Monthly Archives: November 2015

The little charming town of Kożuchów, western Poland, surrounded by amazing 8-metre high medieval city walls, is located on a historic trade route. The fortification is among the best preserved in Poland.

Castle

The castle of Kozuchów was the seat of the Teilherzogtum Freystadt, part of the Duchy of Głogów. The first mention of the city is a document by the Głogów Duke Henryk III, issued in 1273. Eighteen years later, the city was granted special rights. The first castle was built with bastions that surrounded a rectangular courtyard, a round tower, and a residential building. Later, there was a monastery, which still can be recognized in the halls. The concert hall, the regional hall, and the knight cellar are impressive rooms.

Today, the castle is the seat of the Cultural Centre “Zamek”, which organizes many competitions, events, concerts, and exhibitions.

Opening hours: daily 8.00 – 18.00.

Medieval church

The history of the Parish Church of Our Lady of Thunder in Kożuchów dates back to the 13th century. Despite numerous fires, the church was rebuilt several times – therefore its architecture combines elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. The church’s inside is from the latter period. This beautiful church is home to the yearly Henrykowski Organ and Chamber Music Festival, taking place in August.

Henrykowski Organ and Chamber Music Festival

The church has been restored in 2017: the walls, the roof, and the arches. The restoration of the building of Caritas and the altar in the church is planned.

Town fortification

At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, the city was surrounded by a 8 meters high city wall made of fieldstones. The medieval city walls are almost completely preserved until today. Parts of the drained city ditch are even 20 meters wide. Walk along the city wall on the former city ditch, and have a rest on one of the benches with a nice view on the fortification.

The illumination of the walls and of the castle invites you to a romantic evening walk. Especially in winter when it gets dark early, you will feel the romantic atmosphere of the medieval city.

Illuminated medieval city walls

City gates

In the Middle Ages, the city walls could be passed through three gates: Głogowska gate, Krośnieńska gate – also called Katowska bastion – and Żagańska gate. A fourth gate was probably built in the 15th century: Szprotawska gate. All gates were demolished in 1819, only the bastion of the Krośnieńska gate has been preserved. The Krosnieńska Bastion is now a museum.

The Krosnieńska Bastion houses a museum.

Regional Museum

Learn more about the history of Kożuchów in the Regional Museum in the Krośnieńska Bastion. The exhibition shows Knight’s armor, historical postcards from the years 1899-1945, municipal documents and letters from the 17-19th century, city chronicles, city and district guides, maps, and iconography. A part of the bastion is converted into an apartment. From the outside, you can still recognize the four-story building with loopholes.

Opening hours: daily 10.00 – 18.00.

More information on the Kożuchów fortification system you will find on: https://medievalheritage.eu

Travel to western Poland and visit Kożuchów

You can visit the castle, the Lapidarium and the Regional Museum with a tour guide (phone: + 48 68 355 35 36):

• Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11:00 19:00
• Saturday, Sunday 10:00 18:00

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Kożuchów, as one of the oldest Polish cities, organises among others events which reflect its rich history. The last weekend in May is traditionally a great holiday filled with colourful parades, concerts and a spectacular knight’s tournament taking place near the medieval city walls. The Kożuchów knight’s tournament is one of many interesting knight’s tournaments and re-enactment of battles in Poland.

Medieval traditions

Hear the Celtic, medieval and Baroque bagpipe sounds in the Castle and on the streets of Kożuchów until late in the evening. See the inhabitants of Kożuchów in the colourful parade marching through the town and visit the medieval fair with handicraft, traditional food and a medieval atmosphere.

Knight’s Tournament and re-enactment of the battle of Kożuchów

Among the most interesting annual events is the Knight’s Tournament which takes place during the Kożuchów Days. The Knight’s Tournament starts with a Latin mess in the Parish church with the participation of knights and ladies in medieval costumes. You will hear the oldest Polish hymn “Bogurodzica” (Mother of God). During three days of fun there is no shortage of booths with tasty regional food. After a day of struggle of chivalry and archery you can see the exciting re-enactment of the battle of Kożuchów from 1476. The day ends with a spectacular fire show.

See the impression of the Knight’s Tournament in 2017:

Come and celebrate the Kożuchów Days and Knight’s Tournament on the 26th-27th of May 2017 !

