Discover Wąwolnica: Museum, Marian shrine and medieval traces

Wąwolnica can be explored through its local history and religious heritage. The museum, the chapel of the Marian shrine and the medieval wall remains represent different historical themes; two marked routes also include the town in hiking and cycling trails. When planning your trip, the collections and architectural evidence may therefore be just as important as deciding whether you would like to plan a section on foot or by bike.

Museum: collection and local history

The exhibition at the Wąwolnica Museum is located on the lower floor of the castle church, built in the 14th century. The upper floor, which has been remodelled several times, is the Chapel of Our Lady of Kębło. The museum was founded in 1995 on the initiative of the board of Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Wąwolnicy and the parish priest at the time, ks. infułat Jan Pęzioł.

The collection includes 18th-century liturgical vestments and vessels, well-preserved, leather-bound books from the 17th century, and a 16th-century sculpture of Christ. A model made in 1996 depicts Wąwolnica in the 15th century; it was based on rediscovered court books from that century.

The museum also displays some sculptural and drawing works by the brothers Józef and Stanisław Gosławski. It also holds several drawings donated by the family, which Józef Gosławski made before restoration work on the House Under Saint Nicholas in Kazimierz Dolny. Together with the historical books and liturgical objects, these works offer further insight into the collection's themes.

Kębelska Madonna and Marian shrine

The Kębelska Madonna is made of linden wood and dates from around 1440. The figure was transferred to the church in Wąwolnica. It is 85 centimetres tall and 27 centimetres wide at its widest point. Its creation is attributed to an as-yet unidentified workshop in Silesia or Pomerania.

The chapel of the Marian shrine is considered the oldest architectural monument in the town and is located by the parish church of Saint Adalbert. The main surviving feature of the original building is the 17th-century Renaissance marble portal. The chapel and portal offer a distinct perspective on Wąwolnica's religious and architectural history.

Medieval traces on the church hill

Low, small fragments of the medieval castle walls remain on the church hill. These include the foundation of a cylindrical tower in the southern castle wall. These remains add an architectural record of the medieval castle complex to the themes of the museum and Marian shrine.

Hiking trail and cycle route

The 60-kilometre, red-marked Western Wyżynny hiking trail runs from Kazimierz Dolny via Rąblów, Wąwolnica, Nałęczów, Wojciechów, Motycz and Dąbrowica to Lublin. Wąwolnica is therefore on a longer route between the two stated endpoints.

The cycle route between Lublin and Kazimierz Dolny, also marked in red, is 62 kilometres long. It runs via Rąblów, Kębło, Wąwolnica, Nałęczów, Wojciechów, Miłocin and Dąbrowica. Both routes have the same endpoints, but differ in mode of travel, length and some of the places along the way. This information can help you choose a route type that suits your trip plans. Check local trail conditions and markings before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Bochotnica, Janowiec, Końskowola, Lysa Gora, Kębło, Rablów, Nałęczów, Strzyżowice

See the wider travel overview: Puławski.