Although picturesquely located Piechowice is a relatively small town between Szklarska Poręba and Jelenia Góra, it has been delighting tourists with its natural attractions for many years. The town is located at the foot of the Karkonosze and Jizera Mountains, which is why it is an excellent base for hiking and cycling trips. This is where you will find, among others: such attractions as: Śnieżne Kotły, Szklarki Waterfall, Wielki Szyszak, Złoty Widok, Crocus Reserve, and a 700-year-old specimen of yew.
History of Piechowice
Piechowice is located at an altitude of 360-480 m above sea level, with its maximum height reaching 1,509 m above sea level (the peak of Wielki Szyszak). The oldest architectural finds from the Piechowice area come from the Neolithic era. The favorable geographical location and an important trade route from Silesia to the Czech Republic (Czeska Ścieżka) passing through the town favored the development of Piechowice and the surrounding area.
The history of the town dates back to the 13th century. However, the name Piechowice itself appeared only after World War II. Then both the town and Lower Silesia became part of Poland. The first document mentioning this area comes from 1281. Piechowice obtained city rights only in 1967. Currently, within the borders of Piechowice there are formerly independent villages: Pakoszów, Piastów, Michałowice and Górzyniec.
The origins of the city are related to Hans Pater. This is a man who, at the turn of the 13th and 16th centuries, decided to build a water mill on the Kamienna River. Hence the image of a mill wheel in the town's modern emblem. Traces of the first glassworks date back to 1305. The economic development of the area was brutally stopped by the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War. After the foothills of the Karkonosze Mountains were incorporated into Prussia, the Piechowice industry lost its sales markets. Only the connection of the railway line from Jelenia Góra in 1891 and its further expansion revived the local economy. Modern industry appeared in the town in the 19th century, when it was established here Glassworks "Julia". Currently, it is the oldest facility of this type in the region available to tourists.
What is worth seeing when visiting Piechowice?
The most important natural attractions around Piechowice include: Snow Cauldrons and the local broadcast station. Also worth seeing:
- Szklarki Waterfall with a 13.5 meter high cascade,
- Great Szyszak (1509 m above sea level),
- Złoty Widok in Michałowice – a rock test forming a viewing point,
- ventilation cauldrons,
- Kropelka Waterfall,
- 30-meter rock group – Bobrowe Skały, Crocus Reserve,
- the charming Silent Valley,
- a phenomenal 700-year-old yew tree - a natural monument that measures 10 meters in height and 292 cm in circumference.
There are many hiking trails and bicycle paths in the commune, thanks to which all attractions are perfectly connected.
Piechowice also has interesting architectural and historical attractions. One of them is historic Pakoszów Palace, which currently houses a hotel and restaurant and is over 100 years old Church of St. Antoni Padewski and an equally stunning late Gothic one Church of St. Corpus Christi. The nearby monuments also include: half-timbered house from the 18th century located at ul. Side, brick and wooden guesthouse "Uroczysko" from 1890 (former Luftwaffe sanatorium), as well as a railway water supply water tower from 1909.
When visiting Piechowice, it is also worth paying attention to the several-meter high a tunnel carved in granite rock on the winding road from Piechowice to Michałowice and air raid shelter from World War II. It also attracts tourists' attention, especially after dark Glass Garden – a city park revitalized in 2013, with illuminated "glass photos" of all nearby attractions.
What else awaits tourists visiting Piechowice?
The artistic showcase of the town is the Michałowice estate, where various cultural centers operate dynamically, including: Our Theater, Cinema Theater, Paweł Trybalski's art gallery, as well as the Piechowicki Cultural Center.
Every year, a cultural event is organized in Piechowice - "Crystal Weekend", during which crystal and glass producers and talented engravers present their works to the public.