The Knight’s Tournament will take place on Saturday May the 26th at 12.00 o clock. In the evening from 19.00 till 20.00 o’clock you can see the re-enactment of the battle of Kożuchów from 1476. The day ends with a spectacular fire show at 22.00 o’clock.

Listen in August in the medieval Parish Church of the Purification of the Virgin Mary in the historic city of Kożuchów to the most beautiful concerts within the framework of the Henrykowski Organ and Chamber Music Festival in Kożuchów. Musicians from around the world bring works from great composers. The concerts start at 19:00. Entrance: free.

Henrykowski Organ and Chamber Music Festival 2017

In 2017 there was a performance of the group Red Heels – one of the finalists of “GotTalent”. The five female students played classical music in rock style. The ADORAMUS choir was special guest of the festival – they performed Renaissance music and a Creole mass. Michał Kocot, an organ virtuoso from Kożuchów, performed works by Bach, Bartók, Caccini, Praetorius and Schubert.

The Lapidarium located at the former German Protestant cemetery at 1 Maja Street in Kożuchów is a unique necropolis.  The two hundred historical gravestones from the 17th – 19th century and the 17th-century chapel are very well preserved. See rich ornaments and religious symbols such as obituaries and death pictures. The flamboyant architectural forms, symbolism, and iconography make the necropolis artistically very valuable.

Visit the Lapidarium

In the Sports and Culture Centre “Zamek”, you can arrange a guided tour through the Lapidarium.

The municipal park, a green oasis,  is located in the city centre, to the north-east of the old town. Pay attention to the Baroque portico which is a typical columned portico of the palace erected by the family von Kalckreuth in 1780. In 1945 the palace was burned down after the pillage by the Soviet army. The ruins of the buildings have been demolished in the early 50’s, leaving only the portico.

Portico in the park

You can easily find the statue of Salomon Maimon, an eminent Jewish philosopher, a follower of the thoughts of Immanuel Kant, the author of ” Essay on Transcendental Philosophy “, dedicated to King Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Maimon spent the last years of his life in the von Kalckreuth manor.

Statue of the philosopher Salomon Maimon

Natural monuments

The picturesque municipal park is filled with stately trees, including impressive specimens of yew, oak, larch and beech, monuments of nature.

Autumn in the park

Kożuchów and surroundings are worth visiting by bike along 6 interesting cycling routes through the commune of Kożuchów.

The claws of the devil

On the road linking the village of Bulin with the village of Stypułów you will see a big glacial erratic on the edge of the village of Bulin. According to the legend, the scratches on the boulder come from the claws of the devil.

Nature monuments

Other nature monuments you will find in the municipal park in Kożuchów and in the villages of Bielice, Czciradz, Lasocin, Solniki and Drwalewice. There are specimens of yew, larch, beech, lime trees and oak trees dating back 250 years. If you are lucky, you will discover nuthatches, hoopoes, orioles or buzzards among the trees.

Long distance cycling routes

Attractive cycling trails of the Nowa Sól District also lead through the municipality of Kożuchów. The interesting Oder Cycle Route through the Lower Silesian and Lubuskie voivodeships is about 672 km long.

The spirit of Fabian von Kottwitz

Explore the nearby surroundings of Kożuchów starting in the historic village of Broniszów (13 km from Kożuchów). The The Renaissance castle has an unique atmosphere, where you can still feel the spirit of Fabian von Kottwitz.

Castle in Broniszów

The castle is a excellent place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can stay in one of the beautiful renovated rooms with historic furniture and a comfortable bathroom. One of the rooms has a fireplace. When you stay overnight you can explore the castle and its history. There is castle kitchen on the ground floor and a barbecue in the garden. You can book a room on Airbnb or booking.com. There are two rooms for meetings: Sala Paradna – a conference room or festive room for 48 persons and Sala Sklepiona for 24 persons.

Take a cycle or hiking tour and explore the forests and visit the 16th century Church of St. Nicholas.

Historic villages surrounded by hills

A must see on your hiking or cycling trip is the village of Cisów (4 km from Kożuchow). You can see here a historic villa and climb to the viewpoint in the Dalkowski Hills, where you can see Kożuchów. In Solniki (6 km from Kożuchow) visit the 12th century church one of the oldest historic churches in the region. Being in Solniki you should try or buy natural apple juice from the Orchard Solniki.

