Niemojewice: History and kayaking on the Pilica

Niemojewice lies on the left bank of the Pilica and is now one of Warka’s districts; it was formerly a village. Archaeological traces date back to the early Roman Imperial period, while the Pilica also features on proposed kayaking routes. This gives you different options when planning your trip: local history, a short stretch on the water, or a multi-day tour.

A place with several layers of history

Niemojewice is dated as a settlement from the early Roman Imperial period, between 0 and 200 AD. During archaeological work, a post-built dwelling was discovered in an orchard. Finds from Niemojewice include pieces of slag, pottery shards, a spindle whorl and other valuable objects. The slag may point to the processing of bog iron ore. Together, these finds provide concrete points of reference for the early dating: alongside the building that was discovered, various objects and their possible significance are also central.

One of the earliest written mentions of Niemojewice dates from the early 15th century. In a 1406 document, Bishop of Poznań Wojciech Jastrzębiec transferred the tithe from the ducal village of Niemojewice to St John’s Cathedral in Warsaw. The document links the place name to a specific event and a particular date. This is a different kind of historical trace from the archaeological finds that tell the story of the settlement in the early Imperial period.

An inn is also part of the local history: in the 16th century, it stood in Niemojewice on a busy old trade route from Warka via Przybyszew to Nowe Miasto and was known throughout Masovia. The historic route reflects the connections between the roads of the time and places to stop for a meal; it should not be confused with a present-day walking or kayaking route. Anyone interested in the history of the place will find, alongside the early traces of settlement, a link to trade and travel in the 16th century.

Kayaking stretches on the Pilica

The Niemojewice–Warka kayaking stretch is 4 kilometres long and takes about an hour. The riverbank launch point is considered particularly suitable. Its length and approximate duration set this stretch apart from a multi-day tour, so you do not need to plan for the same amount of time.

A longer option is the proposed Szlak Pilicy kayaking route. It runs from Nowe Miasto nad Pilicą via Niemojewice to Mniszew on the Vistula and is 79 kilometres long. Three days are planned for completing it. When planning, you can choose between a single short stretch and the longer route along the waterway. Niemojewice lies on this proposed route; the stated three days refer to completing the full route, not to the short Niemojewice–Warka stretch.

If you are mainly interested in the Pilica, there are two kayaking options of different lengths to consider: the 4-kilometre stretch to Warka and the 79-kilometre Szlak Pilicy. If, on the other hand, you want to focus on the area’s history, you can explore the traces of settlement, the 1406 document and the story of the old trade route as topics in their own right.

Walks in the surrounding area

Nearby is the area between the Pilica and the escarpment at Bielany and Niemojewice. It is currently overgrown with shrubs and is used by Warka residents for outings and walks. This offers another kind of excursion alongside exploring local history and kayaking. The Pilica links the description of the area with the waterways mentioned above and the place used for walks.

For an overview of the wider area: Warka.