About the region

Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, with its capital in Wrocław, is located in south-western Poland and borders on the West with Germany, in the South with the Czech Republic, and on the Polish side with three voivodeships: Lubuskie, Greater Poland and Opole.

Lower Silesia – one of the most interesting regions of Poland.

Due to its location, it can boast an extremely turbulent history and inhabitants who can be described as a specific cultural melting pot. During its thousand-year history, the region changed its rulers several times. It was ruled by Poles, Czechs, Austrians and Germans in turn. After the war, as a result of the Potsdam Treaty, he returned to Poland.

• Wrocław – the capital of the region

The history of the region is best reflected in the capital city – Wrocław, a dynamic, beautiful city, full of fantastic monuments, but also a thriving economic and cultural center. European Capital of Culture 2016. In recent years, Wrocław has been ranked among the most interesting new European destinations, thus attracting numerous tourists from Poland and abroad. Investors are attracted to the city and the region due to the great location.

• Outside Wrocław

Świdnica, Wałbrzych, Legnica. Bolesławiec and Jelenia Góra are gaining more attractiveness thanks to the revitalization of historic parts of the cities, further investments and the creation of special economic zones. The local nature is a great setting for numerous architectural gems, historic cities and towns, dating back to the Middle Ages and forming the densest network in Poland.

• The land of a thousand castles

If, apart from the majestic preserved buildings, add to the count numerous ruins, per square meter, there are the most of them in Europe. “Polish Loire Valley”. In recent years, many palaces and castles have been renovated and turned into elegant hotels, thus Lower Silesia has become even more attractive on the tourist map of Poland.

• Natural wonders

In terms of landscape, it is an extremely interesting and diverse region, in the North there are Bory Dolnośląskie and the land of Milickie Ponds. The majority of them is a bird reserve, one of the largest and most interesting in all of Europe. In the central part, numerous hills reveal the proximity of the Sudetes, a mountain range on the border of Poland and the Czech Republic with the highest range of the Karkonosze Mountains. There is a climate similar to the Alpine one – with a lot of precipitation, low temperatures, which results in a long period in which we can meet snow. In winter, the local tourist centers are a fantastic location for an attractive incentive trip.

• Discover local handicrafts

The nineteenth century was a dynamic development of industry in the region, during which mines, steel mills and factories were built. Apart from coal mining, the local crafts developed. Popular, since the Middle Ages, Lower Silesian glass, especially crystals and ceramics from Bolesławiec, made the region famous all over Europe. Currently, the regional heritage is being recreated anew, cobalt ceramics with characteristic patterns or beautiful crystal glass have become a magnet attracting tourists not only to the capital of the region but also to smaller towns known for their crafts.

• Lower Silesian’s wine and beer trail

Lower Silesia has been known for the production of beer and wine since the Middle Ages. The oldest vineyards in Lower Silesia are among the largest in Poland, and the number of wine producers has been steadily increasing in recent years. In addition to wine, the region will also have a “golden drink”, and recently several interesting craft breweries have been established. Oenological and brewing tourism is developing.

• Region of mysteries and adventures

It is the most mysterious region in Poland, with numerous fortresses, castles, turbulent history, and extensive tunnels from the Second World War attract lovers of secrets and treasure hunters. The legend of the golden train contributed to this – the history of transporting valuables taken during the war from the besieged city of Breslau. A few years ago, information about the probable location of the treasure circulated around the world, but it was not confirmed, but Lower Silesia has become even more attractive.

Hotels

Wrocław remains the most frequently chosen location for conferences and congresses in the region, but it should be emphasized that Lower Silesia is increasing the number of well-prepared hotel facilities in mountain and spa towns each year. There are eleven valued health resorts in Lower Silesia, harmoniously integrated into the magnificent mountain landscapes, offering their guests wide opportunities for relaxation and treatment based on the natural healing resources that exist here. The oldest, continuously operating piano festival in the world takes place here – the International Chopin Festival in Duszniki Zdrój.

Who said you had to be a royal to live like one?

The impressive castles are what particularly attracts to the region. Many of them, in addition to their historical heritage, have conference and hotel facilities. In recent years, the number of private facilities serving as 5 *, 4 * and 3 * hotels has been growing.

Below is a brief overview of the most interesting castles – hotels.

• The most famous buildings in the region include the impressive Książ Castle, the third largest castle in Poland, which belonged to one of the richest families in Europe before the war, and the mysterious Czocha Castle. Both facilities, next to the museum zone, have hotel and conference facilities.

