The 17th-century town hall clock and the 23.6-hectare city park give Ohlau two distinct focal points: a rich cultural history and an educational ecological trail. For trip planning, the key difference is access: the town hall tower opens only occasionally on municipal holidays and during events; the park offers its own focus on nature education.

Town Hall Tower: A Visit for a Special Occasion

The town hall tower houses a 17th-century figurative astronomical clock. It is considered a unique monument in Europe, featuring moving figures. The tower occasionally opens to visitors during municipal holidays and events such as Dni Koguta or Museum Night. On these occasions, visitors can view the clock mechanism up close and access the viewing gallery, which offers views across the city and its surroundings. These openings are tied to specific occasions and do not take place daily. If visiting the tower is important to your trip, check in advance whether a suitable holiday or event with a tower opening is scheduled.

City Park and Route

Ohlau City Park covers 23.6 hectares and features an educational ecological trail established in 2013. Within the extensive park, the trail focuses on ecological education, offering a different emphasis from the historic technology at the town hall. Route No. 1, “In the Footsteps of Nature Reserves,” starts at Oława railway station. This presents two different planning considerations: the event date is key for visiting the tower, while the railway station is the stated starting point for the route.

Historic Sites in the Gmina Oława

Several historic sites in the Gmina Oława add to the region’s cultural attractions. Well-preserved ramparts several metres high remain from the former fortified settlement of Ryczyn. The castle in Oleśnica Mała is one of the largest castles in Lower Silesia. In Jakubowice, a 19-hectare English-style park adjoins the castle. The three sites have distinct features: Ryczyn is a former fortified settlement, Oleśnica Mała is a castle of regional importance, and Jakubowice combines a castle with a park.

Landscape and Activities in Oławski County

Oławski County lies in the lowlands of Lower Silesia and in the Oder Valley. The Oława, together with the Oder and the Smortawa, forms the county’s waterway axis. The Oder and its tributaries provide good conditions for water sports and organised kayaking trips. A nature reserve in the county is also located in the Grądy Odrzańskie area, which is part of the Natura 2000 network. Alongside the city’s history, visitors can therefore choose to explore the region’s river landscapes and nature conservation.

There are 44.28 km of cycling paths in the Gmina Oława and the city of Oława. The Gmina Oława also lists hiking and horse riding among the tourist activities available in its area. These options complement the park and river landscape, offering further ways to shape a stay.

Regional Connections and Events

Railway Main Line No. 132 runs through the centre of Oławski County as part of the trans-European rail corridor E 30 Berlin–Wrocław–Katowice–Lviv–Kyiv. A traditional Easter market, organised by the Gmina Oława and the city of Oława, is also listed as an event. Together with the occasional tower openings, these offer different cultural occasions to consider when planning a trip.

Discover more destinations: Oława, Jelcz-Laskowice, Lubański, Frankenstein, Bolesławiecki, Reichenbach, Świdnicki, Wroclaw.

For the wider travel overview: Lower Silesia.