church on 5 July 1900. The main altar contains a painting of the Transfiguration of Christ by Wincenty Łukasiewicz, dating from 1894. The wider Garwoliński destination also includes further features of the same collegiate church: its side altars contain paintings of Saint Stanislaus Kostka, from 1897, and Saint Joseph, from the late 19th century.
Garwolin’s parish cemetery offers further historic points of interest. After its renovation in 2015, two educational trails were created along the graves of people who distinguished themselves in service to their homeland. The oldest section of the cemetery is home to the Neoclassical Chapel of Saint Anthony, dating from 1839. Garwolin’s war cemetery is listed in the heritage register for its preserved artistic and historical value. An obelisk in Skwer im. Prezydenta Lecha Kaczyńskiego commemorates the soldiers of the “Gołąb-Garwolin” Home Army district.
More Things to Do in the Wider Garwoliński Destination
Garwolin’s festival days are held every year on the third weekend of June. The program includes concerts by local groups and invited stars, performances by local dance schools, and theatre productions by local and visiting companies. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the specific dates in advance.
For outdoor exercise, a 17-kilometre hiking and cycling trail runs from Garwolin through the woods along the banks of the Wilga River to Wilga. Check trail conditions locally. The wider Garwoliński destination also has extensive green spaces suited to running, cycling and walking. The Garwolanka aquatic centre has a 60-metre slide, a current channel, three water jets, three back-massage geysers, three loungers with underwater back massage and three whirlpool tubs. As facilities may change, it is advisable to check before visiting. Leisure options in the destination also include a seasonal ice rink and an indoor municipal swimming pool open year-round.
Military history is also one of the themes of the wider Garwoliński destination. The Koszary barracks complex in Garwolin was built for the Russian 13th Count Münnich Dragoon Regiment and comprised around 20 buildings, including stables, workshops, storehouses, a riding arena, an Orthodox church and a casino. During the interwar period, the 1st Mounted Rifles Regiment was stationed there. Its former use and later military presence offer a different historical perspective from the religious buildings and memorial sites.
Discover more destinations: Pilawa, Żelechów, Nowy Goniwilk, Zwola Poduchowna, Sobolew, Chęciny, Lipówki, Wilga
Go to the wider travel overview: Garwoliński.
