Discover Kartuzy: Kashubian Culture and Trails

Kartuzy combines Kashubian cultural heritage with walking paths, marked routes and a rail connection to Trójmiasto. Highlights include a Gothic collegiate church, a museum of Kashubian culture and trails along two lakes. There are also a range of outdoor options, from a nature trail in the arboretum to longer Nordic walking and cycling routes.

Collegiate Church and Kashubian Heritage

The Gothic collegiate church dates from the 14th century. It is one of Pomerania’s most valuable architectural monuments and unique on a national scale; it also bears witness to the work of the Carthusian Order. One striking detail is its Baroque roof, shaped like a coffin lid. It symbolizes the Carthusian monks’ monastic way of life, summed up in “memento mori” — “Remember death.” The church thus brings together Gothic architectural history and a later roof element designed to carry meaning.

The Franciszek Treder Kashubian Museum is devoted to literature, material culture, language, regional history and traditions. Its exhibits are spread across eight galleries in the main building. They include Bazyli’s forge, the exhibition “Kaszubska współczesność z korzeni wyrasta” and temporary exhibitions. The various themes range from crafts and language to contemporary regional life and history.

The musical history of the collegiate church can also be traced through time: in 2008, the summer organ concert series was renamed “Kartuski Festiwal Muzyki Organowej i Kameralnej.” A total of 140 concerts were held there between 1983 and 2019. A steam locomotive is also displayed at Kartuzy railway station as a technical monument and testament to the railway tradition. It was brought from Chojnice to Kartuzy in 1992.

Lakeside Paths and the Arboretum

The Promenada Asesora is a walking and cycling path along the shore of Jezioro Karczemne. It is connected to Ławka Asesora, which serves as a viewpoint over Kartuzy. The promenade is a popular destination for excursions by local residents and tourists alike. Another promenade was built on the shore of Jezioro Klasztorne Małe in 2020. Paths along two different lakeshores are thus part of the townscape.

The Arboretum Leśników Kartuskich lies on the northwestern edge of town. It covers 4.03 hectares of woodland that has been managed for more than 100 years. It is home to 23 species and varieties of woody plants, as well as more than 150 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs. A nature trail about one kilometre long runs through the arboretum. The plant collection and trail combine botanical diversity with a defined walk through the grounds.

Routes for Different Day Plans

The green Nordic walking route around Kartuzy starts and ends at Ławka Asesora. It runs entirely through the forest, along wide surfaced paths and hilly terrain, and passes close to small forest lakes. Nordic Walking Route No. 1 offers different details for planning: it covers 8.4 kilometres in about two hours, from Ławka Asesora via Kosy and Bilowo to Kartuzy. For this route, the distance and approximate duration are specified; the green route is described in terms of forest, surface and terrain. The municipal route descriptions for Route No. 1 and the Szlak Kartuski PTTK are dated 27 June 2016. Check their course before setting out.

The blue-marked Szlak Kartuski PTTK leads from the Tri-City (Trójmiasto) across the Kashubian Lake District to Kartuzy. Another cycling route, the Kartuska Nature Bike Route, is marked in green and is just under 26 kilometres long. The details on markings and length provide a brief guide without implying that the routes are the same.

Getting There and Planning Your Visit

Kartuzy has a rail connection to Trójmiasto. An hourly service is described for summer; check the timetable for your travel date before setting off. The Tourist Information Centre is located near the collegiate church in the Brama Kaszubskiego Pierścienia, ul. Klasztorna 1. Check opening hours and current services before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Widlino, Zukowo, Borowo, Brodnica Górna, Dzierzazno, Garcz, Golubie, Goreczyno, Kaliska, Kamienica Krolewska, Kartuzy, Lapalice, Mirachowo, Pierszczewo, Prokowo, Sianowo, Sianowska Huta, Somonino, Reskowo, Miechucino, Ostrzyce, Przewóz, Kiełpino, Leźno, Brodnica Dolna, Kamienicki Mlyn, Lemany, Mezowo, Sznurki, Kielpino K Kartuz, Ręboszewo, Wyczechowo, Czeczewo, Miszewko, Długi Kierz, Puzdrowo, Łączyno, Załakowo, Delowo, Nowa Sikorska Huta, Tokary, Chmielno, Borucino, Przyjaźń, Banino, Smołdzino, Wiezyca, Suleczyno, Sikorzyno, Grzybno, Egiertowo, Kczewo, Starkowa Huta, Stare Czaple, Rąb, Sulmin, Zgorzałe

See the main travel overview: Pomerania.