Green Velo

The trip starts in the Kodeń village on the Bug river that is well-known due to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kodeń the Queen of Podlasie and the Mother of Unity – the Basilica of St. Anne, which served as an Orthodox church at the turn of the 20^th century. It is one of the most magnificent temples in southern Podlasie. The building was erected in the 1^st half of the 17^th century in late Renaissance style with unique local features characterising the Lublin Renaissance – the architectural style that developed in this land. In the main altar of the basilica there is a miraculous painting of Our Lady of Kodeń (called also the Gregorian Mother of God or Our Lady of Guadalupe) that was kept in the papal chapel in the Vatican until the 17^th century. The first stage of the trip leads from Kodnie through Choroszczynka to Dąbrowica Duża. On the way, it is worth noticing roadside shrines from the turn of the 20^th century. Then the trail runs south towards Tuczna. In this village, there is the parish church of St. Anne erected in the late 19^th century and a wooden post mill built in 1923. It is also an ideal place to rest. The next section of the trail runs through Międzylesie and Zabłocie. In both villages, there are Orthodox churches erected at the beginning of the 20^th century. The history of Orthodox churches in this land dates back to much earlier times, but, because of the turbulent course of history, the older Orthodox churches were destroyed and new temples were erected in their place. From Zabłocie, through Szostaki, the trail leads to the provincial road no. 816. When approaching it, you must turn left and, following the marks of the Green Velo Eastern Cycling Trail, return to Kodeń. Along the entire trail, you can see historic roadside crosses and shrines – inseparable parts of extensive landscapes in the Bug river area.

Trail option (43 km):

In Zabłocie, on the loop no. 59 of Cycling Trails of Southern Podlasie, you can turn left towards the loop no. 21. Here you must turn right towards Kodeń – a village situated around 1 km away. This variant of the trail runs on unsurfaced roads.

Course of the trail:

• Kodeń – 0 km
• Dąbrowica Duża – 14 km
• Tuczna – 18 km
• Międzyleś – 26 km
• Zabłocie – 31 km
• Kodeń – 44 km

Surface and marking of the trail:

93% of the trail runs on asphalt roads, and the remaining 7% consists of unsurfaced roads. On the Kodeń – Szostaki section, the trail overlaps with the Green Velo Eastern Cycling Trail; in the remaining part, it overlaps with the network of Cycling Trails of Southern Podlasie. Only a short section between Zabłocie and Szostaki runs beyond marked cycling trails.

Attractions on the trail:

• Sanctuary of Mother of God of Kodeń Queen of Podlasie and Mother of Unity in Kodeń
• Parish church of Anne in Tuczna
• Orthodox church of Anne in Międzylesie
• Orthodox church of Nicholas in Zabłocie

Tourist and Cultural Information Centre, ul. Warszawska 11, 21-500 Biała Podlaska,  phone/fax 83 342 62 89, e-mail: citbialapodlaska@o2.pl, www.cit.bialapodlaska.pl