Ofot. Grzegorz Szczęsny
The rumble of cannons, the swish of arrows, fire, smoke, war cries and songs that raise the spirit of warriors everywhere – this is how we depict the battles of the past. The defenders hidden behind the thick castle walls or fortifications of hamlets, the invaders storming the courts and palaces to plunder, rob and rape – it is all gone for good. Nowadays, in order to feel like the real conqueror of strongholds or the castles on steep hills, you just have to get on your bike and follow the Bicycle Route of Fortified Architecture leading through the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. It covers over 500 kilometres with over 39 fortified buildings on the way. On the expedition one can easily “storm” the Former Cracow Bishops" Palace in Kielce, royal castles in Sandomierz, Szydłów or Chęciny, palace within the fortress in “Krzyżtopór” in Ujazd, palace in Kurozwęki or the fortalice in Sobków. In each place you can mark your presence – your Veni, Vidi, Vici on the Świętokrzyski Land – as special spots in all fortifications has been prepared and marked for this particular purpose. This makes you feel like a real conqueror who marks his battle route with distinctive pennant. Indeed, climbing up the hill on which the monumental ruins of Chęciny Castle can be gruelling for the rambler, not to mention the biker himself.
The Route of Fortified Architecture is a journey into a distant past. All the visited places are the dumb witnesses of the bygone times. It is in those places where not only the memories of human tragedy, victory and euphoria, but also ground-breaking moments for the region and the whole country abide. It can be seen in the ruins reminding of the golden ages and in the cultural events, tournaments, enactments of battles and skirmishes organised within the ruins. Following the Route of Fortified Architecture is a perfect way to spend free time not only for bikers, but also for the military and Polish history lovers. It is a real challenge for all real conquerors ...
Practical information:
The trail is marked with a black coloured stripe with a characteristic logo of a bike and an outline of a castle above. The bigger groups can find boarding and accommodation facilities in: County Youth Hostel in Chęciny, School Youth Hostel “Wędrownik” in Kilece, Tourist Hostel “Dom Harcerza” in Kielce-Białogon, County Youth Hostel in Bodzentyn, School Youth Hostel in Opatów, School Youth Hostel in Sandomierz, School Youth Hostel “Ventus” in Sitkówka-Nowiny, MOSiR Holiday Resort in Pińczów.
Individual tourist can find accommodation in inns and roadhouses: (for example “Carmen” in Krynki), numerous hotels (such as the one in the Palace in Kurozwęki) or in private houses or farmhouses in the whole Voivodeship.
The proposition is offered by:
PTTK Branch Świętokrzyskie
ul. Sienkiewicza 29
25-007 Kielce
Phone: +48 41 34 47 743
biuro@pttkkielce.pl
www.pttkkielce.pl
PTTK Branch in Końskie
ul.Zamkowa 7
26-200 Końskie
tel. +48 41 37 23 170
www.pttk-konskie.dmkhosting.net
