Gateway to Masuria: the lakes Bachotek, Szczuka and Niewierz, the Drwęca Valley and Gothic churches from the 14th century just outside Brodnica.
About the commune
The Brodnica commune surrounds the town of Brodnica and calls itself the Gate of Masuria. Its territory includes the lakes Bachotek, Szczuka, Cielęta, Niewierz and Ostrów, and the Drwęca winds through the meadows and forests — one of the cleanest rivers in Poland and the country's largest ichthyological reserve.
Almost half of the commune lies within the protected landscape area “Dolina Drwęcy”. There is also a fragment of the Brodnica Landscape Park, the “Rzeka Drwęca” reserve and the “Jar Grądowy” reserve. Hiking, cycling and nature trails run through the commune, including the Way of St. James.
History enthusiasts will find 14th-century churches, manor-and-park complexes in Karbowo and Przydatki, a timbered arcade cottage in Szczuka and hillforts in Szczuka and on Lake Bachotek. Finds from the archaeological site in Mszano — traces of hunters from 10,000 years ago — can be seen at the Museum in Brodnica.
Worth seeing
Gorczenica
Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Gothic church from 1317 built of fieldstone and brick. Baroque main altar from around 1700 and a Renaissance pulpit with figures of the Evangelists.
Szczuka
Church of Saints Fabian and Sebastian
Gothic temple founded by the Teutonic Knights in the first half of the 14th century, first mentioned in 1414. Interior furnishings mainly from the 18th century.
Mszano
Church of Saint Bartholomew
Neo-Gothic red-brick church from the beginning of the 20th century, known for its exceptional polychromes.
Karbowo, Przydatki
Manors in Karbowo and Przydatki
Manor-and-park complexes; in Karbowo the farmstead buildings of the manor have been preserved.
Bobrowiska
Nature trail and lookout tower
Walk along a nature trail with a tower from which you can see the surrounding forests and meadows.
Bachotek, Szczuka, Niewierz, Ostrów
Commune lakes
Lakes among the forests — for swimming, kayaking and walking along the shore.
Tour OperatorOtherFundacja Brama EpokBrodnica
Tour OperatorAccommodationKajak CBRBrodnica
OtherPralnia Wodna MAL-GUTCielęta
