Kashubia – treasures of nature, part 1
Kashubia is an extremely interesting region in the north of Poland, which with its diversity can delight all nature lovers. A local legend says that after the creation of the world, God poured out all the crumbs here and this is how Kashubia was created, full of picturesque lakes, beautiful forests and hills. The inhabitants of Kashubia also use their own language, which has been included in the official list of regional languages. You can start your trip around Kashubia in Gdańsk, Sopot or Gdynia, because from each city we can easily get to Kartuzy, which is the first place on our route.
Kartuzy – the capital of Kashubia This city, which is the capital of Kashubia, lies on two lakes: Klasztorne Duży and Klasztorny Mały, around which there are paths for walkers. Kashubia, with a beautiful collegiate church and a monastery lake, around which you can walk. One of the strictest orders was active in Kartuzy, and the collegiate church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the 14th century is a testimony to the past. The most valuable monument of this place is the main altar in the form of a triptych from 1444. Being in Kartuzy, be sure to visit the Kashubian Museum, where the guide will tell you about the history and the habits of the indigenous people during the tour. Thanks to this, it will be easier to visit other places on our route. You can also visit one of the workshops and test yourself in the art of pottery. Wieżyca – the highest peak in Kashubia Wieżyca, 328.6 m above sea level. It is called the Kashubian Mountain and although it is not formally it is worth visiting this place for wonderful views and forest walks. The almost virgin beech forest is one of the region’s greatest attractions. At the very top of Wieżyca, there is an observation tower, 35 meters high, from which there is a wonderful view of the entire area.
Kościerzyna – railway museum It is worth stopping here for a walk around the charming market square, decorated with colorful tenement houses. In the central part there is a fountain, which is not only an attraction for children, but also provides refreshment on hot summer days. The biggest attraction of Kościerzyna, however, is the Railway Museum, which has the largest exhibition of steam locomotives and rail vehicles in this part of Poland. Wdzydze Kiszewskie – open-air museum and picturesque lakes It is one of the most picturesque places in Kashubia. The nearby lakes form the so-called Kashubian Sea here. The most important town in this area is Wdzydze Kiszewskie and it is worth visiting it if only to take a photo with its name on it. But that’s not all, because a 30-meter observation tower has been erected on the premises of the PTTK hostel, from the top of which you can admire breathtaking views. A visit to the Kashubian Ethnographic Park should also be an obligatory item on the agenda. In the open-air museum you will know exactly how long ago Kashubians lived, what they did and what their height was. The open-air museum in Wdzydze was established in 1906 and is the oldest of its kind in Poland. There are mansions, cottages, a school, a forge, an inn, windmills, churches, farm buildings and craft workshops.
Bytów – Teutonic castle on the border of Kashubia The city is located on the south-eastern edge of Kashubia and attracts tourists with the 14th-century Teutonic castle. The building has retained its Gothic form, and the traces of the Middle Ages are still present here today. After chasing the Teutonic Knights, Bytów was ruled by the Pomeranian dukes, after whom the market square and the gothic tower remained in the city, which was the last element of the former church of St. Catherine.