Staszów: Monastic Heritage, the Middle Ages and Water

For a trip to Staszów, you can choose from different themes: water sports at Zalew Chańcza, the monastic history of Rytwiany or medieval buildings in Szydłów. These places are in Staszów County and offer different starting points for planning your trip. Consider which topics interest you and when you would like to travel: the bathing beach in the southern part of Zalew Chańcza is a summer option, while monastic and architectural history offer other ways to explore the region.

Summer at Zalew Chańcza

The southern part of Zalew Chańcza is in Staszów County. In summer, you can visit the supervised bathing beach there. Other leisure activities mentioned include kayaking, boating and pedal boating, windsurfing, and motorised water sports. This means you can choose between swimming and various activities on the water. If you are planning your stay around the lake, note that the bathing beach is explicitly described as a seasonal offering. The other activities range from paddling to windsurfing and motorised water sports, so you can choose according to the type of activity that interests you.

Monastic history and collection in Rytwiany

In Rytwiany, the Pustelnia Złotego Lasu is a tourist and pilgrimage centre. It is open to everyone seeking peace and contemplation. The Camaldolese monastery complex dates from the 17th century and is one of the most important Polish monastic complexes of the first half of that century. Its historical context makes Rytwiany a fitting focus for travellers interested in religious history.

The Galeria Kamedulska is also part of the Pustelnia. Old paintings, memorabilia and exhibits on the history of the hermitage monastery in Rytwiany offer insights into different aspects of monastic heritage. Together, you can explore the character of the complex and the evidence on display in the gallery: one theme is the 17th-century Camaldolese complex, and the other is the history of the hermitage monastery reflected in the collection.

Medieval architecture in Szydłów and Staszów

Szydłów is known for its well-preserved medieval town plan and defensive walls. The walls were built from local limestone in the 14th century. The town layout and fortifications reveal two related but distinct aspects of architectural history: the structure of the medieval town and its stone defences.

Szydłów Royal Castle includes a private royal chamber and medieval hypocaust heating systems. Following its revitalisation in 2019, the palace was roofed and adapted for visitors. The Muzeum Zamków Polskich in the Skarbczyk displays ten 3D models of castles, including two models of Szydłów. Here, you can explore different aspects of castle history in one place: architectural features at the Royal Castle and models that bring castles to life.

Staszów itself also offers evidence of medieval architectural history. The church of St Bartholomew (pw. św. Bartłomieja) was built in 1342–1343 as a Gothic church of stone and brick. When planning a stay, you can therefore consider the history of Staszów and the fortifications and castles in Szydłów as distinct cultural interests.

Another regional highlight

The Zespół Pałacowy w Kurozwękach also plays a role in tourism development in Staszów County. The palace’s history dates back to the 14th century. Along with the sites in Szydłów, it broadens the picture of historic architecture, while Rytwiany focuses on monastic heritage. These different themes can help you decide which places matter most for your trip to Staszów.

Whether you want to spend summer by the water, explore monastic history or discover medieval architecture, the themes described here differ clearly in subject and season.

Discover more destinations: Oleśnica, Osiek, Skarżysko-Kamienna, Korytnica, Kurozwęki, Budy, Rytwiany, Staszów, Wiązownica Mała.

Go to the main travel overview: Holy Cross Voivodeship.