KORMAN :: Hotel :: bicycle tour :: accommodation :: bed and breakfast :: by the sea

Cenral Kashubia lies between the Wieprz river valley and Gdańsk Bay.In the north it is bounded by the proglacial stream valleys of the Łeba and the Reda, while in the south it ends at the Bory Tucholskie Forest and the Kociewo region .

It is one of the most attractive parts of the lake district. The varied glacial nature of the land has earned this area the name of “Kashubian S witzerland”.This includes a part of the Kashub lake District and the part of the ill defined Bytowski Lake District.It is dominated by the Wieżyca Hill ( 329m), the higest peak in the Central European Depression.

Kashubian Switzerland has an udulating terrain,with a large number of lakes,ponnds and peat moors.The largest tunnel valley lakes in the Kashub National Park.The largest towns is in the area Kartuzy, considered tke capital of Kashubia and Bytów.Most tourist centres are concentrated on the waterway called the “Raduński Circle”.Among the many nature reserves in the area , it is particularly worth mentioning the “Ostrzycki Las” with Pomeranian Beech,the “Kurze Grzędy” where cranes nest,the “Stare Modrzewie”near Kartuzy and the “Jezioro Kamienne”,an oligotrophic lake with a protected relict plant –the Lake Lobelia .This region has the largest number of Kashubian memntoes and traditions.

The Wieprz and Słupia valleys differ from the Kashubian Switzerland area.This is an empty forest region,more sparsley populated then Kashubian Switzerland.In order to protect the beautyof the area a Scenic Parkcalled “Dolina Słupi” ( Słupia Valley) was established in 1981.The park contains rare plants and the nesting grounds of protected birds,including the Golden Eagle.Tourists visiting central Kashubia ussually go to Kashubian Switzerland.This area is more leveloped and is a holiday region for the Gdańsk urban area and for visitors fromother parts of the country and abroud.

Słupsk – an old city lying on the route from Szczecin to Gdańsk. Numerous pieces of gothic architecture have survived in this city on the Słupia river.The most valuable historical monuments are the 14^th century Mariaci Church, the Royal Castle dating from the begining of the 15^th century at present housing the middle Pomerania Museum,and the Dominican Church of St Jack,dating from the 15^th century.

Between the morainic hills and lakes of Kashubian Switzerland lies Bytów. The most fully preserved historic monument here is a gothic castle dating from between the 14^th and 15^th centuries.

The “Dolina Słupi”(Słupia Valley) Scenic Park includes the most interesting part of the river and the surrouding morainic hills.Rare plants grow here and protected birds nest here, including the Golden Eagle.

The “Jar Raduni”(Radunia Canion) Reserve is in place reminiscent of a fast highland river flowing in a deep gorge.The Radunia Ravine,stretching for several kilometers,has steepbanks up to 30 m high.They are overgrown with a beautiful,mixed forest.

Between the Klasztorne and Karczemne lakes,amidst morainic hills,lies Kartuzy – considered the capital of Kashubia.Kartuzy was not granted a charter until the 20^th century, but its history dates from the 14^th century when the Carthusian Monks were invited here.A valuable local historical monuments is the old monastry church with adjoining buildings and the Kashub museum at the other end of the town, housing relics of the spiritual and material cultureof the Kashubs.

The Kamienne Lake is surrounded by the Mirachowski Forest.On its shores lies the largest erratic boulder in Kashubia,called’The Devil’s Stone” and towering 5 m hihg.The lake is a water-flora reserve.Cranes are frequent quests here.

The Jezioro Białe (White lake)lying near Wąglikowice and Rekowo is part of the Raduńskie Circle.

The vegetation of Kashubia is rich and varied.There are many special, very rare plants here.The cold and humid climate of Kashubia suits varieties which do not,reqire warmth.The following plants merit particular attention : (2)Marsh Heath Erica tetralix,an Atlantic variety, veryrare in Poland.The further away from the coast the fewer the plants typical of an Atlantic climate.(1) Mud Peatmoss Sphagnum palustre,(5;7) Bog Arum Calla palustris,(3)Marsh Tea Ledum palustre.A botanical curiosity is the insect-eating(4;6)Round Leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia.

