Ryjewo: Churches, forest path and cycling routes

• The Church of the Holy Family was built in the Neo-Gothic style in 1908–1909 and declared a sanctuary in 1934; it was established as a sanctuary again in 1987.
• The Ryjewo path runs through the forest alongside a stream that flows into a small lake. The path is by this lake at the entrance to the town from the direction of Sztum.
• The Green Cycling Route in the Gmina Ryjewo is 44 km long; the listed route starts and ends in Ryjewo.

The Church of the Holy Family combines Neo-Gothic architectural history with its role as a sanctuary. The protected historic site also includes the cemetery, the presbytery and the adjacent green space. The entry in the register of monuments of the Pomeranian Voivodeship is numbered 333/94 and dated 11 February 1994. From the church hill, views extend across the Vistula Valley and the surrounding forests as far as Gniew Castle.

The Church of “Bł. Michała Kozala” has a different architectural history: it was built in 1895 for the local Protestant community, rebuilt in 1988–1991, and now serves Catholics and the “bł. Michała Kozala” parish. It is also listed in the register of monuments of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, under number 131/89.

The town’s history also includes the former Evangelical cemetery on ul. Grunwaldzka, behind building no. 100. Its western section was established around the middle of the 19th century, while the eastern section dates from around 1895. The cemetery has been restored and maintained on an ongoing basis in recent years. These periods give the site a layered historical context, as the two sections of the same cemetery are not of the same age.

The path leads through the forest alongside a stream, all the way to where it flows into the small lake. Several bridges cross the stream, and seating along the way offers places to stop and rest. Nearly all coniferous and deciduous tree species found in Poland grow along the path. Some of the oaks there are designated natural monuments. This walk brings together water, forest and remarkable trees.

If you would prefer a longer route, the 118.1 km Kopernikowski Trail also passes through Ryjewo. It runs between Biała Góra and Kwidzyn. The forest path and this long-distance trail differ mainly in the type of route described: one is a walking path by a stream, the other a long route between two places.

In addition to the Green Cycling Route, cyclists can take a 23 km loop starting from Ryjewo. It passes through Jałowiec, Mątowskie Pastwiska, Benowo, Leśniczówka Benowo, the Swedish Ramparts, Leśniczówka Sarnowo and Borowiec before returning to Ryjewo. The loop and the 44 km Green Cycling Route are different ways to include Ryjewo as the start and end point of a route.

A recurring event of religious significance is the indulgence feast in honour of the Holy Family at the Church of the Holy Family. It takes place every year on the first Sunday after 15 August, and pilgrims come from the surrounding towns. If you are interested in pilgrimages and churches, you can connect this occasion with the history of the sanctuary.

For more ideas of places to visit, you can also explore Licze, Borowy Młyn, Gardeja, Rodowo, Sadlinki, Kwidzyn, Prabuty and Grabówko.

When does the indulgence feast take place in Ryjewo?

It takes place every year on the first Sunday after 15 August in honour of the Holy Family.

How long is the Green Cycling Route in the Gmina Ryjewo?

The listed route is 44 km long and starts and ends in Ryjewo.

What is historically distinctive about the former Evangelical cemetery?

The western section was established around the middle of the 19th century, while the eastern section dates from around 1895.

For the wider travel overview: Kwidzyn.