Mountains
The Sudety Mountains stretch across south-western Poland, northern Czech Republic and eastern Germany, and consist of many mountain ranges, including Karkonosze Mountains, Jizera Mountains, Kaczawskie Mountains, and Rudawy Janowickie Mountains, among others.
The Sudetes are divided into:
- Western Sudetes with the highest peak Śnieżka rising to 1602 m above sea level;
- Central Sudetes with the highest peak Wielka Destna (Czech Republic) rising to 1115 m above sea level, and Orlica (Poland) rising to 1084 m above sea level;
- Eastern Sudetes with the highest peak Pradziad (Czech Republic) rising to 1492 m above sea level, and Śnieżnik (Poland) rising to 1425 m above sea level.
Breathtaking views, amazing landform features, rich flora and fauna, fascinating history, numerous hiking and biking trials, and excellent restaurants and accommodation make these mountains incredibly attractive to tourists. The geology and landscape of the Sudetes are extremely varied; the nature resembles that of the Alps, and the climate and the weather are changeable, making you experience the real “nature” of the mountains. Hiking and biking trials lead through the most interesting nooks of the Sudetes, so you can admire extremely beautiful landscapes. While traversing and climbing mountain tops you wander through dense mountain forests, peat bogs, river valleys, and vast plateaus, situated over 1000 m above sea level. You have the opportunity to not only appreciate the beauty of the area but also experience the unique feeling of “pleasant tiredness” – the feeling known and liked by the enthusiasts of mountains and wandering.
After unforgettable trips, you can rest in one of the many mountain lodges, hotels or boarding houses situated in both high lying parts of the mountains and low lying mountain towns and settlements. If you fancy you can treat yourself to swimming pools, water parks, spas, health-resorts, ropes parks or adventure parks.
The Sudetes are also a center of cultural and sport activity. Every season sees festivals, concerts, visits of mountaineering professionals, and biking or trekking marathons. The region is yet more attractive due to its rich and turbulent history, as it situated where Poland, Czech Republic and Germany meet. The influence of cultural and historical legacy of the three countries can be spotted during every hiking or biking trip.
If you want to get some live view from both Czech and Polish range of our mountains, please click on link below:
History and Heritage
Lower Silesia (Polish: Dolny Śląsk; Czech: Dolní Slezsko, Latin: Silesia Inferior; German: Niederschlesien; Silesian German: Niederschläsing; Silesian: Dolny Ślůnsk); is the northwestern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia; Upper Silesia is to the southeast.
Throughout its history Lower Silesia has been under the control of the medieval Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy from 1526. In 1742 nearly all of the region was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia and became part of the German Empire in 1871; except for a small part which formed the southern part of the Lower Silesian Duchy of Nysa and had been incorporated into Austrian Silesia in 1742. After 1945 the main part of the former Prussian Province of Lower Silesia fell to the Republic of Poland, a smaller part west of the Oder-Neisse line remained within Germany.
Lower Silesia is one of the most visited regions in Poland. It is famous for a large number of castles palaces and landscapes parks, inter alia: Książ Castle, Grodziec Castle, Bolczow Castle, Kliczkow Palace, Krobielowice Palace. There is also a lot in the Jelenia Góra Valley: Wojanow Palace, Pakoszow Palace, Lomnica Palace, Staniszow Palace. The most widely-visited city is Wrocław. Other highlights: Koenigstein Fortress, Fort Silberberg, Cisterian Abbey in Lubiąż, Krzeszów, Henryków, Vang Temple in Karpacz, Churches of Peace in Jawor and Swidnica, Sudetes Mountains, Rudawski Landscape Park, Barycz Valley Landscape Park.
Wrocław is the largest city in western Poland, situated on the Oder river (Odra) which divides the town with its tributaries and canals, flowing around 12 islands and under 112 bridges. Wrocław is the historical capital of Silesia and Lower Silesia. Today, it is the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
The population of Wrocław in 2013 was 632,067, making it the fourth largest city in Poland, classified as a Global city by GaWC, with the ranking of high sufficiency.