To the south west of Kartuzy lie two picturesque tunnel-valley lakes,the Brodno Wielkie and the Brodno Małe.The Brodno Wielkie Lake is situated in a deepvalley and can be admired from a vantage point on the Złota Góra Hill,on the Kartuzy- Bytów road.

The Raduńskie Górne and Dolne Lakes form a part of the “RaduńskieCircle”. This consists of fourteen beautiful lakes.The Radunia River flowing towards Gdańsk, flows through the following of these lakes: The Stężyckie, Raduńskie Górne, Raduńskie Dolne, Kłodno,Małe Brodno, Wielkie Brodno and Ostrzyckie.This is one of the most attractive water-ways in Kashubia,over 40 km long.

Sianowo – a sanctuary of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Kashubia. A small figure of the Virgin Mary and Child placed in the main altar of the local church, dating from the first half of the 15^th century.

Wieżyca – the highest peak of the Kashub Lake District and the whole Lake District belt. It is 329m high, rising from the picturesque Szymbarski hills overgrown with Beech forest. Its peak is a hiking destination and during the winter its slopes are used by skiers. The peak looks particularly beautiful from the region of the Ostrzyckie Lake and Raduńskie Lakes.

In Węsiory, in the forest above the Długie Lake, there is a Gothic cementary dating from Roman times (1^st-2^nd century AD). This is a mementoe of wandering Germanic tribles moving through this region from Scandinavia to the Black Sea. The cemetery consist of 20 mounds, stone circles and 140 graves. The stone circles probably had a ritual significance.

The “Sierakowice” song and dances in its repertoir and performs them at festivals and concerts at home and abroad. The most popular old instrument used by Kashub players in the ”burczybas” – a barrel with horse tail hair attached. When the horse tail hair is moistened and rhytmically plucked, it emits a low droning sound.

Chmielno is the center of Kashub pottery work. The Necel family has worked here for many generations and are mastery of making and decorating pottery.

Kashubia:

