Chustki: Sandstone Madonna and Cycling Route

Two themes stand out for a trip to Chustki: the Madonna carved from local sandstone and a cycling or skiing loop that can optionally include the village. The figure is linked to a historical tradition; the route offers a way to include Chustki in a longer excursion.

Cycling or skiing route with an optional detour

A 2011 municipal guide describes a cycling or skiing route of about 30 kilometres, starting and ending in Szydłowiec. It passes through the valleys of the Korzeniówka and Szabasówka rivers and through Krzcięcin, Korzyce, Omięcin, Wysoka, the Marianka Chapel and Zdziechów before returning to Szydłowiec. Chustki can optionally be included after Zdziechów.

The approximate 30 kilometres refer to the route as described, not just to the section through Chustki. When planning, you can decide whether to take the possible detour. As the route’s current marking has not been confirmed, check the route and signs before setting out.

The Madonna of Chustki and her story

The Madonna of Chustki was carved from local sandstone and dates from 1898. Between the two world wars, it was a place of veneration and a pilgrimage destination. The figure therefore has both a specific historical date and a religious significance passed down through tradition.

A 2011 municipal account reports that the Madonna stopped weeping when the Second World War broke out. According to eyewitness accounts, she had previously wept bloody tears. The Church did not recognize the reported phenomenon as a miracle; scientific investigations were unable to determine its cause. According to tradition, it was believed that the Madonna had wanted to warn people of an impending danger, but that her signs had not been correctly interpreted. This interpretation is recorded as a belief from that time.

Directions from the E77

A 2011 municipal guide locates the Madonna to the right of the E77 when travelling from Radom to Szydłowiec, just beyond the junction with the local road to Zdziechów. Check the directions at the turnoff before setting out.

Additional cultural and cycling context in the wider Szydłowiecki destination

In the wider Szydłowiecki destination, Szydłowiec offers its own cultural and historical attractions. The castle there was built as a brick castle by Stanisław Szydłowiecki between 1470 and 1480. It stands on an artificially raised island in the Korzeniówka floodplain. The Muzeum Ludowych Instrumentów Muzycznych, founded in 1968, displays its collections in the castle chambers, including three permanent exhibitions. It is considered the world’s first independent museum dedicated to folk musical instruments.

The Eksperymentarium Dźwięku is also located in one of the castle’s oldest chambers. It is a unique venue in Poland where visitors can play rare musical instruments and create digital compositions. If you plan to visit, check the museum’s opening hours.

The cycling routes in Szydłowiec also offer a useful comparison of distances for planning: Cycling Route No. 1 is 23 kilometres long, with a 33-kilometre variant; it passes through Szydłowiec PKP, Sadek and Barak before returning to Szydłowiec. Cycling Route No. 6 is 25 kilometres long and also starts and ends in Szydłowiec. The loop that can optionally include Chustki is described as about 30 kilometres long. Check the condition of Cycling Route No. 1 before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Szydłowiec, Sulistrowice, Jastrząb, Chlewiska, Ostałówek.

Return to the wider travel overview: Szydłowiecki.