Conitz: History and Landscape

The Człuchowska Gate in Chojnice is a striking introduction to Conitz’s architectural history: the six-storey historic building has a square floor plan and was built in the Pomeranian Gothic style. The combination of defensive walls, city gates and a museum brings together medieval heritage and contemporary cultural life.

Museum, Old Town and Churches

Today, the Człuchowska Gate houses exhibition rooms belonging to the Historical and Ethnographic Museum. Across five floors, the museum presents permanent and temporary themed exhibitions; the museum as a whole is spread across six historic buildings along a preserved section of the medieval defensive walls. Exhibitions change, so the themes may vary from one visit to another.

Chojnice’s historic Old Town includes townhouses, the market square, the neo-Gothic town hall and a fountain. The churches also tell different chapters of the town’s history. The Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist was elevated to the status of a minor basilica on 11 March 1993. The Church of the Annunciation of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary has three naves and a façade with two towers. Its interior is distinguished by late Baroque furnishings and polychrome paintings by Franciszek Ksawery Haefflich. Jesuits built the church and also founded a school in Chojnice.

At the Eksperymentarium, visitors can explore history, nature and regional features through hands-on experiences and playful activities. This interactive approach complements the architectural and ecclesiastical history with regional themes; the exhibition content may evolve over time.

Landscape and Routes in Chojnice County

Zaborski Landscape Park lies in the northern part of Chojnice County and stretches across the municipalities of Brusy, Chojnice and Konarzyny. Its 48 lakes include protected, exceptionally clear lobelia and stonewort lakes. A dense network of walking, cycling and nature trails provides access to the lake district. The Kaszubska Marszruta adds to these options with around 200 kilometres of completed cycle paths in the county.

For a hike, the 55-kilometre Julian Rydzkowski Kashubian Walking Trail runs from Chojnice through Chojniczki, Bachorze, Stara Piła, Męcikał and Giełdon to Wiele. Check the current trail markings and conditions locally. Another cycling route runs for 166 kilometres from Bydgoszcz to Chojnice, passing through Rytel, Mylof, Drzewicz, Swornegacie and Bachorze along the way. Trail markings and surface conditions on this route may also change.

On the water, Zaborski Landscape Park offers a network of varied kayaking routes on the Brda and its tributaries, the Chocina, Zbrzyca, Młosina and Kłonecznica. Water conditions vary by season. This means there are different ways to plan a trip: cycle paths with a stated total length, a specifically described walking route and kayaking routes on several rivers.

Town Festival and Getting Around

Dni Chojnic is an annual town festival held in Tysiąclecia Park and at the Fosa Miejska. Dates and programme vary; if the festival is important to your trip, check the dates for your stay. This helps distinguish a seasonal event from the buildings and routes described as available year-round.

The road network also offers practical orientation: the main road transport axis in Chojnice County is National Road 22, which connects Chojnice and Czersk. The regional roads radiate out from Chojnice. These connections describe the regional road network; actual traffic conditions are a separate matter.

Discover more destinations: Krzyż, Konarzyny, Parszczenica, Leśno, Brusy, Olszyny, Charzykowy, Rytel, Swornegacie, Chojnice, Czersk, Męcikał, Pawłowo.

For the broader travel overview: Pomerania.