Discover Lipie: Nature and History

Lipie is home to a 15th-century Gothic church and the barely discernible ruins of an episcopal castle. The church tower was built in 1586; the castle was probably not built until the first half of the 14th century. Nature enthusiasts can visit the “Las wokół nas” forest trail, with information boards, games and life-size models of forest animals. The village is also home to an Environmental Education Centre and a 0.6 ha manor park.

The Gothic parish church of Matki Bożej Częstochowskiej is a listed building. Another description highlights the 15th-century Gothic church and its tower, topped by a circular coat of arms. The tower was built in 1586. The church therefore brings together a medieval structure and a feature with a precise date. If you are interested in architectural history, its name, style and tower shape offer concrete clues to Lipie’s historical character.

Unlike the church, the remains of the episcopal castle are now barely discernible. They are located in the northwestern part of the village, on a promontory above the Mogilnica River. The promontory lies about 25 m above the river. The castle took the form of a residential tower built of erratic boulders and bricks. Its rectangular ground plan measured 9.8 m by 18.2 m. It was probably not built until the first half of the 14th century. Visitors who assess historic sites not only by their surviving façades, but also by their layout, building materials and location, will find details here that differ from those of the Gothic church.

The “Las wokół nas” nature trail runs through a forest adjoining the Environmental Education Centre in Lipie. Information boards and games complement the route, while life-size models of forest animals bring the local wildlife into focus. These features give the trail its own emphasis: alongside walking, observation and playful learning are central. The trail is therefore a different way to explore Lipie than learning about the church and castle.

The Environmental Education Centre in Lipie is a fully accessible venue for environmental education. Workshops and conferences are held there. Together with the nature trail, the centre appeals to travellers who want to engage with nature not only as a landscape, but also as a subject for learning and events. The manor park adds a landscaped green space to the village’s varied features: it covers 0.6 ha and was laid out in the landscape style in the second half of the 19th century.

When looking for accommodation, you can start by considering which of these themes matter to your trip. The church and castle ruins invite you to explore Lipie’s architectural and local history. The nature trail and education centre offer a different focus, while the manor park represents historic landscape design. If you would like to explore other destinations separately, you can also visit Jastrzębniki, Slawoborze, Bad Polzin, Slawa, Redło, Świdwin, Kocury and Brzeźno.

What are the features of the “Las wokół nas” nature trail?

It runs through a forest area by the Environmental Education Centre and features information boards, games and life-size models of forest animals.

How is the episcopal castle described?

The barely discernible ruins stand on a promontory about 25 m above the Mogilnica River. The castle was a residential tower built of erratic boulders and bricks, with a rectangular ground plan.

What makes the manor park distinctive?

The park covers 0.6 ha and was laid out in the landscape style in the second half of the 19th century.

For the broader travel overview: Świdwin.