Jastrząb can be explored through three distinct highlights: the lake and reservoir area, a cycle path that passes through the town, and St. John the Baptist Church. This gives you a choice of water, cycling, and church art when planning your trip. You can plan your stay around whichever of these themes interests you most.

By the water: lake, beach, and activities

The lake in Jastrząb covers about 8 hectares. The lake complex includes sports fields and a small beach. At the reservoir, there is a two-tier sandy beach, as well as changing rooms and sanitary facilities. So, in addition to the lake itself, the beach and sports fields are other possible focal points by the water.

The reservoir is considered a destination for bathing, swimming, and fishing. Bathing and swimming focus on spending time in the water; fishing offers a different kind of activity. If changing rooms and sanitary facilities are important for your visit, check in advance whether they are currently available for use.

The cycle path as a separate highlight

The dark blue cycle path is 25 kilometers long and passes through Jastrząb. As a travel choice, it offers a different focus from the reservoir: here, the emphasis is on a route, while there it is on activities by the water. When choosing a destination, you can weigh up whether you would rather focus on a cycling route or something related to the lake.

Church: history and art

St. John the Baptist Church was built in 1677 to replace an earlier wooden church. This year of construction provides a historical reference point for the church; the works of art and the epitaph have their own dates.

The painting “The Virgin Mary with Child” dates from the late 16th century. “Our Lady of Sorrows,” from 1636, depicts Mary in a Baroque dress. The epitaph for Anna Dadzibosonka dates from 1670 and is written in rhyming Old Polish verse.

The dates thus range from the late 16th century through 1636 and 1670 to the church’s construction in 1677. This makes it possible to consider the works of art, the epitaph, and the building history side by side in time, without grouping them into a single period of creation.

The architecture offers another perspective. The chancel contains a stone portal with decorated iron doors, above which John the Baptist is depicted in a carving. Here, stonework, metalwork, and a figure of the church’s patron come together. This arrangement can be considered as a detail alongside the paintings and the inscription.

For those interested in culture, several different perspectives come together here: subject matter and clothing in the paintings, rhyming Old Polish verse, and the portal, doors, and carved figure. When choosing where to stay, you can therefore consider whether you would rather focus on activities by the water, a cycling route, or architectural history and art.

Discover more destinations: Ostałówek, Chlewiska, Chustki, Szydłowiec, Sulistrowice

Return to the wider travel overview: Szydłowiecki.