At various times in history it has been part of the Kingdom of Poland, Bohemia, Hungary, the Austrian Empire, Prussia, and Germany; it became part of Poland again in 1945, as a result of the border changes after World War II.
Historical affiliations
Duchy of Bohemia early 900s-990
Kingdom of Poland 990-1038
Duchy of Bohemia 1038-1054
Kingdom of Poland 1054-1202
Duchy of Silesia 1202-1335
Kingdom of Bohemia 1335–1526
Habsburg Monarchy 1526-1742
Kingdom of Prussia 1742-1871
German Empire 1871-1918
Weimar Republic of Germany 1918-1933
Nazi Germany 1933-1945
Republic of Poland 1945–present
Wroclaw's turbulent history is written in its walls. The isle of Ostrow Tumski reminds us of early medieval times. It is one of the most delightful and best-preserved examples of European sacral architecture. The Town Hall is counted among the most splendid Gothic buildings of Central Europe. In Wroclaw you will also find the biggest baroque chamber in Poland. It is called Aula Leopoldina in the 17th century University. Another architectural gems is The Centennial Hall. Wroclaw's theatres, cinemas, opera, musical theatre, philharmonic, museums, galleries and clubs offer a continuous string of artistic events. It is a place of famous international music and art festivals: Wratislavia Cantans - Music and Arts, Jazz nad Odra Festival, the Old Masters Music Days, the Actor Song Festival, the International All Saints Day Jazz Sessions, One Actor Theatre Meetings, New Horizons Festival .
Wrocław is one of the major university cities in Poland with University of Wroclaw, Wrocław University of Technology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław University of Economics, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, Karol Lipiński University of Music, Ludwik Solski Academy for the Dramatic Arts and Tadeusz Kościuszko Land Forces Military Academy.
The city is situated not far from tourist and health resorts and it is easy to get to the towns in the valley of Klodzko and Jelenia Gora within the Sudetes Mountains. Wroclaw is also a major transport centre: there are three international roads, 2 large train stations, 2 river harbours, an international airport - all of which connect the city to the world.
Useful information
Climate and weather
Poland has a temperate - warm climate but in the Sudetes and Carpathians there is also mountain climate. However , like all over Europe, the weather is becoming less predictable. Summer and early autumn are warm and this is a best time to travel. In summer, temperatures can soar, sometimes reaching around 30 degrees centigrade, particularly in July. Winters can be cold and sometimes harsh (can reach even 20 degrees centigrade below zero), so you need to wrap up well; the skiing season starts in late November and lasts until March. Note that in Mountains weather can change suddenly so be prepared. Below is the area forecast for our region (Jelenia Gora Valley and Sudetes Mountains).
Money
Whilst in Poland, you will need to budget for spending money to pay for drinks, souvenirs and other incidental costs. Prices in Poland are generally slightly lower than in Western Europe but in some hotels and restaurants they can be similar. Although is difficult to provide an exact figure for your daily expenditure, you should allow around EURO 30 a day. Here are some examples:
O,7l Heineken Beer at grocery: € 1,2
0,5l Carlsberg Beer in local pub: € 1,5
0,5l Polish Tyskie Beer at grocery: € 0,75
0,7l bottle of decent wine: € 5,5
1,5l bottle of mineral water: € 0,4
Loaf of bred: € 0,8
Big Mac: € 4,5
Lunch at decent restaurant: € 6-8 (soft drink or glass of wine/beer included)
Dinner at decent restaurant: € 10-15 (soft drink or glass of wine/beer included)
The currency in Poland is the Zloty (PLN). You can purchase these with the most common currencies such as: EURO, US, Canadian and Australian Dollars, UK Sterlings, Swiss Franc. Polish currency can be obtained in most towns and ATMs are common. Also many cash exchange points are available. There is no problem using your credit and debit cards in Poland, but Travellers Cheques can be difficult to cash at times.
Elctricity
in Poland the electricity supply is 220 volts; plugs are two-pin and of the type found in most European countries.
Local time
Poland is on Central European Time; one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
