For an overview of Leśna Podlaska, three themes are a good place to start: the history of the sanctuary, the town centre with its park, and the Chmielinne and Kołowierz forest areas. From the Marian image carved from fieldstone to the natural monuments in the forest, there are plenty of specific things to discover.
Sanctuary: church, chapel and Marian image
The sanctuary’s history spans several chapters. In 1706, Swedish troops plundered the parish Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Peter and Paul, as well as the Pauline monastery. The Chapel of the Apparition of the Miraculous Image was built in 1718 at the traditional site of the apparition and still stands today. The sanctuary church was consecrated on September 8, 1758, under the patronage of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Peter and Paul. In 1984, the church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica. Together, these dates offer a timeline of distinct events, from the plundering to the later designation as a minor basilica.
The sanctuary also houses a Marian image, a relief carved from fieldstone. It is 29.3 cm wide, 31.4 cm high and 4.6 cm thick, and weighs 9.5 kg. Its material and measurements give the artwork a tangible form alongside the broader themes of the church, monastery and chapel. Those interested in religious art will find not only a history of the buildings here, but also a single relief with precisely stated dimensions.
Town centre and historic park
At the heart of Leśna Podlaska are a triangular market square and an adjoining green space. The market square’s triangular shape is a distinctive feature of the townscape, while the green space forms a separate area directly beside it. The 3.5-hectare historic park lies behind the 17th-century building of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Leśna (Matki Bożej Leśniańskiej) and the Wincenty Witos Agricultural Training Centre School Complex (Zespół Szkół Centrum Kształcenia Rolniczego im. Wincentego Witosa). Its size and these two named landmarks help locate the park within the town centre.
A plan dated June 29, 2026, proposed creating a new, extensive tourist area in the historic park in the town centre by the end of 2027 as part of an EU-funded project. It also proposed a system of educational trails with a walking and cycling route just under 3.6 km long. The route was to lead from the town centre towards the nearby Chmielinne nature reserve. The plan specifies both the approximate route length and its direction; the area and route are described as proposals.
Chmielinne and Kołowierz: two forest areas
The Chmielinne forest nature reserve, also known as Las Chmielina, lies in the central part of the municipality, within the village of Leśna Podlaska. It is under partial protection, covers 67.2 hectares and was established in 1967. The Biała Podlaska–Stara Kornica regional road runs across the area. These details characterize Chmielinne by its protection status, area, year of establishment and the road crossing it.
Kołowierz, also known as Las Kołowierzch, differs in its location in the western part of the village, beside the Klukówka River. Alder trees predominate in the woodland. The forest is also home to five natural monuments: three pedunculate oaks, including Dąb Miłości (the Oak of Love), and two common ash trees. The two forest areas can therefore be compared by different features: Chmielinne is the partially protected area with a specified size, while Kołowierz is distinguished by the river, its alder woodland and its five natural monuments. These differences make Leśna Podlaska’s nature offerings more specific than a general choice between two forests.
When choosing your accommodation, you can first consider whether the sanctuary’s history or the landscape will play a greater role in your stay. The town centre and park add another clearly located focus in Leśna Podlaska.
Discover more destinations: Gnojno, Czosnówka, Kukuryki, Mokrany Nowe, Małaszewicze, Konstantynów, Terespol, Woskrzenice Małe
For the wider travel overview: Bialski.
