Wisła Mała: Cycling Route and St James’ Church

For a trip to Wisła Mała, two clearly defined themes can help guide your plans: cycling along a section of EuroVelo R4 and the history of the Church of St James the Greater. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether the route or the historic architecture will be the main focus of your trip. The church is also on the Wooden Architecture Trail of the Silesian Voivodeship. This brings together a distinctive cycling focus and a specific cultural attraction in Wisła Mała.

Cycling in Wisła Mała

The 36 km section of EuroVelo R4 passes through Wisła Mała and is marked with green trail signs. For cyclists, the route’s length, course and markings are specified; check the local signs before setting off. If you are looking for a hotel for a cycling-focused trip, you can use this connection to the route as one factor in choosing your destination. The distance refers to the described section of EuroVelo R4; you can plan your own stage separately.

Church of St James the Greater

The Church of St James the Greater and the bell tower, built later, date from the 18th century and were erected in place of an earlier building from the 15th or 16th century. The church was extended during the interwar period. Its building history can thus be understood as a sequence: the earlier building was followed by the 18th-century reconstruction, and the extension was added later.

The furnishings also feature specific dates and a range of subjects. The main altar dates from 1776 and displays an image of St James; above it is an image of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus. The left side altar contains an image of Divine Providence dating from 1776, while the right one features St Valentine from 1804. The furnishings also include a baptismal font from 1780 and a confessional from the 18th century. The church is on the Wooden Architecture Trail of the Silesian Voivodeship, placing it on a regional architecture trail as well.

Pszczyna as a wider travel destination

The wider destination of Pszczyna offers other attractions specifically located there. Pszczyna Historic Park covers 156 hectares and includes the Castle Park, Dworcowy Park and Dziką Promenada. A well-maintained golf course is located in Dziką Promenada. The Pokazowa Zagroda Żubrów, a show reserve for European bison, is also located there. The 10-hectare reserve has enclosures and paths from which you can also observe fallow deer, red deer, roe deer and pheasants. Parkland, golf and wildlife viewing offer a different focus from the cycling route and church in Wisła Mała.

Pszczyna also offers attractions for those interested in culture. The Castle Museum in Pszczyna is an example of the residences once inhabited by European aristocracy; around 80 percent of its original furnishings from around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries have been preserved. The Old Town retains its medieval urban layout, and Piastowska Street is Pszczyna’s main pedestrian street. The Silesian Press Museum exhibition traces the history of the Silesian press from its beginnings to 1939; the museum also collects historic printing presses and printing equipment. Since 1979, Baroque concerts called “Wieczory u Telemanna” have been held in the Mirror Room of the Castle Museum.

Discover more destinations: Suszec, Pszczyna, Studzienice, Bad Gottschalkowitz, Brzeźce, Pielgrzymowice, Łąka, Warszowice.

Back to the wider travel overview: Pszczyna.