The best traffic-free bike rides around Spalski Park Krajobrazowy

Relax by the pond

It was built in 1923 on the orders of President Stanisław Wojciechowski. The author of the design was Kazimierz Skórewicz, an outstanding architect, co-creator and propagator of the national style. The church was built of pine wood with a log structure with wall pillars, on a foundation of stone ashlars. An octagonal bell tower was placed on the hipped roof, covered with shingles. In 1933, Polish foresters funded a carved altar of St. Hubert and an altar superstructure with the figure of the Mother of God Queen of the Polish Crown. The sculptures that still decorate the Spała church today were made by sculptor Ludwik Konarzewski from Istebna. A field altar of the Home Army was built next to the church in the early 1990s.

At the site of the apparition of Saint Anne to a local villager, Wojciech Głowa, a wooden cross was first erected, followed by a small wooden chapel. The site of the apparition quickly became famous for miracles and graces received through the intercession of Saint Anne. Soon, news of the miracles reached the clerical authorities, who appointed a commission to investigate the events taking place at the cross. The Bishop of Kujawy, Paweł Wołudzki, having become convinced of the graces flowing to the villagers, decided to build a wooden church under the invocation of Saint Anne nearby, 300 steps to the north-west, where the current temple is located. He sent one of the priests to this place to take care of the pilgrims. However, he was unable to cope with the growing number of pilgrims. In 1639, Bishop Mateusz Łubiński entrusted this sanctuary to the Conventual Franciscans. They began to organize monastic life and serve the pilgrims. In 1657, during the Swedish Deluge, the monastery and church suffered significant damage. Work on the construction of a brick church began during the term of office of the guardian of Smardzewice, Fr. Hadrian Kozłowicz, in 1683. The construction was completed in 1699, it was a votive offering of the Bishop of Warmia, Stanisław Zbąski, to Saint Anne for graces received, especially for the gift of health. The church was consecrated on November 6, 1701, by Bishop Andrzej Albinowski, suffragan of Kujawy. The parish was canonically erected on July 26, 1775, by the Bishop of Włocławek, Antoni Kazimierz Ostrowski. The founder of the brick monastery, next to the church, was the Bishop of Kujawy, Krzysztof Antoni of Stupowo Szembek, later the Primate of Poland. Thanks to him, the monastery was built in the years 1722-1746 and the existing church was surrounded by a wall. Because of the Franciscans' support for the January Uprising, on November 21, 1864, the tsarist government dissolved the order in the Russian partition, including the Franciscan monastery in Smardzewice. The land of the Smardzewice monastery was parceled out, and the management of the parish was entrusted to diocesan priests. During World War I (1914-1918), the church was partially destroyed. After Poland regained independence in 1918, the church buildings and the monastery began to be restored.

Sanctuary of St. Anne and the novitiate of the Franciscan Fathers.

A shop in a synagogue. Whatever you think, it's worth taking a look inside. And by the way - open on holidays, so it might come in handy on the route.

The monument was created as part of the project to revitalize the center of Spała. A small island was created near the pond on the Gać River, accessible by a wooden bridge. A monument to President Ignacy Mościcki was placed in its center. The president sits thoughtfully, ready to hunt, accompanied by his faithful dog Lord. Tourists can sit on a tree stump next to the president. The ceremonial unveiling of the monument, which was created thanks to the cooperation of the Inowłódz commune with the Local Tourist Organization in Spała, took place on August 16, 2020. Before the outbreak of World War II, Spała was the favorite vacation spot of President Ignacy Mościcki, who was the president of Poland in the years 1926-1939. He spent every free moment here, and he used the place not only for relaxation, but also for establishing political relations, because he received distinguished guests here. Over the years of his rule, he contributed to the development of this small town located in the Pilicka Forest. Mościcki not only beautified Spała, but also contributed to the flourishing of social and political life in this town. He was the organizer of the Spała harvest festival, hubertus, hunting, scout jamborees, car and motorcycle rallies, and numerous sports Spartakiads.

According to a modern inscription plate, the temple was built in 1082, funded by Władysław Herman. The temple is mentioned by Jan Długosz, who gives the year 1086 as the date of foundation. At the same time as the church, a Benedictine monastery was built on the same mountain, which was destroyed in 1241 during the Tatar invasion. It bears features typical of defensive architecture. After the construction of the church of St. Michael in 1520, the older temple lost its significance and began to decline. The first attempt to renovate the church was made in 1790, when the miraculous painting of Our Lady of Sorrows was brought there from the chapel in Giełzów. via Wikipedia

Have you ever been to a synagogue converted into a shop? It's worth going in, looking around and maybe having a meal. The opposite of the castle, which is boring in my opinion. I also recommend the market in Inowłódz.