Green Velo

A short recreational route in the form of a loop leading from Sandomierz to the north through Dwikozy and the Pieprzowe (Pepper) Mountains. Mainly using asphalt roads with little traffic, the trail goes through picturesque orchards, meadows and fields and gives you the chance to enjoy some attractive views from the Pieprzowe Mountains of Sandomierz and the Vistula Valley. Highlights along the route include the historic monuments in Sandomierz and, in the northern part, the ruins of the Chapel of St. Roch. Between Nowe Kichary and Dwikozy, the route leads through the Opatówka Valley, though the marking along the way is fairly weak so it would be a good idea to consider using a map or GPS.

Sandomierz, ul. Żeromskiego (0.0 km) → Rzeczyca Sucha (4.4 km) → Nowe Kichary (6.8 km) → Dwikozy (11.2 km) → Mściów (14.7 km) → Kamień Łukawski (18.5) → Sandomierz, ul. Browarna (23.0 km)

• Lenght: 23.0 km
• Time: 2 hours (5 hours with sightseeing)
• Type: Cross, touring
• Elevation: 202 m
• 88% asphalt roads, 7% gravel roads, 5% unpaved roads
• Easy route
• Poor marking, blue bike trail

Getting there and starting out

The route begins in the centre of Sandomierz, on ul. Żeromskiego, and ends back in the same town near ul. Browarna, thus making a loop. There are numerous pay-and-display car parks in the centre of Sandomierz, one of which is located at the beginning of the trail, or you can park for free near the intersection of ul. Rybitwy and Al. Jana Pawła II. It is also possible to get to Sandomierz by train (only on weekends during the high season).

Technical description

Take ul. Żeromskiego out of the city centre. Then head north, crossing national road no. 79 as you go. After riding through the hilly area of the Sandomierz Upland, you will reach Nowe Kichary, having had to ride a few short sections on dirt paths and unpaved roads. Before entering the village, you’ll see a historic column in the fields on your left. This is one of the so-called latarnie chocimskie – tall lanterns that were most likely constructed to show travellers the way. In Nowe Kichary, you will see the ruins of the Chapel of St. Roch. Once you enter Opatówka Valley, the route turns towards the east, heading to Dwikozy along the river. Your attention will be drawn to the interesting geology along the way, which is clearly visible in the quarries and on the riverbank. Look out for the wine cellars in the loess ground that belong to the Sandomierska Vineyard. The vineyard welcomes visitors, and offers tasting sessions and wines for sale. Next, you will go through Dwikozy, a place that is known for the eponymous fruit and vegetable producer that comes from there. What fewer people know, however, is that the well-known Polish writer Wiesław Myśliwski was also born here. From here, head south towards the Pieprzowe Mountains, passing through Mściów and Kamień Łukawski along the way. When you reach the latter, it’s worth taking a short 500 m detour off the trail to the left, to a viewing point with benches offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area. At this point, you are close to Sandomierz again, and the route ends on ul. Browarna in the Old Town.      

Attractions along the way:

1. Ruins of the Chapel of St. Roch and St. Hyacinth in Nowe Kichary

These mysterious ruins are the remains of a defensive manor house that stood here in the 17^th century. At one time, it was owned by the Benedictine nuns from Sandomierz, and a chapel was arranged in the tower, which is still standing today. Despite the major destruction it suffered during the war, it is still possible to see the remains of some of the fresco paintings.

1. Pepper Mountains

These mountains take their name from the nearly 500-million-year-old Cambrian rocks that have oxidised and been eroded away by the elements to leave them looking like crushed pepper grains. This area has the largest concentration of wild rose species in Europe – with as many as 15 being found here. The Pepper Mountains are an excellent viewing point for Sandomierz, the Vistula Valley, the southern edge of the Lublin Upland and the Sandomierz Lowland.

1. Sandomierz

One of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Poland, it has a well-preserved, original 14^th century urban layout with a number of historic monuments and museums. It is a good idea to start your sightseeing in the market square, which is dominated by the town hall built at the turn of the 15^th century. The square is surrounded by richly decorated tenement houses, and there is also an underground tourist route below the surface. The late-Romanesque Church of St. James is a real gem here. Built in 1226, it is one of the oldest brick churches in Poland. King Kazimierz the Great founded the Gothic Cathedral of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1360) and also the Royal Castle, which now houses the District Museum. Other historic monuments include the Długosz House from 1476 (now the Diocesan Museum), the 15^th century Opatowska Gate, and the Dominican Gate known as the “Needle’s Eye”. One of the tenement buildings in the market square houses a unique exhibition dedicated to the popular Polish TV show, “The World of Father Mateusz”. The Collegium Gostomianum, one of the oldest secondary schools in Poland, which was founded in 1602, towers above the town and is beautifully illuminated at night.

District Museum (MPR – Miejsce Przyjazne Rowerzystom; Cyclist-Friendly Place), ul. Zamkowa 12, tel. +48 15 644 57 57,

www.zamek-sandomierz.pl

Diocesan Museum, ul. Długosza 9, tel. +48 15 833 26 70,

www.domdlugosza.sandomieerz.org

“The World of Father Mateusz” Exhibition, ul. Rynek 5, tel. +48 534 883 883,

www.swiatojcamateusza.pl