A Baroque roof shaped like a coffin lid makes the collegiate church in Karthaus unmistakable: it recalls the Carthusian monks’ monastic way of life and the phrase “memento mori”—“remember that you must die.” Together with the Kashubian Museum, lakeside paths and routes through woodland and rolling hills, Karthaus offers different ways to spend your stay.
Church, Museum and Railway History
The Gothic collegiate church dates from the 14th century. It bears witness to the work of the Carthusian Order, is one of Pomerania’s most valuable architectural monuments and is unique on a regional scale. Its architecture thus combines a specific historical connection with distinctive symbolism: the Baroque roof, shaped like a coffin lid, represents the monks’ monastic way of life. Those interested in architectural history will find a striking subject here, distinct from the museum’s collection of regional everyday culture.
The Franciszek Treder Kashubian Museum presents Kashubian heritage through literature, material culture, language, regional history and traditions. Its exhibits are on display in eight galleries in the main building. Notable features include Bazyli’s blacksmith’s workshop, the exhibition “Kaszubska współczesność z korzeni wyrasta” and temporary exhibitions. This offers several ways to approach a museum visit: language and literature sit alongside material culture and historical topics.
The musical history of the collegiate church also has a clear timeframe. The summer organ concert series was renamed “Kartuski Festiwal Muzyki Organowej i Kameralnej” in 2008. A total of 140 concerts were held there between 1983 and 2019. A steam locomotive at the railway station also recalls the town’s railway heritage as a technical monument; it was brought from Chojnice to Karthaus in 1992.
Lakeside and Woodland Trails
The Promenada Asesora is a walking and cycling path along the shore of Lake Karczemne. It is connected to the Ławka Asesora, which serves as a viewpoint over Karthaus. The promenade is also a popular destination for outings by locals and tourists. Another promenade, along Lake Klasztorne Małe, was established in 2020. Those who prefer exploring a leafy setting can visit the Arboretum Leśników Kartuskich on the northwestern edge of town: it covers 4.03 hectares of woodland managed for timber for more than 100 years. It is home to 23 species and varieties of woody plants, as well as more than 150 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs. A nature trail about one kilometre long runs through the arboretum.
For a longer hike, the green Nordic walking route around Karthaus runs entirely through woodland, along wide, surfaced paths and hilly terrain, and close to small forest lakes. It starts and ends at the Ławka Asesora. Nordic Walking Route No. 1 follows a different course: a municipal description published on 27 June 2016 gives its distance as 8.4 kilometres and the walking time as about two hours, from the Ławka Asesora via Kosy and Bilowo to Karthaus. Check the route before setting out. The blue-marked Szlak Kartuski PTTK also runs from Trójmiasto through the Kashubian Lake District to Karthaus, according to a municipal description published on 27 June 2016; here too, check the details before setting off.
For cyclists, the green-marked Kartuska Nature Bike Route, at just under 26 kilometres, is another option. The routes described differ in activity and in the features highlighted: Nordic Walking Route No. 1 includes its distance and approximate walking time, while the green route around Karthaus focuses on woodland, path surfaces, terrain and lakes.
Getting to Karthaus and Finding Accommodation
Karthaus has a rail connection to Trójmiasto. The Tourist Information Centre is near the collegiate church, in the Brama Kaszubskiego Pierścienia at ul. Klasztorna 1. Check current opening hours and services before your visit. This will help you choose a destination based on the experiences that interest you most in Karthaus.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Widlino, Borowo, Brodnica Górna, Dzierzazno, Garcz, Golubie, Goreczyno, Kaliska, Kamienica Krolewska, Kartuzy, Lapalice, Mirachowo, Pierszczewo, Prokowo, Sianowo, Sianowska Huta, Somonino, Reskowo, Miechucino, Ostrzyce, Przewóz, Kiełpino, Leźno, Brodnica Dolna, Kamienicki Mlyn, Lemany, Mezowo, Sznurki, Kielpino K Kartuz, Ręboszewo, Wyczechowo, Czeczewo, Miszewko, Długi Kierz, Puzdrowo, Łączyno, Załakowo, Delowo, Nowa Sikorska Huta, Tokary, Chmielno, Borucino, Przyjaźń, Banino, Smołdzino, Wiezyca, Suleczyno, Zukowo, Sikorzyno, Grzybno, Egiertowo, Kczewo, Starkowa Huta, Stare Czaple, Rąb, Sulmin, Zgorzałe.
For the broader travel overview: Pomerania.
