Sandomierz - Opatów Route

Practical Information

  • Detailed InformationZwińRozwiń
    • Object type:
      Bicycle
    • Difficulty of the route:
      Beginners
    • Route route:
      • Opatow
      • Sandomierz
    • Locations on the route:
      Sandomierz – Radoszki – Dacharzów – Zagrody – Pęczyny – Pielaszów – Nikisiałka Mała – Karwów – Opatów
    • Attractions on the route:
      Brama opatowska, rynek i ratusz, podziemna trasa turystyczna, bazylika katedralna, dom Długosza, Collegium Gostomianum, Zamek w Sandomierzu, kościół pw. św. Jakuba, Wąwóz Królowej Jadwigi, kolegiata pw. św. Marcina, podziemna trasa turystyczna w Opatowie,
    • Route length:
      31,5km
    • Tourist region:
      • Opatów Region
      • Sandomierz Region
    • Organizer name:
      Oddział PTTK Sandomierz
    • Organizer data:
      27-600 Sandomierz, ul. Rynek 12
    • Phone:
      +48 15 832 23 05
    • Phone (second):
      +48 15 832 26 82
    • Website:
      www.pttk-sandomierz.pl
  • Description

    Although most of the trail is routed along asphalt roads, here and there sandy loess substrate may hinder  the driving.

    Course: Sandomierz – Radoszki – Dacharzów – Zagrody – Pęczyny – Pielaszów – Nikisiałka Mała – Karwów – Opatów
    Lenght: 31,5 km
    Colour: yellow
    Difficulty: easy

    photo A. Drzewiecka

    Sandomierz - occupying a few hills and a high escarpment from which enfolds a splendid view over the Vistula valley, the town has more than 120 monuments of architecture. Most of them date back to the Middle Ages and that"s why Sandomierz is considered a real gem of the Świętokrzyski region. The highlight of the town is its old town with the Renaissance town hall standing in the middle of the market square. The ground floor of the town hall is occupied by the exhibitions of the Regional Museum; they reveal to us the historical development of Sandomierz. Interesting are old burgher houses that line the market square. Worth a special attention is the Oleśnicki family house (16th c.), Mikołaj Gomółka house (16th c.), St Andrzej Bobola boarding school (17th c.), and the House Under Ciżemka (16th c.). Very beautiful view of the market square can be enjoyed by those who enter the town through Opatów Gate (Brama Opatowska), one of Poland"s best preserved medieval city gates. There were four such gates incorporated in the medieval defensive system of the town, but only Opatów Gate survived. Visitors can admire the panoramic view of the old town from its top (30 m). The Sandomierz market square can also be admired from the underground level. One of the town"s star attractions is the Underground Tourist Route (470 m in length, 12 m in depth), which leads through a chain of 30-odd cellars beneath the houses around the market square.

    Karwów - village is regarded as place of Blessed Vincent Kadlubek’s birth. In the village the spring named after him is beating. On the second Saturday and Sunday in October, there is indulgence in the parish.

    Opatów - the original proto-Slav settlement was most probably located near the present-day Bernardine

    photo M. Maciążek

    monastery. Its name was Żmigród. In 1237, the Silesian prince Henryk Brodaty (Henry the Bearded) gave Opatów together with the neighboring villages to the Lebus (present-day Lubusz) bishop. In 1282, the rapidly developing community received its location privilege based on the German law from King Leszek Czarny. Burghers felt safe behind the town walls and merchants as well as craftsmen were coming in great numbers, some of them to stay for good. In 1502 the town suffered serious damage from Tartar invasions. But soon it was reconstructed thanks to the support of king Aleksander Jagiellończyk (Alexander the Jagiellon). Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki bought Opatów from the bishops at the beginning of the 16th century and had town walls built with four gates leading to Cracow, Sandomierz, Lublin and Warsaw. He also ordered the construction of the town hall and a water-supply system. After his death the town subsequently passed into hands of the Tarnowski, Wiśniowiecki, Lubomirski, and Potocki noble families. During centuries Opatów played an important role in the country"s public life, frequently visited by Polish royalties. Here queen Marysieńka Sobieska was waiting for her husband, king Jan III Sobieski, returning from Vienna after the victorious campaign during which Turks were defeated. The Partitions of Poland (19th c.) halted development of the town. Many battles were fought in the region during the January Uprising (1863-65). During one of the major battles near Opatów (21 February 1864), the Cracovian division was defeated, its wounded commander Ludwik Zwierzdowski captured and two days later executed on the Opatów market square. Many partisan units operated in the region of Opatów during World War II, including the famous Jędrusie detachment. Worth to see are Warsaw Gate, St Martin the Bishop"s Parish Church- One of the most spectacular examples of Romanesque architecture in Poland, Bernardine Monastery and Church and Underground Tourist Route.

      More information: www.sejmik.kielce.pl