They are looking for treasures in the ground here. You can find agates in Lower Silesia

First impression after entering Lwówek? Space. It is surrounded by colorful tenement houses which, although largely rebuilt after the war, still bear traces of the past centuries. In the center there is the town hall, which immediately attracts attention. Its oldest, Gothic part with a high tower, dates back to the Middle Ages, and the later Renaissance structure with beautiful decorations added to it adds lightness.

However, the true character of the city is revealed when you immerse yourself in the network of streets leading to the powerful defensive walls. A walk along them is a fantastic history lesson in practice. Two huge towers, Lubańska and Bolesławiec, remind us of the times when the city was a rich fortress on the famous Via Regia trade route. You can see that the walls are part of the residents’ lives, and a walk along the alleys in their shade, among well-kept gardens and old trees, is pure pleasure and a moment of respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

But Lwówek is not only about wonderful architecture and urban history. Just a short walk outside the city will take you to a place whose landscape could rival that of many national parks. We are talking about Szwajcaria Lwówek – a picturesque landscape park that is a real treat for nature and hiking lovers.

This area, carved by water and wind, is full of fanciful sandstone formations that emerge from the dense forest. Walking along marked trails, you can admire rock tunnels, gorges and viewpoints offering a panoramic view of the Bóbr Valley and the Kaczawskie Foothills.

After a day full of excitement and walks, everyone deserves a moment of rest. There is a perfect place for this in Lwówek – Browar Lwówek 1209. The tradition of brewing beer in the city dates back to the Middle Ages and is associated with Prince Henryk the Bearded, who granted Lwówek Śląski the privilege of brewing and selling beer. The history of this drink has been intertwined with the history of Lwówek itself for centuries. Tasting freshly brewed local beer within the historic walls is an experience that cannot be denied.

The second day is worth devoting to an adventure that will stimulate children’s curiosity. This is an informal name for the areas where the land, thanks to the region’s volcanic past, hides real treasures. Agates are hidden inside inconspicuous, spherical lumps, the so-called geodes, which at first glance look like ordinary stones. After breaking such a “bun” – hypnotizing, colorful ribbons arranged in unique patterns appear inside. Each find is different and is a unique souvenir from the trip, and the satisfaction of finding a treasure yourself is enormous!

If the search for agates has whetted your appetite for more, be sure to plan a visit to Lwówek Śląski in July. This is when the city’s crowning event takes place – the Lwówek Agate Summer. It is the largest mineralogical event of this type in Poland and one of the largest in Europe, attracting thousands of collectors, craftsmen and tourists from all over the world every year.

For these few days, the Lviv market square turns into a gigantic, bustling fair. It is a paradise for lovers of jewelry, geology and unique handicrafts. But LLA is not only a trade fair. It is a real festival with a rich artistic program – concerts, a Treasure Hunters’ Parade, stone cutting and grinding shows, and numerous workshops for children and adults take place here. This is the time when Lwówek Śląski shows its most colorful face and attracts people from all over Poland.