Sławków: History and Trails

History through different periods

The ruins of the Kraków Bishops’ castle in Sławków date from the 13th century. An archaeological reserve was established there on 30 October 1990. Together, these two dates provide a timeline for the history of the castle site: its roots reach back to the Middle Ages, while the reserve represents a later milestone.

At Rynek 2 stands the Austeria Miejska w Sławkowie, also known as “Pierwochą Zwana”. The wooden inn was probably built in 1781 and bore this name until Sławków lost its town rights in 1870. The probable construction date and the clear endpoint for the use of the name tell of different chapters in its history. The Chapel of Saint Rosalia also leads back to an early period: it was probably first built as a Passion column in 1536.

The parish Church of the Holy Cross offers another way to experience sacred art. Its wooden, plastered nave vault is decorated with polychrome paintings depicting the Coronation of the Virgin Mary and the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These clearly identified subjects give art lovers specific points of reference for appreciating the imagery alongside the city’s architectural history.

Trails with a historical and active focus

The Szlak Kruszcowy is an approximately six-kilometre historical and educational tourist route in Sławków. It was opened to visitors in 2023 and passes sites connected with former mining and smelting. The route draws attention to an aspect of local history that differs from the city’s architectural and artistic stories. Its approximate length gives you a clear sense of the scale of the excursion, while its theme indicates what the stops relate to.

Four tourist hiking trails run through Sławków and its surrounding area, making them suitable for active recreation as well as hiking and cycling trips. The red and blue tourist hiking trails pass through the centre, making it possible to explore the city’s sights. While the Szlak Kruszcowy focuses on the historical connection with mining and smelting, the red and blue trails are distinguished by their routes through the centre. Trail routes may change, so check the current route before setting out.

Nature education and everyday history

At the Centrum Edukacji Ekologicznej i Kulturowej, visitors learn about the city’s natural diversity through multimedia games, quizzes, films and listening stations with narration. These different formats offer a range of ways to engage with nature. If you are travelling with children and like to include several interests in your plans, games and quizzes can offer a different experience from a hike or a visit to historic buildings. The centre’s offerings may change over time; if a particular format matters to you, check in advance.

The ethnographic exhibition in the centre’s Lamus Zygmunta Glogera is another part of the area’s cultural history. It displays everyday objects from the 18th to the 20th century, spanning three centuries. This look at everyday items complements the stories of the castle, inn and sacred buildings with a different perspective: the past can be explored not only through buildings and images, but also through objects used in daily life. In Sławków, nature, everyday history, religious art and trails through the town and surrounding area offer different themes to explore.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide what you want to shape your stay around: historical and cultural sites, nature education, or active hiking and cycling trips. Sławków’s themes offer different starting points for planning your days, without requiring you to limit yourself to just one way of exploring.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Będzin, Czeladź, Siewierz, Wojkowice, Mierzęcice, Psary, Grodków.

Return to the main travel overview: Będzin.