Discover Zgorzelecki: Lusatian architecture and nature

Zgorzelecki County lies on Poland’s southwestern edge, at the tripoint with the Czech Republic and Germany. It is known for its distinctive Lusatian half-timbered and log-building styles. Protected landscapes and routes offer further inspiration for planning a trip.

Lusatian architecture and collections

The largest concentration of Lusatian half-timbered houses can be seen in the municipality of Bogatynia. In Bogatynia, at ul. Waryńskiego 17, you will also find Dom Zegarmistrza, a beautifully restored example of a Lusatian half-timbered house. This offers a chance to explore the building style both as a regional tradition and through a named individual building.

The Muzeum Łużyckie in Zgorzelec researches and documents the history, culture and everyday life of the residents of Polish Upper Lusatia. Its permanent exhibition includes a fully furnished Lusatian room from the 17th/18th century. The Muzeum Kresów Wschodnich in Węgliniec collects mementos from the eastern border regions, from which residents who moved here after the end of the Second World War came.

The Stalag VIII A memorial site also has a historical information trail for visitors: the Ścieżka Pamięci. Its various stops offer different ways to learn about the region’s history through architecture, everyday life and remembrance.

Landscapes and routes

The Przełomowa Dolina Nysy Łużyckiej Natura 2000 site lies in Zgorzelecki County, in the municipalities of Bogatynia and Zgorzelec, along the Lusatian Neisse. It covers 1,661.7 hectares. The Torfowisko nad Węglińcem nature reserve in the municipality of Węgliniec is considerably smaller, at 1.35 hectares. It protects a transitional bog with native vegetation and a relict population of the bog pine Pinus x rhaetica.

The Uroczyska Borów Dolnośląskich covers 8,067.8 hectares in the municipality of Węgliniec. Located in the catchment areas of the Lusatian Neisse and Kwisa rivers, on poor sandy soils, it is one of the largest forest areas in Central Europe. Together, the bog, the Natura 2000 site and the forest complex illustrate the different scales of landscape in Zgorzelecki County.

The county is also home to the “Torfowisko pod Węglińcem” nature trail. The longer “Worek Turoszowski” tourist trail passes through the county and is 61.5 kilometres long. The ER-4 cycling route runs from Zgorzelec to Lwówek Śląski and also passes through the county. The routes can be described by different features: the ER-4 has named start and end points, while the Worek Turoszowski is defined by its total length. Before setting out, check the condition of the nature trail and the signage and condition of the ER-4.

Festivals, rail travel and choosing a hotel

The “Jakuby” Old Town Festival takes place simultaneously in Zgorzelec and Görlitz. The specific programme dates vary. If the festival is one of the reasons for your trip, check the current dates in advance.

Węgliniec railway station is one of the county’s main stations; other stations are located in Zgorzelec Miasto and Ujazd. As a railway junction, Węgliniec plays an important role in rail transport in Zgorzelecki County and the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. For specific connections, check the current timetable.

If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, first choose a focus: architecture in Bogatynia, museums and natural sites in Węgliniec, or urban history and the Jakuby Festival in Zgorzelec and Görlitz.

Discover more destinations: Zgorzelec, Jędrzychowice, Bierna, Bogatynia, Trójca, Pieńsk, Ruszów, Dłużyna Dolna, Sławnikowice

For the broader travel overview: Lower Silesia.