Opole County

• Established in 1990, Wrzelowiecki Landscape Park lies entirely within Opole County and covers 4,998 hectares. Its buffer zone covers 13,625 hectares.
• The part of Kazimierski Landscape Park located in the county covers 1,690 hectares; its buffer zone covers 4,560 hectares.
• Archaeological sites include early medieval hillforts and an open-air museum.
• The “Dolina Chodelki” route begins at the boundary between Opole County and Lublin County and ends in Podgórz.

In Wrzelowiecki Landscape Park, loess ravines, semi-natural forests and cultural monuments with remnants of palace parks shape the landscape. The flora also includes steppe communities. The designated areas represent different sizes: the landscape park and its buffer zone are listed separately and should not be treated as a single area when planning your visit.

Kazimierski Landscape Park also extends into Opole County. Its buffer zone lies in the municipalities of Karczmiska and Wilków. The Skarpa Dobrska nature reserve is characterised by ravines up to 40 metres deep, as well as xerothermic grassland on steep limestone and loess slopes. If you are interested in geological and botanical features, you will find different natural highlights here from the forests and ravines of Wrzelowiecki Park.

Kaliszany is home to a large quarry for limestone and chalk marl. Increasingly younger rocks dating from the end of the Mesozoic are exposed there. In Józefów nad Wisłą, the park of the 18th-century palace complex offers a view over the Vistula Valley.

The early medieval Chodlik hillfort is an archaeological site covering 9 hectares, with three concentric ramparts. Another way to explore archaeology is at the Grodzisko w Żmijowiskach open-air museum: it features reconstructed fortifications, a section of palisade, a gate and several residential huts. The two sites offer different ways to learn about early fortifications and settlements.

Grodzisko Żmijowiska is also a centre for experimental archaeology. Topics include historical pottery-making, metallurgy, tar production and food preparation; the centre currently supports archaeological experiments. During the season from May to September, organised groups can take themed tours, join pottery workshops and play the outdoor game “W poszukiwaniu zaginionego skarbu”. These seasonal activities are particularly relevant if you are planning a group visit.

Chodel is home to the Gothic-Renaissance parish church of Świętej Trójcy i Narodzenia Najświętszej Marii Panny, dating from the mid-16th century. Its features include an original ribbed vault in the chancel and Renaissance tombs of the Maciejewski family. In Józefów nad Wisłą, the Bernardine monastery complex includes the Baroque Corpus Christi Church, built between 1730 and 1743, the former Bernardine monastery, a bell tower and a grand gateway. In Bęczyn, the Gajewski family pottery workshop has been documented since 1753.

The “Dolina Chodelki” route begins at the boundary between two counties and ends in Podgórz. The wider regional area also features the Grodziska nad Chodelką themed hiking trail: it is about 15 km long and passes four signposted early medieval Slavic hillforts dating from the 8th to the 10th century, with information boards. Its approximate length and four stops offer concrete points of reference if you want to include this archaeological theme in your travel plans.

Explore places in the county further via the pages for Chodel, Laziska k Opola Lubelskiego, Podgórz, Poniatowa and Opole Lubelskie. At the same regional level, you will also find Łęczna, Lublin and Hrubieszów.

What makes Wrzelowiecki Landscape Park distinctive?

It covers 4,998 hectares and features loess ravines, semi-natural forests, cultural monuments with remnants of palace parks, and steppe communities, among other things. Its buffer zone covers 13,625 hectares.

How long is the Grodziska nad Chodelką hiking trail?

The themed trail in the wider regional area is about 15 km long and passes four signposted hillforts dating from the 8th to the 10th century, with information boards.

When are activities for organised groups available at Grodzisko Żmijowiska?

During the season from May to September, themed tours, pottery workshops and the outdoor game “W poszukiwaniu zaginionego skarbu” are offered.

What historic details does the church in Chodel offer?

The church, dating from the mid-16th century, has an original ribbed vault in the chancel and Renaissance tombs of the Maciejewski family.

For the broader travel overview: Lublin.