Leśna Podlaska: Sanctuary, town centre and nature

These include the sanctuary with its long history, the squares in the centre and two distinct forest areas. When planning your trip, consider whether church and art history, the townscape or nature are the main draw for you.

Sanctuary and church history

The church of the sanctuary in Leśna Podlaska was consecrated on 8 September 1758 under the patronage of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy apostles Peter and Paul. In 1984, it was elevated to the status of a minor basilica. The dates mark two distinct milestones: the consecration and its patronage, and the later elevation to minor basilica status.

The history of the town also includes the parish church of the Nativity of Mary and the holy apostles Peter and Paul, together with the Pauline monastery: both were plundered by Swedish troops in 1706. Another landmark is the Chapel of the Apparition of the Miraculous Image. It was built in 1718 at the traditional site of the apparition and still stands today.

The Marian image in the sanctuary is a relief carved from fieldstone. It is 29.3 centimetres wide, 31.4 centimetres high and 4.6 centimetres thick; it weighs 9.5 kilograms. Its exact measurements and material describe the image as a tangible work of art and add another perspective on the sanctuary to the historical details.

Town centre and historic park

In the centre of Leśna Podlaska are a triangular market square and an adjoining green square. The historic park is another, larger area in the town centre: it covers 3.5 hectares and lies behind the 17th-century building of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Leśna (Sanktuarium Matki Bożej Leśniańskiej) and the Wincenty Witos Agricultural Education Centre School Complex (Zespół Szkół Centrum Kształcenia Rolniczego im. Wincentego Witosa). The market square and green square shape the description of the central townscape, while the park is distinguished by its size and its location behind the two buildings.

Forests and natural monuments

The “Chmielinne” forest nature reserve (Las Chmielina) is under partial protection and covers 67.2 hectares. It was established in 1967 and lies in the central part of the municipality, within the village of Leśna Podlaska. The Biała Podlaska–Stara Kornica voivodeship road crosses the area.

The Kołowierz forest area (Las Kołowierzch) lies in the western part of the village of Leśna Podlaska, by the Klukówka River. Alders predominate among the trees. There are also five natural monuments there: three pedunculate oaks, including Dąb Miłości, and two common ash trees. Chmielinne is described as a partially protected forest nature reserve crossed by a road; Kołowierz combines its riverside location with its alder woodland and named tree monuments. The two nature sites thus differ in the features described for each.

Planned development in the park

A new, comprehensive tourist complex is planned for the historic park in the centre by the end of 2027. The project is part of an EU-funded initiative. A system of educational trails is also planned for the park, including a walking and cycling route just under 3.6 kilometres long. It is intended to lead from the town centre towards the nearby “Chmielinne” nature reserve.

If you want to take these planned facilities into account when planning your trip, check their current status beforehand. Leśna Podlaska already offers clear themes to help you choose between cultural and scenic attractions: the history of the sanctuary, the central townscape and the distinct natural features of Chmielinne and Kołowierz.

Discover more destinations: Międzyrzec Podlaski, Sławatycze, Biała Podlaska, Grabanów, Mokrany Nowe, Woskrzenice Małe, Kodeń, Rokitno.

For the broader travel overview: Bialski.