The Most Beautiful Village of Lower Silesia 2015
Description of the village
A small, scattered village in the western part of the Kaczawskie Foothills is situated in a wide depression between Złotoryja Forest to the south and the elevation of Kopka (343 m). In the 19th century, the main branch of the local economy was the extraction of sandstone from quarries on Kopka, which continues to this day. The promotional slogan of the village, ‘Village of Sand and Stone‘, refers to these traditions.
Near the former railway station, ‘Kamienny Skwerek’ (Stone Square) was created – an open-air exhibition of blocks of various types of chalk sandstones found in the area. Nearby, a miniature version of the trail of stone crosses standing in Złotoryja Forest has been arranged. There is an educational geological path leading to Kopka, marked by five informational boards. One of its points is the inactive quarry near the summit, with a well-exposed former exploitation wall reaching a height of up to 15 metres.
Another observation point is the upper edge of the former excavation on the western slope, now filled with water and forming the so-called ‘Szmaragdowe Oczko’ (Emerald Eye). In the old quarry on the eastern slope of Kopka, the stone viaduct from 1898 is noteworthy. In the village, a small geological exhibition has been arranged in the so-called ‘Jasionkowa Chata’ (Jasionka’s Cottage). On the edge of Złotoryja Forest to the south of the village, there are ‘Cygańskie Skały‘ (Gypsy Rocks) – a natural rocky ledge several metres high, built from chalk sandstones. To the west of the village, there are thick deposits of sands and gravels carried by waters flowing from the Scandinavian ice sheet, exploited in a large quarry.
Description: Piotr Migoń
The village’s offer
The village offers tourist attractions that are based on and utilize its geological natural resources: sand and stone. We invite you to visit:
- The only stone cross trail in Poland, measuring 14 km in length (the crosses are located in their original positions in the forests).
- A mini trail of stone crosses located in the centre of the village.
- The geological trail with the charming name “Walk on the Bottom of the Cretaceous Sea.”. It is a 3.5-kilometre route through former sandstone quarries that reveal the hidden history in the rocks dating back millions of years.
- A thematic tourist destination. A barbecue area with log cabins, a grill, and a fireplace, along with elements of small architecture made of sandstone, at the disposal of tourists.
- Jasionkowa Chata – a wooden log cabin where a geological exhibition has been created, showcasing rocks and minerals from the area of the Land of Extinct Volcanoes.
- 3 zones of nectar-bearing plants where you can learn about the life of bees and nectar-bearing insects.
- Stone squares and thematic gardens.
The village’s offer also includes manual workshops using local resources – sand and stone (sand gel candles, mini rock gardens, or stone-made candle holders), as well as outdoor games.
During organized trips led by our mountain tourism instructors, you can also visit a stone processing plant, gravel pit, stone gate, and one of the oldest active quarries in Poland, over 500 years old. In the offer, there are also games and activities led by certified animators!
At the community centre, there is a self-service bike rental – the Municipal Bike System.
