In and around Oświęcim

Sanktuarium Matki Bożej Wspomożycielki Wiernych nawa główna Oświęcim
The Oświęcim area boasts a long list of religious monuments, some of which are listed on the Wooden Architecture Route.

One of the most interesting and at the same time most famous sacred buildings is the Chewra Lomdei Misznajot Synagogue in Oświęcim. It is a tangible trace of the Jewish community, which before World War II constituted more than half of all the town's inhabitants. Jewish and Christian culture used to merge in this place, and the remains of it are still visible today.
The history of the Sanctuary of Our Lady Help of Christians in Oświęcim goes back to the beginnings of the Salesian church from the 14th century, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Trzebinia attracts the faithful with a miraculous figurine brought from Fatima in 1962. Church of St Nicholas in Chrzanów houses under its walls crypts in which court officials, prominent burghers and former owners of Chrzanów were buried. The Renaissance church of St Adalbert and St George in Zator is a must-see for lovers of historic architecture, just like the church of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Mętkowo, which remembers Karol Wojtyła as a vicar when the church was still located in Niegowić. In Oświęcim and the surrounding area there are more wooden or wooden-brick objects of worship of this type, to name just a couple a few: the church of St Nicholas in Polanka Wielka, the church of St Bartholomew in Poręba Wielka, the church of St Lawrence in Grójec, the church of St Martin in Jawiszowice, the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel in Głębowice, the church of St Andrew in Osiek or the church of Saint Andrew in Graboszyce.
When in Oświęcim, we cannot forget about the Chapel of St Hyacinth related to the Dominican tradition and the Marian Shrine in Płoki with the precious icon of the Mother of God. In turn, the early 18th century Baroque church of St John Cantius in Kęty impresses with a one-nave facade, a barrel vault and a beautiful high altar. Being in the area, it is also worth seeing the church of Sts Simon and Jude, Apostles in Nidek and the church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Płaza. 

All these sacred sites will certainly charm everyone who decides to visit them, and many tourists will find interesting the history that each of these places hides.

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Recommended bicycle trails

Below you’ll find list of recommended bicycle trails in Małopolska, from short, local trails to long-distance national and international ones. The list includes suggestions for all, from beginner cyclists to intermediate and very advanced cycling tourists.

Note! Although we have tried to select those which are well maintained, the condition of  the trail markings on the ground may vary. We have included trails whose markings have been somewhat eroded through normal use, yet are as usable as ever.. Please refer each time to the description of the trail and use the attached GPX files.

Map of the trails available on the Geoportal of the Małopolska Infrastructure for Spatial Information (MIIP)

The map below shows a summary of all the listed bicycle trails (red) and the layout of the VeloMałopolska network (purple).

 

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