Northern Kashubia

Central Kashubia

Southern Kashubia


	Kashubia: Northern Kashubia Central Kashubia Southern Kashubia Cenral Kashubia lies between the Wieprz river valley and Gdańsk Bay.In the north it is bounded by the proglacial stream valleys of the Łeba and the Reda, while in the south it ends at the Bory Tucholskie Forest and the Kociewo region . It is one of the most attractive parts of the lake district. The varied glacial nature of the land has earned this area the name of “Kashubian S witzerland”.This includes a part of the Kashub lake District and the part of the ill defined Bytowski Lake District.It is dominated by the Wieżyca Hill ( 329m), the higest peak in the Central European Depression. Kashubian Switzerland has an udulating terrain,with a large number of lakes,ponnds and peat moors.The largest tunnel valley lakes in the Kashub National Park.The largest towns is in the area Kartuzy, considered tke capital of Kashubia and Bytów.Most tourist centres are concentrated on the waterway called the “Raduński Circle”.Among the many nature reserves in the area , it is particularly worth mentioning the “Ostrzycki Las” with Pomeranian Beech,the “Kurze Grzędy” where cranes nest,the “Stare Modrzewie”near Kartuzy and the “Jezioro Kamienne”,an oligotrophic lake with a protected relict plant –the Lake Lobelia .This region has the largest number of Kashubian memntoes and traditions. The Wieprz and Słupia valleys differ from the Kashubian Switzerland area.This is an empty forest region,more sparsley populated then Kashubian Switzerland.In order to protect the beautyof the area a Scenic Parkcalled “Dolina Słupi” ( Słupia Valley) was established in 1981.The park contains rare plants and the nesting grounds of protected birds,including the Golden Eagle.Tourists visiting central Kashubia ussually go to Kashubian Switzerland.This area is more leveloped and is a holiday region for the Gdańsk urban area and for visitors fromother parts of the country and abroud. Słupsk – an old city lying on the route from Szczecin to Gdańsk. Numerous pieces of gothic architecture have survived in this city on the Słupia river.The most valuable historical monuments are the 14^th century Mariaci Church, the Royal Castle dating from the begining of the 15^th century at present housing the middle Pomerania Museum,and the Dominican Church of St Jack,dating from the 15^th century. Between the morainic hills and lakes of Kashubian Switzerland lies Bytów. The most fully preserved historic monument here is a gothic castle dating from between the 14^th and 15^th centuries. The “Dolina Słupi”(Słupia Valley) Scenic Park includes the most interesting part of the river and the surrouding morainic hills.Rare plants grow here and protected birds nest here, including the Golden Eagle. The “Jar Raduni”(Radunia Canion) Reserve is in place reminiscent of a fast highland river flowing in a deep gorge.The Radunia Ravine,stretching for several kilometers,has steepbanks up to 30 m high.They are overgrown with a beautiful,mixed forest. Between the Klasztorne and Karczemne lakes,amidst morainic hills,lies Kartuzy – considered the capital of Kashubia.Kartuzy was not granted a charter until the 20^th century, but its history dates from the 14^th century when the Carthusian Monks were invited here.A valuable local historical monuments is the old monastry church with adjoining buildings and the Kashub museum at the other end of the town, housing relics of the spiritual and material cultureof the Kashubs. The Kamienne Lake is surrounded by the Mirachowski Forest.On its shores lies the largest erratic boulder in Kashubia,called’The Devil’s Stone” and towering 5 m hihg.The lake is a water-flora reserve.Cranes are frequent quests here. The Jezioro Białe (White lake)lying near Wąglikowice and Rekowo is part of the Raduńskie Circle. The vegetation of Kashubia is rich and varied.There are many special, very rare plants here.The cold and humid climate of Kashubia suits varieties which do not,reqire warmth.The following plants merit particular attention : (2)Marsh Heath Erica tetralix,an Atlantic variety, veryrare in Poland.The further away from the coast the fewer the plants typical of an Atlantic climate.(1) Mud Peatmoss Sphagnum palustre,(5;7) Bog Arum Calla palustris,(3)Marsh Tea Ledum palustre.A botanical curiosity is the insect-eating(4;6)Round Leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia. To the south west of Kartuzy lie two picturesque tunnel-valley lakes,the Brodno Wielkie and the Brodno Małe.The Brodno Wielkie Lake is situated in a deepvalley and can be admired from a vantage point on the Złota Góra Hill,on the Kartuzy- Bytów road. The Raduńskie Górne and Dolne Lakes form a part of the “RaduńskieCircle”. This consists of fourteen beautiful lakes.The Radunia River flowing towards Gdańsk, flows through the following of these lakes: The Stężyckie, Raduńskie Górne, Raduńskie Dolne, Kłodno,Małe Brodno, Wielkie Brodno and Ostrzyckie.This is one of the most attractive water-ways in Kashubia,over 40 km long. Sianowo – a sanctuary of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Kashubia. A small figure of the Virgin Mary and Child placed in the main altar of the local church, dating from the first half of the 15^th century. Wieżyca – the highest peak of the Kashub Lake District and the whole Lake District belt. It is 329m high, rising from the picturesque Szymbarski hills overgrown with Beech forest. Its peak is a hiking destination and during the winter its slopes are used by skiers. The peak looks particularly beautiful from the region of the Ostrzyckie Lake and Raduńskie Lakes. In Węsiory, in the forest above the Długie Lake, there is a Gothic cementary dating from Roman times (1^st-2^nd century AD). This is a mementoe of wandering Germanic tribles moving through this region from Scandinavia to the Black Sea. The cemetery consist of 20 mounds, stone circles and 140 graves. The stone circles probably had a ritual significance. The “Sierakowice” song and dances in its repertoir and performs them at festivals and concerts at home and abroad. The most popular old instrument used by Kashub players in the ”burczybas” – a barrel with horse tail hair attached. When the horse tail hair is moistened and rhytmically plucked, it emits a low droning sound. Chmielno is the center of Kashub pottery work. The Necel family has worked here for many generations and are mastery of making and decorating pottery.