Silesia - Lonely Planet

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Silesia
POP 9.5 MILLION
Includes 
Wrocław. . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Zielona Góra. . . . . . . . 251
Świdnica . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Książ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Jelenia Góra . . . . . . . . 256
Karkonosze
National Park . . . . . . . 259
Szklarska Poręba. . . . 260
Karpacz. . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Bystrzyca Kłodzka. . . 267
Opole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Katowice . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Oświęcim. . . . . . . . . . . 279
Best Places to Eat
¨¨Steinhaus (p248)
¨¨Bernard (p247)
¨¨Madame (p270)
Why Go?
Occupying the whole of southwestern Poland, Silesia (Śląsk,
pronounced ‘shlonsk’, in Polish), is a diverse collection of
attractive cities, industrial centres and mountain scenery.
Wrocław is a historical gem and well worth a visit, while
inviting smaller centres such as Nysa and Jelenia Góra offer distinctive sights and activities. A natural attraction is
presented by the Sudetes Mountains; stretching along the
Czech border, the mountains are home to scenic beauty
and idyllic resort towns, popular with hikers, bikers and
spa fans alike. The rich history of the region underpins
its charm, with architecture ranging from medieval fortresses to Baroque cathedrals. Silesia also contains the
Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp complex set up
by Nazi Germany, now a grim but moving memorial.
From tumultuous history to modern-day cities and
countryside, Silesia affords plenty of opportunities for
relaxation, and for immersion in the story of this onceturbulent corner of Europe.
When to Go
Wrocław
°C/°F Temp
¨¨Tatiana (p276)
30/86
¨¨Frykówka (p279)
20/68
Rainfall inches/mm
6/150
4/100
3/75
10/50
Best Places to
Stay
¨¨Hotel Piast (p245)
¨¨Villa Navigator (p269)
¨¨Hotel Fado (p254)
¨¨Hotel Fenix
Strauss (p257)
¨¨Hotel Diament (p275)
2/50
0/32
1/25
-5/23
0
J
F
M
Apr Spring’s
vitality is a good
match for the Jazz
on the Odra festival in Wrocław.
A
M
J
J
A
Jun–Aug Summer
is the season
to enjoy hiking in
the Sudetes
Mountains.
S
O
N
D
Sep In autumn
Polish wine is
celebrated at
Zielona Góra’s
Wine Festival.
Legnickie Pole
Lubi†¤
Chapel
of Skulls
Brno; Bratislava; Vienna
Kletno
S
Boboszów
Králíky (Czech)
Mi‰dzygórze
Stronie
±l†skie
K×odzko
Paczków
ra
I N
S
Pietrowice
G×ogówek
Opole
Cha×upki
Kluczbork
K‰pno
atmosphere of spa town
8 Enjoying the peaceful
Rybnik
Gliwice
Toszek
Lubliniec
Wielu¬
0
0
Tychy
Sosnowiec
Katowice
Pszczyna Auschwitz-Birkenau
Memorial &
Museum
Zabrze
D†browa
Bytom Górnicza
Cz‰stochowa
50 km
30 miles
Wrocław’s Old Town (p241).
9 Spotting dwarf statues in
7 Exploring the mighty
fortress at Kłodzko (p263).
Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój
(p260) in the outskirts of
Jelenia Góra.
Książ Castle (p255) near
Świdnica.
6 Visiting the impressive
Brzeg
T A
Nysa
Otmuchów
Od
Wroc×aw
Ole¢nica
Trzebnica
U
Hradec Bystrzyca K×odzka
Králové
KudowaZdrój
Kar×ów
E
Náchod
(Czech)
T
CZECH
REPUBLIC
Turnov
Liberec
Jelenia
Góra
Legnica
Zielona Góra
(48km)
of history at the former
German extermination camp
at Auschwitz-Birkenau
Memorial & Museum
(p279) in Oświęcim.
5Learning the lessons
Jaworzyna
±l†ska
Ksi†¤
Bolków
Sobótka
Castle ±widnica
Karkonosze
Mt ±l‰¤a
National Park Kamienna
Góra
Karpacz
(718m)
Mt Szrenica
Krzy¤owa
Wa×brzych
(1362m)
Mt ±nie¤ka
Krzeszów
(1602m)
Mt Wielki
Szyszak
Góry Sto×owe
(1509m)
National Park Wambierzyce
Zawidów
Zgorzelec
Boles×awiec
Szrenica and Mt Śnieżka in
Karkonosze National
Park (p259).
4Hiking between Mt
within the tranquil Church of
Peace in Świdnica (p253).
3Contemplating the infinite
Szklarska
Por‰ba
Jakuszyce
Harrachov (Czech)
Görlitz
GERMANY
the macabre Chapel of Skulls
(p265) near Kudowa-Zdrój.
2Eyeballing bony remains at
enormous Panorama of
Racławice in Wrocław
(p239).
1 Marvelling at the
Silesia Highlights
U
E
K×odzka
Si le sia S i l e si a H igh l igh t s
S
D
M
O
Nysa
238
N