The biggest dwarf in the world

During a boat trip on the Oder River it is worth to see monuments of culture and art, curiousities and symbols of the region. In the vicinity of the village of Stany (north of Nowa Sól) lies a beautiful, hundred years old railway bridge with a length of over 600 metres. In the Dwarf Park in Nowa Sól you will find a five metres high dwarf, named Soluś, the world largest garden dwarf in the world, entered the Guinness Book of world records.

Boat trip on the Oder

Historic monuments

Another interesting place in the area is the village Czciradz (3 km east of Kożuchów). You can see here a beautiful manor house with a beautiful park. In the yard is a housing colony. The pride of the park is the monumental oak alley. The most magnificent specimen has a circumference of 595 cm. It is also worth visiting the nearby village of Chotków (13 km from Kożuchów), dating back to the 14th century. The biggest attraction of this small village is the Gothic church and the Renaissance palace complex.

Discover the surroundings of Kożuchów by bike

The best way to discover the surroundings of Kozuchów is by bike. Follow interesting cycling routes of the Kozuchów Municipality and the Nowa Sól District.

Polish regional food is well-known in Europe, especially dumplings (called pierogi) and sausages (called kielbasa). Polish cuisine, however, varies from region to region. Tastes of western Poland means homemade dairy products, wines and honey. Come to Kożuchów and try delicious regional food and products!

Natural juices

Apples from the Orchard Solniki (near Kożuchów) are pressed to naturally cloudy fruit juices under the brand name “Słoneczny sad”. In a modern juice press delicious and healthy juice without additives is produced. The juice is pasteurized at a low temperature, and then packed in a bag-in-box, so it has a long shelf-life. Juice from Solniki is tasty, healthy and 100% natural.

Feast of Apples

Sad Solniki together with the Kożuchów Castle organises the Feast of Apples, held in autumn. This is a great time to try regional specialties from the lubuskie region. Some of the products are placed on the List of Regional Products. Taste apple rice casserole, or roulade filled with apple and see who wins the yearly contest of the best apple dish. On this day you can eat as many apples as you like!

Enjoy contests and games in which apples play the main role.

The Feast of Apples takes place yearly at the end of September at the Market Place in Kożuchów.

Land of wine and honey

The lubuskie region invites you to the Lubuski Trail of Wine and Honey, where you can taste excellent wines and honey in more than sixty objects. Along the Trail of Wine and Honey one can sample wine delicacies, honeys as well as other regional apiarian and grape products. The most interesting attraction to the north-east of Kożuchów is the Vineyard Kinga, near an old wooden fisherman cottage in the little village of Stara Wieś. Here you can taste wine and grape leafs rolls (gołąbki) in grape-based marinade. Restaurant “Sadyba” in the same village offers dishes with products of farms from the region. Try some typical regional dishes!

Visit the Wine Harvest Feast in Zielona Góra, starting the 7th of September 2019 at 10:00 on the Old Town Square in Zielona Góra. The last day of the event is the 15th of September 2019.

The kingdom of goats

Qzko Farm in the municipality of Siedlisko, located on the Oder river, east of Kożuchów, organises craft workshops and demonstrations of cheese- and soap making. The farm produces milk, cheeses, soaps and creams from natural goat’s milk. You can stay for the night in a fully equipped apartment. Lovers of hiking and cycling will find here excellent conditions for outdoor recreation in forests or on the river side. The near Oder river offers water sports facilities.

Other regional products from the Lubuskie Land

Władysław Giza in Bukowina Bobrzańska (municipality of Żagań) bakes the best traditional bread in the region. And Wanda and Czesław Towpik from Mycielin (municipality of Niegosławice) offer natural cold pressed linseed oil.

Kontakt:
Piekarnia Bukowianka
Władysław Giza
51 Bukowina Bobrzańska
68-100 Żagań
tel.: +48 68 360 66 33
e-mail: bukowianka@o2.pl

Wanda i Czesław Towpik
92 Mycielin
67-213 Niegosławice
tel: +48 68 378 13 13
e-mail: cztowpik@vp.pl

In Kożuchów, you will not only easily find accommodation representing various standards, but also pleasant restaurants.