Discover Olszyna: Churches, History and Motopark

Olszyna offers several distinct themes to help you plan your trip: church architecture, motorsport and a walking route to the edge of the forest. If you are looking for a hotel in Olszyna, first decide which focus you want to shape your trip. The town’s history is reflected in its buildings and architectural details; Motopark and the route appeal to different interests.

Churches and architectural history

The neo-Gothic red-brick church was built in 1897. It once served as a Protestant church; today it serves the parish of św. Józefa Oblubieńca NMP. Its tower shapes Olszyna’s skyline. The interior also brings together different periods: it contains a Renaissance high altar from 1652, a Baroque-Classical baptismal font from the 18th–19th century, and electrical fittings from the 19th century. The contrast between the neo-Gothic exterior and the older furnishings makes the building’s history especially vivid. If you would like to visit the interior, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

A second point of interest is the Church of Podwyższenia Krzyża Św. in Olszyna. It is mentioned in documents from 1314 and is an east-facing, single-nave stone building. Its wooden, polychrome coffered ceiling dates from 1614. Among the plant ornaments are depictions of Christ, the Apostles, John the Baptist and the Angel of Peace. Polychrome means decorated in multiple colours; together with the motifs, this draws the eye to the colourful ceiling. The church’s earlier furnishings also included a Renaissance high altar from 1652. Unlike the tower of the neo-Gothic church, which shapes the skyline, here the focus is on a richly detailed feature inside.

A lost palace

The Baroque palace in Olszyna adds another chapter to the history of its churches. It was built in 1704, restored in the 19th century and destroyed by fire in 1959; it was never rebuilt. The sequence of construction, restoration and destruction traces a clear change in the town’s history and sets the palace apart from the church buildings, with their preserved architectural and decorative details.

Motorsport at Olszyna Motopark

Olszyna Motopark offers another reason to visit. The grounds cover 502,000 square metres, and the off-road racecourse is almost 30 kilometres long. The international competitions King Of Poland and GORM24 are held on the course every year. If you are travelling for a competition, check the exact event dates in advance so you can plan your stay for the right date.

Walking route to the edge of the forest

For a walk, a route leads from the main road, ul. Wolności, along a footpath beside the bypass and reaches the edge of the forest after about two kilometres. A blue trail runs from there. If you plan to take this route, check the path’s condition and markings locally before setting out.

A viewpoint in the municipality

Rajskо Castle is located in Zapusta, within the municipality of Olszyna. From its tall tower, the view stretches over wooded slopes and a reservoir to Czocha Castle, reflected in the waters of Jezioro Leśniańskie. This view adds a landscape perspective in Zapusta to Olszyna’s architecture. Your trip can therefore take in several different highlights: historic churches in Olszyna, motorsport and the view from Rajsko Castle.

Discover more destinations: Zapusta, Nawojów Łużycki, Pobiedna, Marklissa, Lauban, Wolimierz, Bad Flinsberg, Jałowiec.

For the broader travel overview: Lubański.