Huta Kalna – Village History, Church and the Arboretum Trail
Accommodation in Huta Kalna
In Huta Kalna, protected village history, a historic church and a hiking and cycling route come together. The entire village is protected as a historic rural settlement. Lake Szarmachy, which serves as a bathing area, is also located in the Huta Kalna sołectwo. The Arboretum Trail runs through Huta Kalna and continues to the arboretum and dendrological garden in Wirty. These different highlights make the village interesting to travelers looking to include culture, water or a longer route in their plans.
Panorama pól za kościołem w Hucie Kalnej
Photo: Ryszard Wojdowski via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The village as a historic settlement
Protection does not apply only to individual buildings: it covers the entire village of Huta Kalna as a historic rural settlement. Protected features include the historic spatial layout, historic plot divisions and the historic road network. The arrangement of farmsteads, small monuments and historic greenery associated with the buildings and road network are also part of this settlement. This means that, alongside buildings, the structure of the plots, the roads and the arrangement of the farmsteads are also central. Those interested in the village’s history can therefore explore Huta Kalna not only through individual buildings, but also through the interplay of these different features.
St. Joseph’s Church and historic furnishings
St. Joseph’s Church is a Neo-Gothic church built in 1894 by members of the Evangelical Church of the Prussian Union. Its construction date, architectural style and religious context at the time offer different points of reference for understanding its history. The movable historic furnishings include a wooden choir dating from the 1940s and a baptismal font from the late 19th century. A wooden figure of Christ on the cross may date from the 18th century.
The present-day rectory of St. Joseph’s parish also has a history of its own: it is the former pastor’s house, built in 1907. The church and rectory thus represent different chapters in the village’s history; when considering their architectural history, the dates should be attributed to the respective buildings.
Former cemetery east of the village center
The cemetery in Huta Kalna is a former Evangelical cemetery dating from 1894. It lies east of the village center on a gentle natural slope. A path runs through the middle of the cemetery from north to south toward the chapel. Its location and the direction of the path provide a clear spatial reference point within Huta Kalna. Along with the church and rectory, the cemetery adds another connection to the village’s Evangelical history.
Bathing area and the Arboretum Trail
Lake Szarmachy is located in the Huta Kalna sołectwo and serves as a bathing area. Travelers who want to include a swim in their choice of destination will find a clearly identified place by the water here. The lake is a distinct highlight alongside the village’s history and architecture.
For outdoor activity, the Arboretum Trail leads from Huta Kalna via Mały Bukowiec and Twardy Dół to the arboretum and dendrological garden in Wirty. The cycling and hiking route is 26 km long and unmarked. Its length and lack of markings are useful details to consider when deciding whether the route fits your travel plans. Since it is described as suitable for both cycling and hiking, you can weigh up these two options while keeping the distance in mind.
More places: Mermet, Piece, Ocypel.
For the broader travel overview: Czarna Woda.
