Wartbrücken

Koło County is home to two Natura 2000 sites, a landscape protection area, nature reserves and other designated natural areas. Culture enthusiasts will find, among other things, churches in various architectural styles, historic castle complexes and museums. Three cycling routes described here start in Koło and follow different sequences of places before returning to the town.

The Pradolina Bzury-Neru and Dolina Środkowej Warty Natura 2000 sites are located in Koło County. The Goplańsko-Kujawskie Landscape Protection Area is also located there. Other named protected and natural areas include the Kawęczyńskie Brzęki forest nature reserve, the Rogóźno nature reserve and the Dąbskie Błota ecological site.

The Bielce nature complex near Kościelec is another natural attraction described here. The different designations help distinguish the areas: Natura 2000 sites, a landscape protection area, a nature reserve, an ecological site and a nature complex are separate categories. If natural areas are an important part of your travel plans, you can use these names as starting points for a more detailed selection.

In Koło, buildings from different periods stand side by side: the parish church is Gothic in style and dates from around the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. The Bernardine Church and Bernardine Monastery are Late Baroque in style; their interiors feature Rococo furnishings. The main collection at the Museum of Ceramic Techniques consists predominantly of objects from the Koło stoneware factory. Museum events offer the opportunity to interact directly with ceramic products.

Other notable cultural sites are located in the other towns mentioned here. The Shrine of Our Lady of Victory in Brdów houses a historic image painted in the 15th century at the request of Władysław Jagiełło. The church in Kościelec represents Romanesque art; the restored Count Kreutz Palace was built after 1836. Castle ruins associated with the 14th and 15th centuries are located in Borysławice. The castle in Przedecz was built in the mid-14th century.

The grounds of the Kulmhof Museum in Chełmno are open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the museum is closed on Mondays. Pay particular attention to these days when planning your visit if you are only available on a specific day of the week.

The museum offers a guided tour service in English to visitors from abroad, including organized groups of Israeli young people. Tours must be booked at least three days in advance. If you would like a guided tour, allow for this lead time and plan to make your request before your visit.

The Gothic Route of Koło County leads to churches, cathedrals, monasteries, town halls, fortified castles, ruins and town walls built between the 14th and 16th centuries. This route is therefore suited to travelers who want to make several types of historic buildings the focus of their explorations. Hiking trails are also among Koło’s tourist attractions.

For cycling trips, three routes starting from Koło provide a useful guide. Cycling Route No. 1 runs via Dobrów, Police Mostowe, Police Ruszkowskie, Police Średnie, Białków Kościelny, Leszcze II, Dąbrowice, Trzęśniew Mały, Trzęśniew, Waki and Ochle to Dzierawy, then back to Koło. Cycling Route No. 2 runs via Zawadka, Rzuchów, Majdany, Ladorudzek, Tarnówka, Grzegorzew, Stellutyszki and Powiercie; the return route goes via Zawadka to Koło.

Cycling Route No. 3 runs from Koło via Borki, Młynek, Budzisław Stary, Drzewce, Smólniki, Plebanki, Kolonia Lipiny, Lipiny, Lichenek, Babiak, Zakrzewa, Brzezie, Lubotyń, Góraj, Mchowo, Wiercin, Radoszewice, Polonisz, Brdów, Nowiny Brdowskie, Osówie, Kiełczew, Kiełczewek, Boguszyniec and Mikołajówek, and back to Koło. Another historical option is the Bunker and Fortification Route in Koło, which leads to Polish and former German bunkers and fortifications from the Second World War.

For further destinations to consider, you can also look at Lubiny, Grabiny, Dąbie and Brdów. Other destinations to compare include Schroda, Turek, Słupca County and Grätz.

When is the Kulmhof Museum open?

The museum grounds are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays.

How far in advance do you need to book a guided tour?

Tours must be booked at least three days in advance. The museum offers a guided tour service in English for visitors from abroad.

What routes are available for cycling and cultural trips?

Three cycling routes described here start in Koło. They are joined by the Gothic Route of Koło County, hiking trails in Koło and the Bunker and Fortification Route in Koło.

For the regional travel overview: Greater Poland.