the mansions in Koszuty and Russów are a
good start to your tour.
Wielkopolska is also a land of lakes, rivers
and forests, as well as moraine hills adding
variety to its landscapes. Here you can take
a break from your hectic life, and just relax or
you can choose active tourism. Over 1,800 km
long, Wielkopolska System of Cycling Routes
has been marked with GPS tracks.
GNIEZNO
Gniezno is the most important place along
the Piast Route, the oldest Polish tourist trail
linking the key heritage sites related to the
earliest history of Poland when Christianity
was introduced here. The greatest attraction
of Gniezno is the Cathedral which witnessed
the coronation of the Polish kings from the
Piast dynasty; it is also the resting place of
St. Adalbert and it hosted a meeting of King
Bolesław Chrobry and German Emperor Otto
III. It is also here that you can see the bronze
Gniezno Doors, ranking among the most
valuable Romanesque artefacts in Europe. In
the vicinity of Gniezno is another attraction
closely connected with the early history of
Poland – the island of Ostrów Lednicki, which
can be accessed by ferry. The area formerly
occupied by Prince Mieszko’s fortified
settlement holds ruins of his palatium and
chapel dating from the 10-11th century. This is
the best preserved structure from this period
throughout Europe.
WOLSZTYN – STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
DEPOT
Wielkopolska has unique attractions on offer
for enthusiasts of railways. Tourists come
here in great numbers to take trips by narrow
gauge trains, or draisines (in Krzywin´ and
Grodzisk Wielkopolski), and visit Wolsztyn
and the only operating locomotive depot
in Europe.
The locomotive depot provides scheduled
services. At its premises you can also see
historical train carriages, draisines, railway
equipment and accessories. The best known
locomotive is Beautiful Helena, Pm 36-2,
which in 1937 received gold medal at the
exhibition in Paris. It reaches the speed of 130
km/h. The oldest locomotive here dates from
1917.
Each year in late April and early May
the famous Locomotive Parade takes place
here; the event attracts visitors from
the farthest corners of the world. Tourists can
take a romantic trip by a scheduled steam
train running between Wolsztyn and Poznan´ or
by one of the trains specially organized
for tourists.
LEFT:
WIELKOPOLSKA IS A
LAND OF GREAT HISTORY
.
ABOVE:
STEAM TRAINS AT
WOLSZTYN W.LIS.
BELOW:
RELIQUARY OF ST. ADALBERT
IN GNIEZNO CATHEDRAL
