Szczekociny Bus / Pks - Restaurants and Monuments

Szczekociny is a small town located on the Pilica River in Silesia Province, Zawiercie County. It is inhabited by about 3,500 residents. Szczekociny is not part of Silesia, historically it belongs to Malopolska. The name of the town probably comes from the name Szczekot. The coat of arms depicts a silver sword on a red background, which refers to Szczekociny's possession of the right of the sword, i.e. the right to punish evildoers with death.

Szczekociny gained the right of place in 1398 as an important settlement at the crossing of the Pilica River. On June 6, 1794, one of the biggest battles of the Kosciuszko insurrection took place there. It was then that the Polish army commanded by Tadeusz Kosciuszko was defeated by the combined Russian-Prussian forces. From 1815 the city was in the Russian partition. In 1871, as a result of repressions after the participation of residents in the January Uprising, the partitioners deprived Szczekociny of its municipal rights, which were not restored until 1923. During the September campaign, on September 3, 1939, a victorious battle was fought there against German troops, but just a few weeks later the town was captured and partially burned by the Germans. Ultimately, 75% of Szczekociny was destroyed after the end of World War II.

Szczekociny - historical monuments

What can you see in this small town? Here are some of the most interesting attractions of Szczekociny.

Dembinski Palace

Located in the eastern part of the city, this baroque-classicist palace from 1780 is part of a larger complex of buildings of the palace complex, which also includes a park, outbuildings and other outbuildings. The palace belonged to the Dembinski family and was one of the more impressive noble residences in Poland. It is said to have aroused the admiration of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Currently, there are plans to renovate the palace and locate a center for Szczekociny's historical and cultural heritage there.

St. Bartholomew Parish Church

The first wooden church was built in Szczekociny in the 13th century. A brick temple was built in the middle of the 15th century. In 1550 the owners of Szczekociny, the Szczepanowski family, turned the church into a Calvinist church, which was returned to Catholics in the 17th century. It then obtained its present appearance.

Former synagogue building

The Szczekocin synagogue dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. It was built on a rectangular plan. Until the outbreak of World War II it was the center of religious life of the numerous Jewish community. Right next to it there is a monument to the memory of the Szczekocin Jews, in whose pedestal fragments of preserved matzevot have been embedded. Currently, the synagogue building houses a store.

Mounds and crosses in the fields near Szczekociny

While in Szczekociny, it is worth taking a look around the remains of the famous Kosciuszko Insurrection battle of 1794, which ended in defeat, played out in the fields of the surrounding villages. As a result of the significant advantage of the united Russian-Prussian army, about 1.5 thousand Poles were killed or wounded. In the northern part of the village of Wywła, one can find a mound with a cross with three scythes erected on the site where the fallen Poles were buried. Other mounds from that time can be found in Chebdziach and south of the village of Goleniowy.

Canoeing on the Pilica River

The city and its surroundings offer many opportunities for active recreation in nature. There are numerous forests, walking paths, ponds and the Pilica River with its tributaries Żebrówka and Krztynia, forming a picturesque valley and providing a great opportunity for canoeing. A good place to start canoeing is near the Szczekocin palace and park complex, at the 293rd kilometer of the river. The length of the rafting trip between Szczekociny and Przyłęk is 15 kilometers and takes about 4 hours. The surroundings of the river are very attractive in terms of scenery, and the clear water is conducive to swimming. Part of the Szczekociny area is part of the Natura 2000 areas, designed to protect Europe's most valuable species of plants, animals and natural habitats.

Szczekociny - restaurants worth recommending

Szczekociny does not have a very developed gastronomic base, however, there are several outlets serving inexpensively something to eat.

For a quick meal you can drop in to the fast food "Chrupiące Kurczaki", for pizza to "Pizza Ana", and for a classic Polish dinner you can eat in "Bingo Zajazd Zaręba I". Tasty cakes are worth buying at "Rokitno Confectionery Bakery", and you can try ice cream at the local ice cream parlor located at the Szczekocin market square.