Drzewica: Lakeside Experiences and History

• On the north shore, there is a lit and marked walking and cycling path, 508 metres long and established in 2010.
• The free, supervised bathing area at 2 Zdrojowa Street has a beach and a beach volleyball court.
• Historic sites include St Luke’s Church and the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in front of the church.

Zalew Drzewicki is a place for recreation and leisure. On the north shore, the 508-metre walking and cycling path offers a short, clearly defined stretch for a walk by the water. It was established in 2010 and is lit and marked. You can plan the path as a separate part of your stay at the Zalew, rather than treating it as a longer cycling route.

A floating, T-shaped jetty is located next to the path. It consists of two sections and an access gangway, and is 15.4 metres long in total. The path and jetty are two distinct features of the waterfront: one is designed for walking and cycling, while the other is a floating structure on the water.

There is a free, supervised bathing area with a beach and beach volleyball court at 2 Zdrojowa Street. Before your visit, check whether supervision is currently in place. The Drzewica Sports and Recreation Centre at the Zalew is a local hub for water sports and operates from May to September; for travel planning, it is worth checking the stated operating period.

St Luke’s Church was founded in 1315 by the Drzewicki family. In 1321, Wojciech Drzewicki made it a parish church. A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, donated by Ludwika Szaniawska in 1788, stands in the square in front of the church. The two dates in the church’s history and the date of the statue provide a timeline for the historic sites in the centre.

Today, most of Plac Wolności in the historic centre is occupied by a park, laid out in the 1950s and planted with lime and acacia trees. The history of Zalew Drzewicki goes back further: it was created to supply water to a blast furnace, construction of which Filip Szaniawski began in 1760. For this purpose, water was dammed at a suitable location to form a pond covering 8.6 hectares. This historical area figure describes the pond at the time, not the current extent of the Zalew.

Canoe slalom is also part of Drzewica’s sporting history: slalom canoeing began locally in 1978, when a canoeing section was founded. A new kayak course was officially opened in 2005 and was then among the most modern slalom facilities in Europe.

Quest routes can be completed using the free-to-download “Questy - Wyprawy Odkrywców” app or Quest maps. Maps are available at the Regional Cultural Centre and Drzewica Town Hall; check their availability before your visit. This gives you two different ways to follow the Quest routes: using the app on your smartphone or using a map.

A described cycling route runs along Kilińskiego Street to Plac Wolności. There is also a playground by the walking and cycling path on the north shore. The town of Drzewica describes it as the best-equipped playground of its kind. If you are planning a visit with children, you can include it as a separate activity; this comparative assessment comes from the town.

Discover more destinations: Celestynów, Małoszyce, Opoczno.

How long is the walking and cycling path at the Zalew?

The lit and marked path on the north shore is 508 metres long. It was established in 2010.

When is the Sports and Recreation Centre open?

The centre at Zalew Drzewicki is stated to operate from May to September. Check the period when planning your trip.

How can you complete the Quest routes?

You can use the free-to-download “Questy - Wyprawy Odkrywców” app or get Quest maps at the Regional Cultural Centre and Drzewica Town Hall. You should check the maps’ availability in advance.

For the main travel overview: Opoczno.