Szydłowiec combines a stoneworking tradition dating back more than 600 years with sandstone architectural monuments, trails and historic sites. When planning your trip, you can choose from a range of themes, from walking trails and architectural history to other cultural and leisure activities.

Sandstone and trails

The “Szydłowiec – miasto na kamieniu” educational trail runs through the town; on a walk, you can discover notable architectural monuments built from sandstone. The Podkowiński quarry has walking trails and viewing terraces. The two attractions offer different perspectives: the educational trail focuses on the built heritage, while trails and viewpoints define the character of the quarry. The importance of stoneworking for more than 600 years gives both themes a shared local connection. Check the condition of the educational trail before setting out.

History in the townscape

St. Sigismund’s Church stands on the south side of the Great Market Square. The Lodownia offers another perspective on the town’s history and its former use as a brewery: as the former cellar of the Stumpf and Engeman brewery, it was used to store malt and beer. It was hewn into the rock, and its walls are lined with sandstone. Szydłowiec’s Jewish cemetery was established in the second half of the 17th century and is one of the largest surviving Jewish cemeteries in Poland. These sites bring different themes together: public space, the former storage of brewery products and Jewish heritage.

Leisure and local cuisine

The Szydłowiec Reservoir is a place for leisure and recreation. The “Jak smakuje Szydłowiec” trail offers a culinary perspective: as part of a project running from 2017 to 2019, it included nine food-service establishments. Each offered at least one dish, meal or product from Szydłowiec’s traditional cuisine.

In the wider Szydłowiecki destination

In the wider Szydłowiecki destination, Szydłowiec Castle stands on an artificial island in the floodplain of the Korzeniówka River. Between 1470 and 1480, Stanisław Szydłowiecki built a brick castle in Szydłowiec. The Museum of Folk Musical Instruments was founded in 1968 and opened in Szydłowiec Castle in 1975. It is considered the world’s first independent museum dedicated to folk musical instruments. Its exhibitions are housed in the castle chambers, including three permanent exhibitions.

The Eksperymentarium Dźwięku is also located in one of the castle’s oldest chambers and is considered unique in Poland. Visitors can play rare musical instruments and create digital compositions there. The museum offers museum lessons for children and adults in the form of workshops or lectures.

There are routes of different lengths to choose from for a cycling trip: Cycle Route No. 1 is 23 kilometres long, with a 33-kilometre variant. It runs from Szydłowiec via Szydłowiec PKP, Sadek and Barak, and back to Szydłowiec. Cycle Route No. 6 is 25 kilometres long and starts and ends in Szydłowiec. Check the condition of the routes before setting off. A combined walking and cycling promenade connects the Szydłowiec Reservoir with the Great Market Square; a 4.5-kilometre walking trail also leads south out of town from the reservoir.

Discover more destinations: Jastrząb, Chlewiska, Sulistrowice, Chustki, Ostałówek.

Back to the wider travel overview: Szydłowiecki.