Borowo: Mosaic Church, History and Cycling Route

• Borowo lies along a former Gdańsk–Kartuzy transport route, near the Borkowskie Lakes.
• Its loosely defined linear settlement pattern developed in the 20th century from an earlier cart settlement.
• Borowo’s church is sometimes called the “Kashubian Ravenna” because of the beauty and scale of its mosaics.
• A cycling route has been established between Borkowo and Borowo.
• A playground opened in 2022 on the site of a former campground.

The church is a prominent cultural landmark in the town: its mosaics have earned it the occasional nickname “Kashubian Ravenna.” The settlement’s history reveals another side of Borowo. Its linear settlement pattern is loosely defined and developed in the 20th century from an earlier cart settlement. Historically, Borowo also lay on a trade route to Western Pomerania.

One specific date in the town’s history is 1209, when the Pomeranian princes Mestwin and Świętopełk donated the lands of Borowo to the Norbertine convent in Żukowo. A much more recent milestone came with the establishment of the parish of Christ the King of the Universe in Borowo, founded effective January 10, 1982. A look at the town thus brings together medieval history and more recent institutional development.

For cyclists, the established connection between Borkowo and Borowo is a practical point of reference. As part of the project, information boards and solar lamps were installed, and the existing tourist infrastructure was modernized. These details describe the work carried out for the project, not the route’s current condition. Before setting off, check local path conditions and the state of the signage.

A playground is also part of the documented history of the town: it opened on May 19, 2022, on the site of a former campground and was created as a place for relaxation, leisure and children’s play. If the playground is important to your plans, check its current access and condition before visiting.

The wider travel destination of Kartuzy includes the town of Kartuzy, with its own cultural and natural attractions. The Gothic collegiate church there dates from the 14th century, bears witness to the work of the Carthusian Order and is considered one of Pomerania’s most valuable architectural monuments. It is unique within the country. One of its distinctive features is the Baroque roof shaped like a coffin lid, symbolizing the Carthusian monks’ monastic way of life with the words “memento mori” (“remember that you must die”).

The Franciszek Treder Kashubian Museum in Kartuzy presents literature, material culture, language, and regional history and traditions. Its exhibits are displayed in eight galleries in the main building and include Bazyli’s forge, the exhibition “Kaszubska współczesność z korzeni wyrasta” and temporary exhibitions. This gives Kartuzy its own cultural focus alongside Borowo’s mosaics and local history.

The natural attractions in Kartuzy also differ from Borowo’s surroundings. The Arboretum Leśników Kartuskich is on the northwestern edge of the town and covers 4.03 hectares of a managed forest more than 100 years old. It is home to 23 species and varieties of woody plants, as well as more than 150 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs. A nature trail about 1 km long runs through the arboretum.

If you are looking for a hotel in Borowo, base your choice on your specific plans: the church mosaics and local history appeal to different interests than the cycling route between Borkowo and Borowo. When comparing accommodation, check which location suits the places you actually plan to visit during your trip. The cultural and natural attractions in Kartuzy are part of the wider travel destination of Kartuzy and form a separate regional focus.

Discover more destinations: Brodnica Górna, Zukowo, Mirachowo, Smołdzino, Starkowa Huta, Rąb, Wiezyca, Dzierzazno

Why is the church sometimes called “Kashubian Ravenna”?

The nickname refers to the beauty and scale of the mosaics in Borowo’s church.

Which cycling route is associated with Borowo?

A cycling route has been established between Borkowo and Borowo. Information boards and solar lamps were installed as part of the project. Check local path conditions before setting out.

When did the playground in Borowo open?

The playground on the site of a former campground opened on May 19, 2022, as a place for relaxation, leisure and children’s play. Check its current access and condition before visiting.

For the wider travel guide: Kartuzy.