 Among the castles and palaces in private hands and converted into hotels, the following deserve special attention:

• Pałac Pakoszów 5***** (Piechowice)
• Pałac Staniszów 5*****
• Zamek Karpniki 4****
• Uroczysko  Siedmiu Stawów 4**** (Dzierżoniów)
• Zamek Kliczków 4****
• Pałac Wojanów 4**** (Łomnica)
• Brunów 4****
• Zamek Topacz 4**** (Bielany Wrocławskie ) Pałac Kamieniec 4****
• Pałac Krobielowice 3***
• Dębowy 4**** (Bielawa)
• Paulinum 4**** (Jelenia Góra)

• Spa cities

From the nineteenth century, mountain villages in the Karkonosze and Kłodzko Valley developed as popular health resorts based on climate and mineral waters. Leisure centers were established in the vicinity of Kłodzko – Polanica Zdrój or Duszniki Zdrój. In turn, on the outskirts of Jelenia Góra – Cieplice and the nearby Karpacz or Szklarska Poręba.

In recent years, numerous investments in pensions and hotels have allowed for a renaissance of mountain towns. Lower Silesia attracts both summer and winter enthusiasts, in the latter case, winter madness enthusiasts. Next to Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba, Świeradów Zdrój and Zieleniec are popular places visited by ski lovers.

All these places are a fantastic location for an attractive incentive trip. A rich accommodation base awaits in Karpacz. These are different categories of facilities – from apartments and categorized hotels, through holiday centers and guesthouses. The largest facilities with conference facilities are:

• Green Mountain Hotel*****
• Hotel Gołębiewski 5*****
• Lake Hill Resort & SPA
• Jelenia Struga Medical Spa 4****
• Kompleks Wczasowy Sandra SPA
• Osada Śnieżka
• Pałac Margot
• Hotel Karolinka
• Dziki Potok Hotel Konferencje Grill & Prestige SPA
• Nova Ski 3***

In Szklarska Poręba, we can find mainly elegant apartments and hotels, guesthouses, holiday resorts:

• Interferie Sport Hotel Bornit 5*****
• Platinum Mountain Hotel & SPA 5*****
• Blue Montain Resort 4****
• Hotel Kryształ Conference & SPA 3***
• Hotel Europa *** Górnicza Strzecha
• Hotel Sasanka 3***
• Hotel Las Piechowice 3***

Świeradów Zdrój offers a wide variety of apartments, hotels, holiday homes and guesthouses:

• Hotel Buczyński Medical & Spa 4****
• Cottonina Hotel & Mineral SPA Resort 3***
• Krasicki Resort Hotel & Spa 3***

In the Kłodzko Valley, the most interesting conference base can be found in Polanica Zdrój, Duszniki and Kudowa Zdrój:

• Hotel SPA Dr Irena Eris 5***** (Polanica Zdrój)
• Hotel Verde Montana Spa & Wellnes 4**** (Kudowa Zdrój)
• Hotel Polonia (Kudowa Zdrój)
• Centrum Zdrowia i Wypoczynku Nowy Zdrój 3*** (Kłodzko)
• Czarna Góra Resort – Górskie Centrum Konferencyjne ( Bystrzyca Kłodzka)
• Hotel Zamek Na Skale 4**** ( Lądek Zdrój)

Conference and business venues

• Lower Silesia is an ideal destination for incentives and business meetings.

The region has great potential for the development of the meetings industry. The dynamic city of Wrocław attracts the most investors and organizers of all kinds of events. In recent years, smaller cities have also been developing efficiently and quickly, due to the emerging or developing economic zones. On the other hand, the sightseeing and spa values, rich history and numerous castles create a suitable setting for meetings and conferences taking place in the region and are an additional magnet attracting people to Lower Silesia. The number of facilities and hotels is impressive and is constantly growing, and the variety of attractions will satisfy the most demanding.

For the enthusiast of  unusual spaces to organize a conference, Lower Silesia, apart from castles, palaces and hotels with conference facilities, offers several interesting and unconventional facilities. Undoubtedly, these include: the Cistercian Monastery in Krzeszów, the Old Mine Science and Art Center in Wałbrzych, and vineyards. 

In Wrocław, the substantive support is provided by the Convention Bureau Wrocław, while in the region the Lower Silesian Tourist Organization.

Local cuisine

• Cultural mosaic on the plate

The rich, turbulent history of Lower Silesia is reflected on the plate. The local regional cuisine is influenced by German, Czech, Austrian and Polish cuisine. Additionally, enriched with borderland cuisine, which it owes to the resettlement wave of Kresowiaks after World War II on the so-called Regained Lands. Hence, apart from traditional Silesian dishes, such as the Silesian sky or Silesian dumplings, the cuisine of the region is also represented by borderland specialties, such as cabbage rolls with porridge, lenten dumpling or the drink “kandybał”. Lower Silesia will also surprise you with original, traditional dishes, such as dumplings with crayfish necks.

