Discover Wongrowitz

Wongrowitz reveals itself through natural and cultural features that give Wągrowiec County its distinctive character. Four rivers flow through the county: the Wełna, Nielba, Struga Gołaniecka and Mała Wełna. The confluence of the Nielba and Wełna is particularly notable: the two rivers cross each other here, creating a unique hydrological phenomenon.

Rivers and historic buildings

The history of architecture can also be traced at several places in the county. In Łekno, Zbylut of the Pałuki family founded a Cistercian monastery in the first half of the 12th century. The abbey is now considered the oldest in Polish territory. At the Łekno settlement complex, visitors can see discovered and conservation-protected remains of castle structures, a Romanesque rotunda and Gothic religious architecture. The different architectural remains make the site’s long history tangible through concrete forms.

In Gołańcz, a castle dating from the second half of the 14th century stands on the shore of Lake Smolary. It is a defensive residential tower, partly surrounded by surviving walls four metres high. The combination of tower, walls and lakeside setting gives the structure a different character from the religious and settlement remains at Łekno. Those interested in the region’s history will find a range of examples of medieval architecture here.

An announcement published on 4 March 2026 stated that Gołańcz Castle was to open to individual and group visitors from 10 March. Admission for the announced visit was free. Individual visitors did not need to book in advance, but had to collect a free ticket at the castle information point. Visits were to take place exclusively on guided tours, starting on the hour. Check the current visiting conditions before your trip.

Another historic monument is the Church of St Nicholas in Tarnowo Pałuckie, which was entered in the monuments register in 1933. Together with the monastic and castle remains, it offers another point of reference for the county’s religious history.

Greater Poland: trails and natural landscapes

Greater Poland also offers its own natural and cultural attractions. Wielkopolski National Park protects a glacially shaped landscape with forest and lake ecosystems among meadows, fields and erratic boulders. In 18 areas under strict protection, glacial landforms, near-natural plant communities and their associated animal life are preserved. The Ostoja Wielkopolska Natura 2000 site overlaps with the national park and encompasses undulating and hilly terrain on the left bank of the Warta, in the Greater Poland Lowland.

Nature trails offer further insights into the landscape and plant life. The Osowa Góra–Jeziory trail is 5.5 kilometres long, listed as a one-way route, and takes three hours to walk. It introduces visitors to the main plant communities and the natural features of areas under strict protection, and ends at a viewpoint overlooking the castle island in Lake Góreckie. The Nadwarciański nature trail is also 5.5 kilometres long; the stated walking time is three and a half hours. It follows the Warta and passes through habitats ranging from poplar-willow riparian forest to pine woods. The stated distances and walking times make it easy to compare the two trails by the time available.

For nature enthusiasts, Greater Poland also offers birdwatching in Nadwarciański Landscape Park. Wielkopolski National Park is also visited by cyclists. Alongside the historic sites of Wągrowiec County, these examples represent other attractions that may be relevant when planning a trip to Greater Poland.

Discover more destinations: Wągrowiec, Skoki, Grzybowo, Gołaszewo, Legowo, Mikołajewo, Sławica, Kobylec, Przysieczyn.

Go to the main travel overview: Greater Poland.