Sagan: Nature Trails and Cultural Heritage on the Bóbr

The Bóbr gives Sagan (Żagań) a distinctive landscape at its heart: it shapes the park and is also a setting for kayaking. Trails through green spaces, historic buildings and places of remembrance offer different ways to enjoy your stay—from nature and outdoor activities to architecture and history.

By the Bóbr: Trails and Parkland

The 9.5-kilometre Ścieżka Dzików trail runs along the Bóbr’s riverside meadows, its oxbow lakes and the pine forests of the extensive Lower Silesian Wilderness. Riverbanks, former river channels and forest are all part of the route. The Ścieżka Wiewiórek takes in a different landscape: it leads through Żagań’s park and palace complex, which covers more than 100 hectares and is shaped by the Bóbr.

Pałac Pałacowy Park, surrounding the Pałac Książęcy, features preserved vistas, mature trees and gently winding paths suitable for walking and relaxing. Its design combines a classical garden with a natural, romantic landscape. Carefully composed views and established green spaces sit side by side, while the river gives the park and palace complex its distinctive landscape character.

The Bóbr itself is also a defining landmark: it is regarded as a symbol of Żagań, particularly its park, and is a setting for numerous kayaking trips. The described kayaking route covers a stretch from Szprotawa to Żagań. Those interested in longer cycling routes will also find Żagań on the interregional Bałtyk–Karkonosze cycle route, which runs from Trzebież to Jelenia Góra.

Palace, Views and Themed Trails

The themed trail devoted to the heritage of Duchess Dorothea begins in front of the Pałac Książęcy. On a tour of the palace, visitors can see the grand halls and the arcaded courtyard. The combination of a themed trail and these named rooms gives a visit to the palace a historical and vivid context.

The Wieża Widokowa combines a recreational and historical function and offers views of Żagań and the surrounding green spaces. Another themed feature is the open-air Solar System installation. It is part of the “Śladami Johannesa Keplera w Żaganiu” tourist trail and adds an astronomical connection to the routes through the park and town.

Historic Sites in Żagań and the Surrounding Area

For centuries, the former Augustinian monastery was a centre of religious, scientific and intellectual life. The surviving medieval town walls also tell of an earlier function: built in the 14th century, they formed part of the town’s defensive system. The former Jesuit college and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul form a monumental religious and educational complex.

The Muzeum Obozów Jenieckich in Żagań is associated with the history of Allied prisoners of war. Nearby, Stalag Luft III was established in spring 1942, south of the town and west of the existing Stalag VIII C camp. This provides context for the site in the surrounding area, distinguishing it from the historic sites within Żagań.

Getting Around and Planning Your Visit

The 3-kilometre “Kamienne Ślady Przeszłości” tourist route begins at the gatehouse, which now serves as the Centrum Informacji Turystycznej in Żagań. The centre offers guided town tours primarily for organised groups. The date, duration and reservation details are arranged individually with the centre; confirm these arrangements before your visit, as booking details may change.

A guided experience at Winnica Saganum includes a tasting of wine and snacks among the vines. Check the booking arrangements before travelling. The road layout is also a useful reference when navigating a map: National Road 12 passes through Żagań as a bypass along the eastern and northern sides of the town.

Discover more destinations: Żagań, Gmina Szprotawa, Iłowa, Sulęciński, Powiat Żarski, Crossen An Der Oder, Strzelecko-Drezdenecki, Zielonogórski.

Return to the regional travel overview: Lubusz.