Jelenia Gora

From Wikitravel

Jelenia Gora [1], (German: Hirschberg im Riesengebirge), is a city in Dolnoslaskie, in Poland.

[edit] Get in

By train:

Polish National Railways PKP, directly from Wrocław. However, the train connections are very slow and the toilets in the cars are dirty.

By bus:

PKS Jelenia Góra - runs daily from Wrocław.

Krycha - departs daily from the Wrocław bus station. No website in English, direct link to timetable

Be aware that on Fridays during the academic year getting a place on a bus to Jelenia Góra may be a problem. That is why it may be worthwhile to purchase a ticket in advance.

[edit] Get around

By public transport

MZK connects all major areas of the town. No website in English.

[edit][add listing] See

Town centre with the Town Hall Square and the main promenade, the Saint Erazm and Pankracy Church and the Sanctuary of the Holy Cross.

Karkonoskie Museum with large collections of glass work and artifacts from the region's past.

Cieplice - a spa district of Jelenia Góra with its park, the Schaffgotsch palace, Spa Theatre, Museum of Natural History, Church of St John the Baptist and Church of the Saviour.

Chojnik Castle - nearby Sobieszów, a suburb of Jelenia Góra; a walk takes approximately 1.5 hour return.

Gerhart Hauptmann House - the house of the German dramatist and novelist who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1912. He lived in the House from 1901 until his death in 1946. The House is located in Jagniątków, now a suburb of Jelenia Góra and hosts a museum in his memory. Open daily except for Mondays. Website in Polish and German only.

[edit][add listing] Do

International Film Festival ZOOM - ZBLIŻENIA - in February, independent film art festival, features screenings, workshop, prizes.

Wandering Theatres Festival - continuation of the Street Theatres Festival; takes place in August in various towns in the region including Jelenia Góra, Gryfów Śląski, Lubań, Lwówek Śląski, Wleń.

Jeleniogorski September (Wrzesień Jeleniogórski) - each year in September, features series of workshops, concerts, exhibitions, theatre performances, presentations, competitions, markets and other events.

Festival "Silesia Sonans" - takes place in September; the organ music festival.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are various shops located in the centre of Jelenia Góra and its suburb, Cieplice.

Two major shopping centres are Tesco and Echo shopping centres. To get to the Tesco shopping centre you can just take a walk from the town centre. There is also a bus 'TES' running from Zabobrze to the shopping centre. To get to the Echo shopping centre take a bus no. 6, 7 or 27.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Various restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets etc. are located in the vicinity of the Town Hall Square and 1st May Street in the city centre. You will also find restaurants and pubs in Cieplice around the Piastowski Square.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Try some hot spring water from Cieplice spa. The spa's history dates back to XIII century and since then it has been used for various ailments. Among the notable visitors were the Polish Queen Marysieńka, the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the future American president John Quincy Adams.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

You will often find the locals displaying signs usually in Polish and German ("pokoje/Zimmer") to advertise rooms available for short-term stays. However, note that you will mostly see them along the main roads and not in the city centre or residential areas.

There are also many hotels, especially in Cieplice as its hot spring water is popular with visitors.

[edit] Get out

Karpacz - a tourist resort in Karkonosze, the highest mountain range nearby. From here numerous walking tracks start. You can hike just a few hours, the whole day or even stay overnight in the mountains in one of the hostels. The Wang Church is a popular attraction. A skiing destination in winter.

Rudawski Landscape Park - landmarks include Krzyżna Mountain, Skalnik Mountain, mountain hut Szwajcarka. Good for leisurely hikes; also popular with climbers.

Szklarska Poręba - a tourist resort in Karkonosze. Many walking tracks start from here and will take you into the mountains. In winter you can do some downhill and cross-country skiing. Famous for its international cross-country skiing competition "Bieg Piasów".

Uranium mines in Kowary: open daily except 1.01, Ester Sunday, 01.11, Christmas Day, sightseeing only with a guide, tours can be in Polish, German or English; time needed: 1 hour. It takes 20-30 minutes to get there from Jelenia Góra by bus. PKS buses run daily from Jelenia Góra.