The Column of Sigismund I the Old in Kozienice commemorates the birth of the future King of Poland. The monument was erected in 1518 and is considered Poland’s oldest secular monument. It is a striking reminder of the town’s royal history.
Royal history and historic sites
After the First Partition of Poland, the royal residence in Kozienice served Stanisław August Poniatowski as a retreat and hunting residence. The palace and park complex also tells the story of the town. It includes a complex of buildings on the site of an 18th-century estate, the Den family cemetery, a tower and an English-style park.
The Regional Museum named after Professor Tomasz Mikocki is located in part of the former complex of coach house, stables and kitchen wing. The museum and historic buildings thus form a closely connected part of the same townscape, while each retains its own history.
Another historic site is the Jewish cemetery, known as the Kirkut. It is listed as a monument under number MWKZ 403/A/89, dated 3 April 1989. The first record of this monument dates from the middle of 1790. These records reach far back in time and add another historical reference to the town’s royal heritage sites.
Nature trails, lake and landscape
The “Królewskie Źródła” nature trail has twelve themed stops. It includes a picnic clearing with an educational shelter, benches, tables, a designated fire pit and information boards. The facilities provide both information and a place to take a break; please follow the local rules.
The “Edukacja środowiskowa – ścieżka edukacyjna w Parku Królewskim” nature trail offers a different way to explore the area. Using examples found directly in the park, it introduces local flora, fauna and fungi. Wooden boardwalks provide a way to observe features and organisms in aquatic habitats. Picnic tables, benches, information boards and educational games complete the facilities. While the “Królewskie Źródła” trail has twelve themed stops, this trail focuses specifically on life in the park.
Kozienicki Landscape Park brings together varied landscapes, forest complexes, bodies of water, and numerous natural and landscape complexes. A 7,010-hectare section of the park lies within Kozienicki County. The county lies between the Vistula and Pilica rivers and offers more than 300 kilometres of hiking trails for exploring landscapes rich in nature and history.
Organised kayaking trips are also available in Kozienicki County, on the Radomka, Pilica and Vistula rivers. Providers and dates may vary. In summer, visitors can enjoy the Kozienice Lake, which has a supervised bathing area, a lakeside beach and a water-sports equipment rental service. The seasonal facilities may operate differently from year to year. If you plan to swim or rent equipment, check seasonal availability in advance.
“Dzień Puszczy Kozienickiej” is held every year on the grounds of the KCRiS Recreation and Tourism Centre at Kozienice Lake. Check the dates for the relevant year if you would like to plan your trip around the event.
Culture and getting around the county
The county’s annual cultural programme includes festivals, exhibitions and outdoor painting events. The “Mazowsze w Koronie” concert series takes place in historic religious buildings, including in Kozienicki County. The historical reenactment “Przedmoście Maciejowickie” is associated with Ryczywół in the county. The county cycling marathon “Śladami Historii” features routes from eight editions in the event calendar; individual editions have specific dates.
Agritourism farms in the county offer opportunities to stay in nature and learn about Polish rural customs. They complement the historic sites, nature trails and water-based activities with a glimpse into the region’s rural life.
For getting around Kozienice: The Church of the Holy Cross is in the town centre, at its main road junction. The PKS bus station is on Kochanowskiego Street. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the latest departure times.
Discover more destinations: Czerwonka, Kozienice, Garbatka-Letnisko, Brzozy, Oleksów, Grójec, Szydłowiecki, Sochaczewski.
For the broader travel overview: Masovia.
