Świecie - nestled in the mouth of two rivers: Wda and Vistula, on the Kujawy-Pomerania Province, is the town of Swiecie. Because of its great location, beautiful nature and high propensity to attract entrepreneurs Swiecie has become one of the most desirable destinations in northern part of Poland.
The District of Swiecie is one of the most interesting regions of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province due to its geographical location, variety of landscapes and natural values, famous for wild, almost untouched by humans Tuchola Woods attract visitors seeking for some peaceful destinations. Two landscape parks: The Landscape Park of the Lower Vistula Valley and Wdecki Landscape Park offer a variety of attractions; from nature walks, paddling trips, bird watching to some more extreme mountain biking trips.
Attractions:
The district of Świecie is famous for perfect conditions for all forms of tourism. Protected by the Low Vistula River Valley Landscape Park, a widespread valley of the Vistula is a dominant part of region. The valley of the panoramic view makes up a very diversified and picturesque landscape that entices its space. Apart from charming recesses and unusual nature sanctuaries, the valley of the Vistula is known for its wealth of historic sights, monuments of architecture and early medieval ruins of castle, and post-Mennonite settlements. Located in the vicinity, the Wdecki Landscape Park owes its name to the Wda river, that simply means “black water”, which together with tributaries like Prusina, Ryszka and Sobińska Struga makes up picturesque recesses. The Wda is one of the biggest left-bank tributary of the Vistula and one of the most beautiful and most captivating canoeing trails in Poland.
Sport and recreation:
There are 8 sports clubs operating in Świecie. The “Wda” Sports Club is provided with the main sports complex, which includes three full-size pitches, tennis courts, sports hall, a tartan track as well as other sports and recreation facilities. Moreover, the town offers an indoor swimming pool, and the holiday center with its camping site guarded bathing beach, water sport equipment rental, marina as well as catering points located three kilometers from the town by the Deczno Lake.
Landscape Park of the Lower Vistula Valley
Landscape Park of the Lower Vistula Valley with the are of over 60 thousand ha (25 thousand ha within the borders of Swiecie District) is the biggest landscape park in Kuyavian - Pomeranian Province, and one of the largest in Poland. The multitude of geomorphologic forms determine the diversity of the environment of the park. Most of the area is covered by woods of various types, with coniferous woods prevailing. The specific feature of the natural environment are peat bogs and xerothermic plants, rare in this part of Europe, growing in communes on the dry and sunny slopes of the Vistula Valley. In addition, there are many species of lowland plants here, like, for example: numerous types of orchids, wolf’s claws, all types of common sundews and rare esparto grass. The area also abounds with a great variety of mammals: others, beavers, mammals, badgers and as many as seven types of bats out of twenty one living in Poland can be spotted here. Numerous lowland species of amphibians, reptiles and fish, the abundance of species of insects and birds with the osprey, golden eagle, corncrake, common tern and black stork being the most popular, complete the fauna of the district.
There are 14 wildlife reserves on this area with a few rare animal and plant species under strict conservation: “Sniezynka”, “Ostanicowe Parowy Gruczna”, “Grabowiec”, “Czarcie gory” .
Education trails:
- “Czarcie gory” with view points of Vistula River
- “Gory Diablece” with view points and information signs of the landscape and plants and animals species
Attractions and places worth seeing
Palace and park in Sartowice
The Palace was built in 1770 by Ernest Sartovius de Schwanefeld, in classical style, surrounded by botanical and florist gardens, attracts tourists with the beauty of exotic trees and flowers species. Barbara’s chapel (patron of raftsmen) is a great addition to the park, has 2 bells from 1707 and 1651, and some objects of religious ceremonies from XIV-XVII centuries.
Czartowskie Hills
The name of the hills comes from the medieval legends and stories. Nutritious soil of the hills was used by monks to grow hop and grapes. Picturesque hills, valleys, precipices, meadows and streams enchant visitors and with the view of the mouth of Wda are one of the most charming and beautiful places in Swiecie.
Biking and hiking trails:
Black – The trail goes through Lower Vistula Valley and is as long as 480 km which makes it the longest biking trail in Poland, starts in Cierpice near Torun, through Bydgoszcz, Swiecie, Nowe,, Gniew, Tczew, Kwidzyn, Grudziadz, Chelmno, Ostromecko and ends in Zamek Bierzglowski. There are information signs along the trail and in every town, perfect for a few day - family trips.
Green – on the left bank of Vistula river, starts in Bydgoszcz and ends in Swiecie, very easy, picturesque, meanders through the meadows and open fields, great for short trips.
Black “Na Diabelce” - very difficult lies next to the river, steep lopes and mud specially in summer make the trail interesting but challenging.
Red - 74 km long, starts in Swiecie, ends in Czersk, very easy, pleasant, rich in beautiful views.
“Euroroute” – R1, international biking trail “ A thousand lakes”, starts in Calais, France ends in St. Petersburg, Russia, goes through Swiecie.
Yellow –hiking trail, named after Fryderyk Chopin – 8 km long, was built to commemorate Polish famous composer’s stay in Kozlowo near Swiecie.
Blue “Castle trail”– very easy hiking trail, connects Swiecie with Chelmno, lies between two rivers Wda and Vistula, starts near the ruins of Post Teutonic Castle, ends near the Monument of Eight Legion of Cavalry.
Blue – 22 km long, named after Dr Wladyslaw Legion - famous archeologist and ethnographer, runs in the basin of Lower Vistula River.
ECOLOGICAL TOURISM
Countryside holidays in Świecie Gmina. Rest in the countryside, in guest farms, in attractive tourist region, assuring immediate contact with nature, with recent air and with clean water. And with attractions like horseback riding, bikes, runs, rafting, hiking, fishing etc.
More important events organized in the town / gmina / poviat:
Business events
Entrepreneurship Fair of Świecie Region– June
Cultural events
Days of Świecie – June
International Brass Band Festival – June
Middle Ages Weeek- June
Tourist and Student Song Festival – September
Sport events
Athletic Thursdays
Mayor Cup in girl’s volleyball – February
Olympic Games of Rural Sportsmen – June
Mayor Cup in basketball – June (I, II, III league)