• Gingerbreads not only in Toruń!

Lower Silesia is the oldest region of gingerbread traditions in Poland. Aromatic pastries have a longer history here than their competitors from Toruń. In Niemcza, we can take part in root workshops, and in Wrocław, we can buy delicious cakes.

• Regional cheese

In recent years, the region has been gaining more and more recognition as a producer of local cheese. It is worth trying goat, sheep and cow delicacies from Łomnica and Lutomierz. Cheese from Łomnica is served in the best restaurants in the country.

• Culinary routes

Tourists visiting the Silesian lands can follow existing culinary routes when choosing places. In Lower Silesia, the signpost will be the culinary trail “Tastes of Lower Silesia” and the “Lower Silesian Wine and Beer Trail”. Most of the facilities on the culinary routes are located in interesting interiors: in castles and palaces, in post-industrial facilities, in hotels and recreation centers, ideal for dinner or lunch during an incentive trip.

The most interesting attractions

• Churches of Peace in Świdnica and Jawor

The Protestant Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica are one of the most magnificent wooden churches you can see in Poland. In addition to the interesting history, typical for the region half-timbered construction, they delight with a rich polychrome interior. Both were entered on the UNESCO list in 2001. It is definitely worth visiting the interior if there is an opportunity to listen to organ concerts.

• Palaces and Gardens Valley

The Valley of Palaces and Gardens borders on the Karkonosze Mountains in the South, the Kaczawskie Mountains in the North, the Rudawy Janowickie Mountains in the East, and the Łomnickie Hills in the West. There are about thirty castles, palaces and manors all in  here. Therefore, at the beginning of the 19th century, the area was called the “Silesian Elysium”, comparing it to castles and palaces along the Loire Valley in France. The finest European families established their residences here. In addition to the aristocracy, artists, philosophers and nature lovers (eg Fryderyk Chopin, Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, John Quincy Adams) came here. Actions were taken to enter the Valley of Palaces and Gardens on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. 11 sites of the Valley of Palaces and Gardens were inscribed on the Monument to the History of the President of the Republic of Poland under the name “Palaces and landscape parks of the Jelenia Góra Valley”. The possibility of visiting castles and palaces, organizing bicycle trips will be an advantage when choosing a destination.

• Jelenia Góra

The city is located in a valley, between the Karkonosze and the Kaczawskie Mountains, on the Bóbr River. Jelenia Góra is also the Cieplice Health Resort and the foothill districts of Jagniątków, Sobieszów and Cieplice, which are the base for a trip to the Karkonosze Mountains.

• Cieplice

Cieplice is the oldest health resort in our country – it was established at the end of the 13th century. Cieplice is famous, as the name suggests ( in polish “cieplice” means something warm) means , for its healing thermal springs, the temperature of which reaches 90 degrees Celsius.

• Karkonosze – Karpacz

Karpacz is a town in the Giant Mountains located at the bottom of Śnieżka. In addition to resting in the mountains and skiing, Karpacz guarantees many other attractions – the most famous is the Wang Temple. It is an entirely wooden structure without the use of nails, it was constructed in Norway in the town of Vang at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries. Located at the foot of the charming Karkonosze Mountains, Karpacz, with Śnieżka towering over its surroundings, quickly became a holiday resort. The well-known center of winter sports – skiing, tobogganing, is an excellent starting point for hiking in the Giant Mountains. Various routes begin in several places in the village, which lead tourists along unusual paths into beautiful, charming mountain regions.

• Szklarska Poręba

A town in the vicinity of which two mountain ranges meet – the Jizera Mountains and the Karkonosze Mountains. Szklarska Poręba is additionally located at the bottom of Szrenica – a peak in the Karkonosze Mountains – which towers over the area. There are also two high Karkonosze waterfalls nearby: Kamieńczyk and Szklarki. The current Szklarska Poręba is a skiing, cycling and mountain tourism center.

• Świeradów Zdrój

Mountain resort located quite high (between 450-710 meters above sea level). Świeradów Zdrój is located near the border with the Czech Republic and Germany. It is also a health resort where rheumatic, cardiovascular and nervous system diseases are treated. Świeradów Zdrój offers skiing in the winter season. Thanks to the gondola lift, it is easy to reach the Izerski Stóg, where the 2,500-meter long ski slope awaits the amateurs of “white madness”, if necessary, the slope is artificially snowed and illuminated after dark. In the vicinity there are also easier and shorter runs and slopes, there are plenty of routes for “cross-country” skiing. Recently, Świeradów Zdrój and the Izerskie Mountains have become the most important places for mountain biking.

