Discover Szczyglice: the Rudawa, cycling routes and local history

• Szczyglice lies at the southeastern edge of the Garb Tenczyński.
• The Rudawa flows around the village and turns east.
• VeloRudawa and the “Orlich Gniazd” cycling route pass through Szczyglice.
• The Chapel of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in 1936.
• The recreation and sports complex includes sports courts, a playground and a rest area with benches.

At the regional level, Szczyglice lies at the southeastern edge of the Garb Tenczyński. This ridge extends like a wedge between the Rów Krzeszowicki to the north and the Obniżenie Cholerzyńskie to the south. The description of the village thus connects two distinct landscape features: the ridge and the lowlands between which it lies.

The Rudawa is a key point of reference right by the village. It flows around Szczyglice, turns east, and its valley widens markedly as the river enters the Obniżenie Cholerzyńskie. To understand the geographical setting, you can consider the broader context of the Garb Tenczyński together with the described course of the river.

The S-52 is also a prominent feature in the description of the village: near Szczyglice, it crosses the valley on a long viaduct, then runs north on a high embankment above the built-up area. As a result, it almost divides the village in two. The river, valley and elevated road thus describe different aspects of the village’s spatial layout.

Within the Gmina Zabierzów, VeloRudawa runs through the sołectwa of Zabierzów, Szczyglice and Balice. This places Szczyglice along the route within the gmina. The “Orlich Gniazd” cycling route also passes through the village; Szczyglice is listed at 9.4 km in its route sequence.

The information offers different points of reference: for VeloRudawa, it identifies the route through the three sołectwa; for “Orlich Gniazd,” it gives the route sequence and the 9.4 km marker. If you plan to ride the “Orlich Gniazd” cycling route, check local conditions beforehand.

The Chapel of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in 1936 by Henryk Prącik, a lawyer from Kraków. Its significance in local history extends beyond religious life: it also became a place that brought the people of Szczyglice together beyond that context.

A precisely dated event connects the chapel with Pope John Paul II. On 1 May 1977, he celebrated Mass there. A plaque set into the entrance commemorates the service. The year it was built, its historical role and the commemorative plaque offer different ways into the history of the building: they tell of its origins, its importance to local residents and a specific event.

The recreation and sports complex in Szczyglice includes football, volleyball and basketball courts, a playground and a rest area with benches. It brings together three named ball sports, a play area and a place to sit. This provides a brief overview of the facility’s different features without tying their use to particular visiting hours or conditions.

Discover more destinations: Michałowice, Raciborowice, Kraków, Świątniki Górne, Niedźwiedź, Przybysławice, Wrząsowice, Krasieniec Zakupny.

Who built the Chapel of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus?

Henryk Prącik, a lawyer from Kraków, had it built in 1936.

What does the plaque at the chapel commemorate?

It commemorates the Mass that Pope John Paul II celebrated in the chapel on 1 May 1977.

What facilities does the recreation and sports complex include?

It includes football, volleyball and basketball courts, a playground and a rest area with benches.

For the broader travel overview: Kraków.