The best traffic-free bike rides around gmina Złotoryja

The so-called Castle Tower of Jelenia Góra is a relic of the medieval city fortifications and is often referred to locally as "Baszta Grodzka." It is one of the few remaining elements of the former city wall and offers fascinating insights into the region's defensive architecture. 🏰 Baszta Grodzka – The Castle Tower Location: On the southeastern edge of the Old Town, near Grodzka Street and not far from Plac Ratuszowy (Market Square). Built: Probably in the 14th century, as part of the city wall and to secure one of the city gates. Function: Served as a defensive tower, observation point, and place of refuge during attacks. 🧱 Architecture Materials: Fieldstone and brick, with typical Gothic elements. Form: Round tower with a conical roof, now restored. Special features: Archery slits and small windows Partially preserved remains of the walls in the surrounding area Historical inscriptions and traces of reconstruction 🏛️ Current use The tower is not permanently open to the public, but is occasionally opened for city tours or historical events. It serves as a monument to the medieval city structure and is a popular photo subject. 🗺️ Surroundings Nearby: Church of St. Erasmus and St. Pancras Market square with town hall and Neptune fountain Sculpture of Szczudlarz Jeleniogórski Historic town houses with arcades

A pleasant market square, good food at Restaurant 42 on the market square.

It's definitely worth climbing the tower! From the top platform, you have a fantastic view of the city and the surrounding area.

very beautiful square with its arcades and old town houses

Monument to Bolek I the Strict, founder of the city of Świerzawa. His handprint is still the main element of the city's coat of arms. The monument was supposed to be built in the 1930s. Work on the monument was underway and a sandstone sculpture was already being created. However, it was not completed. The work was probably interrupted by the war. The unfinished monument survived, although in the post-war years it lost its head, which was never found. It was not until 2009 that it was completed and placed in its current location.

The church was built in 1982. Initially, it was just a presbytery enclosed by a wooden wall. The rest of the church was built over the next hundred years. Over the next few hundred years, it was rebuilt in the form of a pseudo-basilica, while being rebuilt after the destruction in 1428 and the fire in 1487. At that time, the tower was also added. The church was destroyed again in a fire in 1762 and rebuilt again. The interiors are covered with cross-ribbed vaults. On the north and west sides, there are two richly carved portals in the Gothic style.

The town hall building was erected in 1810 on the site of an older one that burned down in 1762 during a city fire. The new building has survived unchanged to this day. It represents the neo-Gothic style and is supposed to bring to mind a medieval castle.

The construction of the palace began in 1734. It was built in stages until the end of the 18th century. Around 1900, it was renovated and rebuilt. After the war, it was taken over by the State Agricultural Farm. There were apartments there. In the late 1980s, the palace was abandoned and fell into ruin. Today, it is tightly overgrown with trees and bushes. There is no way to even approach it or see it. Maybe in winter, when there are no leaves, there is a better chance. Next to the palace are the remains of the farm that belonged to it. The former administrator's house is still inhabited.