• “Julia “Crystal Glass Factory

The Julia Glassworks in Piechowice is a place where history, the beauty of glass masterpieces and the manual production process intertwine. Currently one of the few existing crystal glass producers in Poland. The historic factory is located in the heart of the Karkonosze, in Piechowice near Szklarska Poręba, and is available to visitors. Tourists can admire the manual process of producing glass masterpieces up close and participate in workshops where they learn the secrets of glass art.

• Boleslawiec Pottery

Ceramics in Bolesławiec is a pottery with a centuries-old tradition, the origins of which date back to the Middle Ages, when deposits of ceramic clay were discovered in the vicinity of Bolesławiec and beautiful Bolesławiec pots were produced. The products have gained popularity not only in Poland, but also abroad. Contemporary ceramics from Bolesławiec still draw inspiration from the old techniques of production and decoration, there are several dozen producers in the city. Decorating workshops and special exhibitions have been prepared for tourists. It is worth coming to Bolesławiec not only because of the ceramics, but also to see the local, beautifully renovated Market Square.

• Mysterious Underground Trail of WWII

For visitors to Lower Silesia, we also recommend underground tunnels, belonging to the great complex “Riese” shrouded in mystery. It is the largest, though never completed, mining and construction project of Nazi Germany, located in the Owl Mountains. The system of interconnected tunnels, tunnels and halls creates an underground city, so huge that it has not been fully discovered to this day. We especially recommend the Underground Cities of Osówka in Głuszyca or Walim.

• The Cistercian Route

The first Cistercian monasteries in Poland were established in the first half of the 12th century in Henryków, Kamieniec Ząbkowicki, Bardo Śląski and Trzebnica. The Cistercian Tourist Route is part of the European Cultural Route and is an excellent opportunity to learn about the cultural richness of the region. The most important post-Cistercian abbeys, rebuilt in the Baroque period, delight with their architecture and rich interiors made by the best artists of Silesia. There can be found till this day in Lubiąż, Trzebnica, Henryków, Kamieniec Ząbkowicki and Krzeszów.

• Papermaking Museum in Duszniki-Zdrój

Unique places on a global scale. The mill, which houses the museum and manufacture, is a beautiful, over 400-year-old facility that still produces paper. At the exhibition you can see, among others a collection of watermarked sheets from around the world, anti-counterfeiting screens, historical instruments for testing the properties of paper products (including banknotes) and original devices and models of machines used in paper factories. Guests can participate in workshops.

The ideas for incentives in Lower Silesia

• Lower Silesia is an ideal region for organizing an incentive trip.

An impressive list of monuments and natural attractions; a region shrouded in mystery; suitable place for adventure; vineyards, breweries, great cuisine and rich handicrafts.

• Night tour of the castles – an ideal proposition for each group. Fun, a bit of adrenaline, a way to integrate during the night walking through dark corridors, attics, cellars full of ghosts and white ladies. Thrilling night tours can be organized in Książ Castle and Czocha Castle.
• Vineyards – one of the most important and oldest wine regions in Poland. Many vineyards offer an interesting offer of tasting, picnics, for example: the largest vineyard in the region Jaworek wine knowledge course, professional tastings, cellar tours or a meal with properly selected wine.
• Breweries – Lower Silesia has a long history of brewing. An interesting supplement to the incentive program will be visiting the brewery (Lwówek Śląski) or tasting craft beers, e.g. in the legendary town of Miedzianka.
• Winter sports skiing – the Sudetes are perfect places for practicing winter sports. The most important centers with rich facilities for amateurs of white madness are Karpacz, Szklarska Poręba, Zieleniec, Świeradów Zdrój.
• Sports and nature – bicycles, mountain hiking, canoes. The offer of sports activities is very wide and can be adapted to the needs of the group.
• Underground Lower Silesia – underground cities from the war times, revitalized mines and impressive fortresses are perfect places to organize military and integration activities.
• Culinary – gingerbread baking workshops, wine and cheese tasting, visiting breweries, culinary lessons of regional cuisine will be the perfect complement to your stay in Lower Silesia.
• Handicraft workshops – Lower Silesia is a region where ceramics, glass and linen have been produced for centuries. In the living ceramics museum in Bolesławiec, we will paint patterns on the vessel, in the glassworks we will learn the art of engraving, and in the town famous for the production of linen we will try to weave a piece of fabric.

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