Green Velo

Mostly following a poorly marked blue bike trail, this route passes through the hilly areas of the Sandomierz Upland. You will mainly stay on asphalt roads, most of which have a low volume of traffic, although the views will open up once you get to the dirt paths between fields and meadows. Points of interest along the way include Krzyżtopór Castle in Ujazd and also Opatów, with its rich history and numerous monuments.

Opatów (0.0 km) → Okalina (3.1 km) → Gojców (5.9 km) → Ublinek (7.7 km) → Mydłów (10.7 km) → Boduszów (13.1 km) → Kopiec (15.6 km) → Ujazd (17.0 km) → Boduszów (20.7 km) → Mydłów (23.1 km) → Strzyżowice (27.7 km) → Czerników Opatowski (30.6 km) → Opatów (33.2 km)

• Lenght: 33.2 km
• Time: 4 hours (6-7 hours with sightseeing)
• Type: Touring
• Elevation: 280 m
• 90% asphalt roads, 10% unpaved roads
• Moderately difficult
• Mostly poorly marked local bike trails

Getting there and starting out

A convenient place to start out for drivers is the market square area in Opatów.

Technical description

Leave the market square in Opatów by passing in front of the south-eastern frontage. Head south on ul. J. Słowackiego, then turn left onto ul. Szeroka and right onto ul. Cegielniana, which becomes ul. Partyzantów. Continue to ride along that road until you reach Okalina. Turn left in the village, going past a roadside shrine and a cross, and then turn onto a dirt road. This is the only section on the whole route with a surface like this. A picturesque path among fields will take you to Gojców. Once you have left the village behind you, turn left onto a narrow asphalt road to Ublinek. Soon, you will see a fortified building that was once a 16^th century church used by the Polish Brethren (also called “Arians”) and is now a residential building. Keep on going south to the main road, where you should turn right. Head towards the intersection in Mydłów, passing both the store and the church that towers over the village. Pay attention when you get to Boduszów and turn left immediately after the bridge, towards Kopiec. As you ride along the narrow asphalt road, you will see information boards telling you that you are in a Natura 2000 protected area – the Żyznów refuge. There is a short but steep ascent ahead. After that, ride along voivodeship road no. 758, where you will find, hidden slightly behind the trees, a reconstruction of a Neolithic settlement from 5,500 years ago. Take the designated bike path to Ujazd, where the Green Velo route can also be found. This brings you to one the biggest attractions in the Świętokrzyskie voivodeship – Krzyżtopór Castle – where you can take a moment to relax in the nearby café and ice-cream parlour. Next, head to Toporów on a narrow and rather quiet asphalt road. The stretch between Boduszów and Mydłów will already be familiar to you from earlier, and then you should turn left at the intersection just after the church. A short ascent leads to the hamlet of Bartłomiejów. Continue riding on local asphalt roads to Strzyżowic, passing a church from 1783 on the left. The last villages on the route are Czerników Karski and Czerników Opatowski. When you reach Opatów, enter the town via ul. Partyzantów, go past the Lewiatan grocery store, and then turn right, back into the market square.

Attractions along the way:

Opatów

Opatów is home to one of the most valuable Romanesque buildings in the country – the Collegiate Church of St. Martin. Take a moment to check out the architecture, and the beautifully preserved biforas (Romanesque double windows) in one of the towers. Extended in the Gothic style, the church interior is dominated by Baroque aesthetics and features unique polychrome paintings and a precious Renaissance bas-relief known as the Opatów Lamentation.

ul. S. “Grota” Roweckiego 8, tel. +48 15 868 27 64,

www.kolegiataopatow.sandomierz.opoka.org.pl

Another interesting attraction is the Underground Tourist Route below the market square. Stretching out over 300 m, it is a labyrinth of cellars dug out on three levels, which once served as warehouses for the local merchants and was also where the partisans hid during the Second World War.

Plac Obrońców Pokoju 18,

tel. +48 506 789 486,

www.podziemia.opatow.pl

In addition, whilst in Opatów you may also want to see:

- Warsaw Gate – the only surviving one of the four entrance gates

- Bernardine monastery and church

ul. Klasztorna 3, tel. +48 15 868 23 10,

www.opatow-bernardyni.pl

- Museum of Geodesy and Cartography

ul. Szpitalna 4A, tel. +48 15 868 47 77, +48 15 868 27 42

Former Arian church in Ublinek

This historic building hails from the mid-16^th century. Now a privately owned residential building, it has been restored to its former glory.

Neolithic settlement in Kopiec

This reconstruction of a Neolithic settlement from over 5,000 years ago was built in Kopiec in 2020. Created by two history buffs, it is open to visitors and has seven buildings, including six houses and a weaving, flint knapping and ceramic workshop. There is also a mini zoo in the grounds.

Kopiec 1a, tel. +48 697 095 999, www.osadakopiec.pl

Ruins of Krzyżtopór Castle in Ujazd

Built by magnate Krzysztof Ossoliński between 1631 and 1644, this residence was intended to symbolise the grandeur and everlasting power of one of the richest Polish families. Designed as a visualisation of the calendar, it had 4 towers, 12 ballrooms, 52 chambers and 365 windows. After the destruction caused by the Bar Confederation civil war (1768-1770), the castle never regained its former glory and it ultimately fell into ruin. What remains these days are the revitalised walls, towers and underground chambers. The castle is open to visitors.

Krzyżtopór Castle Cultural Institution in Ujazd,

tel. +48 15 860 11 33, www.krzyztopor.org.pl