Chełmiec: Green village and mining history

Chełmiec combines a clearly defined village layout with historical traces and several route itineraries. This offers various points of interest when choosing a travel destination: you can get your bearings in relation to the village’s location, its green-village layout or its mining history. The routes that include Chełmiec also differ in the order of the places they pass through.

Location and village landscape

Chełmiec lies at the foot of the Chełmy Hills, on the Starucha stream, 6 km west of Jawor. Its location is thus defined both by the landscape and by a specific connection to Jawor. The hills, stream and direction provide different points of reference for the village and its regional setting.

History and village layout

Chełmiec is first mentioned in 1202 under the name “Chelmecz”. Historically, the village belonged to the Cistercian Order of Lubiąż. The early mention of its name and its affiliation with the order highlight different aspects: a specific historical date and an institutional connection. Both form part of the village’s history, alongside the visible features of its layout.

Chełmiec has the layout of a green village. Its long, spindle-shaped green ends in the southwest at the church and cemetery. A green village is structured largely around the shape of its green; in Chełmiec, both its elongated form and its southwestern end are therefore important features of the village landscape.

The manor house in Chełmiec had an extensive, roughly elongated rectangular courtyard. The landscape park of the manor complex lay south of the castle. The castle stood in the center of the village and was destroyed after 1945. These historical details refer to different spatial features: the shape of the courtyard, the location of the park and the site of the castle.

Mining history and routes

One specific way to explore the mining history is the 5.0 km “Śladami kopaczy” educational trail. It runs between Chełmiec and Raczyce, following traces of polymetallic mining from the late 19th century. Its length, route and subject make it a distinctive feature among the local routes. Remains of mining tunnels have also been preserved in Chełmiec, providing another link to the village’s mining history. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the current condition of the educational trail and whether it is accessible.

The Brzeżyny hiking trail runs from Złotoryja via Leszczyna, Chełmiec and Myślibórz to Grobla and Bolków. The second Kopaczy Trail route starts in Chełmiec and continues via Jerzyków, Myślinów, Nowa Wieś Wielka, Lipa and Radzimowice to Wojcieszów. The places passed through differ considerably: Chełmiec lies between Leszczyna and Myślibórz on the Brzeżyny hiking trail, whereas it is the starting point of the second Kopaczy Trail route. This means the village can be understood both as a stop along a longer itinerary and as the starting point of this route.

Discover more destinations: Paszowice, Granowice, Kondratów, Męcinka, Bolków, Jastrowiec.

Go to the wider travel overview: Jawor.