KARKONOSZE MOUNTAINS Szklarska Poreba Karpacz Jelenia Gora

 


 

 

TRIP AROUND JELENIA GÓRA OLD TOWN
 

It is best to start the trip around the historical Jelenia Góra from the market square. The tenement house built around it have Baroque facades and the only complete row of arcade houses in Silesia.   The Town Hall is located centrally in the market square. The Classicist building is connected with a passage on the second floor with merchants' tenement houses. In the past, there was a tram line under the connecting passage. Today, only one rail from the tram line has been left as a reminder. Over the central entrance to the building, there is a notice in Latin about Bolesław III Wrymouth, who is supposed to have founded Jelenia Góra in 1108, a fact that archaeologists are unable to confirm. However, they are also unable to disprove the legend of the Piast king who killed a huge stag (jeleń) on a hill, thus the name of the settlement.

Close to the main entrance to the Town Hall there is a fountain with Neptune, which arouses interest not because of its historical character, but rather on account of the figure of Neptune. The fountain and the sculpture were funded in the 18th century by merchants of Jelenia Góra, who enjoyed the kind eye of Fate. They traded with almost the whole world, also sending their goods by sea. In the past, there was a town well in this place.

Near the market square, to the west, there are two towers: Grodzka and Zamkowa. These two towers are what remained of town's fortifications, finally demolished in the 19th century. The Grodzka Tower is the seat of Tourist Information.

Walking in the opposite direction, we reach the 13th century Erazma i Pankracego Church. The church, continually redeveloped, owes its present form to a fire and the subsequent rebuilding in the year 1549. Deserving of attention are the side entrance to the church and just beside the presbytery. These are the oldest fragments of the temple. It is also worth having a closer look at the supporting sculptures and three portals. The Baroque ambo at the level of first floor on the le ft side of the tower is a unique monument. The altar dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. The creator of this exceptional work was the Norwegian Tomas Weisfeldt. Rich ornaments and figures of saints and angels draw the attention of visitors. Saints Erazm and Pankracy are patrons of Jelenia Góra. In the vicinity of the church, there are remains of defence walls.

Walking away from the market square to the east, we come across St. Anna's Chapel. It is a rare example of the fusion of a chapel with a bastille. Nearby is Wojanowska Gate, one of the three town gates of Jelenia Góra. One will also notice the penitential cross, built-in in medieval times. The building dates back to the years 1709-15. It was erected on the site of an earlier temple, destroyed by fire.

Continuing the trip along the pedestrian walkway, we stroll among tenement houses built in the last three centuries and reach St. P eter and Paul's Church. Today, the building houses an Orthodox Temple.   Notice the wall from on side of the street, wher e two penitential crosses were built-in. The current form of the building dates from the year 1773.

Slightly further on stands the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church. It is a typical representative of churches built in the Baroque period (1718). The builders drew their ideas from St. Catherine's Church in Stockholm. The church was built on the plan of a cross. Note the renovated, lavish polychromes and organs with extraordinary sound. After their renovation, sev eral concerts have been recorded here. Music lovers should visit the church in September during the International Organ Festival. There used to be a cemetery around the church. Today, only the tombs of rich burgess are preserved. This is a typical example of Baroque cemetery art.

 

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