Karthaus: Collegiate Church, Museum and Lakeside Paths

When looking for a hotel in Karthaus, you can choose the focus of your trip based on your interests: the collegiate church and the Kashubian Museum offer insights into the city’s culture and history; promenades, an arboretum and marked routes provide different perspectives on the surrounding area. The information below will help you consider these themes as you plan your trip.

Collegiate Church and Kashubian Cultural Heritage

The Gothic collegiate church in Karthaus dates back to the 14th century. It is one of Pomerania’s most valuable architectural monuments and unique on a national scale. As a testament to the work of the Carthusian Order, it links the city’s architectural history with its monastic tradition. A distinctive feature is its Baroque roof, shaped like a coffin lid: it symbolizes the Carthusian monks’ philosophy of life with the words “memento mori” — “Remember death.”

The Franciszek Treder Kashubian Museum presents Kashubian cultural heritage. Its themes include literature, material culture and language, as well as regional history and traditions. The exhibits are arranged across eight galleries in the main building. These include Bazyli’s forge, the exhibition “Kaszubska współczesność z korzeni wyrasta” and temporary exhibitions. This allows you to explore different aspects of regional cultural heritage in context.

Music is also part of the collegiate church’s cultural history. The series of summer organ concerts was renamed “Kartuski Festiwal Muzyki Organowej i Kameralnej” in 2008. A total of 140 concerts were held there between 1983 and 2019. A steam locomotive is also on display at the railway station as a technical monument and testament to Karthaus’s railway heritage; it was brought from Chojnice to Karthaus in 1992.

Promenades, Arboretum and Trails

The Promenada Asesora is a walking and cycling path along the shore of Jezioro Karczemne. It is connected to the Ławka Asesora, which serves as a viewpoint over Karthaus. The promenade is also a popular destination for excursions by locals and tourists alike. Another promenade was built on Jezioro Klasztorne Małe in 2020. This means that lakeside paths by two lakes are among the places described as starting points for your time in the city.

The Arboretum Leśników Kartuskich lies on the northwestern outskirts of the city. The grounds cover 4.03 hectares of managed woodland more than 100 years old. They are described as containing 23 species and varieties of woody plants, as well as more than 150 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs. A nature trail about one kilometer long runs through the arboretum. Its length gives you a reference point for planning your route; no walking time is specified.

The green Nordic walking route around Karthaus is a separate tour through changing landscapes: it starts and ends at the Ławka Asesora, runs entirely through the forest and follows wide, paved paths over hilly terrain. Small forest lakes lie close to the route. Another trail is Nordic Walking Route No. 1: it runs for 8.4 kilometers from the Ławka Asesora via Kosy and Bilowo to Karthaus and is listed as taking about two hours. Check the route details for Nordic Walking Route No. 1 before setting out.

The blue-marked Szlak Kartuski PTTK runs from Trójmiasto through the Kashubian Lake District to Karthaus. The green-marked Kartuska Nature Bike Route is also described for cyclists; it is just under 26 kilometers long. The different details — trail markings, route and length — help you distinguish the routes according to the type of tour you want. Also check the details for the Szlak Kartuski before your trip.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

There is a rail connection between Karthaus and Trójmiasto. An hourly service is listed for the summer; check the current timetable for your travel dates. The Tourist Information Center is located near the collegiate church in the Brama Kaszubskiego Pierścienia, ul. Klasztorna 1. If you need current opening hours or service details, check before your visit. This lets you consider cultural attractions, trails and travel connections together when choosing where to stay in Karthaus.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Widlino, Zukowo, Borowo, Brodnica Górna, Dzierzazno, Garcz, Golubie, Goreczyno, Kaliska, Kamienica Krolewska, Kartuzy, Lapalice, Mirachowo, Pierszczewo, Prokowo, Sianowo, Sianowska Huta, Somonino, Reskowo, Miechucino, Ostrzyce, Przewóz, Kiełpino, Leźno, Brodnica Dolna, Kamienicki Mlyn, Lemany, Mezowo, Sznurki, Kielpino K Kartuz, Ręboszewo, Wyczechowo, Czeczewo, Miszewko, Długi Kierz, Puzdrowo, Łączyno, Załakowo, Delowo, Nowa Sikorska Huta, Tokary, Chmielno, Borucino, Przyjaźń, Banino, Smołdzino, Wiezyca, Suleczyno, Sikorzyno, Grzybno, Egiertowo, Kczewo, Starkowa Huta, Stare Czaple, Rąb, Sulmin and Zgorzałe.

For the broader travel guide: Pomerania.