VeloLiberty. Day Four. The Plum Capital of Poland.

Day Four. May 2, 2025. The Plum Capital of Poland.

In the morning, I stopped by the town of Raków. The town center was lively, with local residents from nearby villages gathering to buy groceries and exchange news.

Next, I headed to Szydłów — informally known as the plum capital of Poland. It’s a small town with a population of about a thousand people, but it boasts a rich history. A well-preserved 14th-century Royal Castle still stands here, now restored and open to visitors. From its fortress walls, you get beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Ancient town gates, fragments of defensive walls, a late-Gothic church, and one of Poland’s oldest synagogues, dating back to the 16th century, have survived to this day. The synagogue now houses a museum and cultural center dedicated to the Jewish community and the history of the town itself.

On the way, I unexpectedly met Jan Klamczyński — the former mayor (wojt) of the Szydłów municipality, who served from 2002 to 2018. These days, he personally welcomes tourists and enthusiastically shares stories about his town’s past. He’s also the one who came up with the idea of hosting the Święto Śliwki (Plum Festival), which has since become Szydłów’s signature annual event.

I also made a stop in Kurozwęki, home to a historic 16th-century manor house, later rebuilt in a classical style. There’s also a unique American bison farm — Gospodarstwo Bizonów w Kurozwękach. Visitors can take tours, stroll through the estate, and observe these impressive animals up close — a truly unusual and memorable spot.

I camped overnight by Zalew Chańcza, the largest artificial reservoir in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. It’s a fantastic place to relax: clean water, well-kept beaches, forests all around, and a genuine sense of tranquility. You can swim, kayak, or simply sit by the shore, listening to the rustling trees and the soothing sounds of nature.

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