Staszow

Staszów is an administrative seat in southern Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, located along the Czarna Staszowska River between the Holy Cross Mountains to the north and the Vistula River basin to the south. Granted city rights under Magdeburg law in 1525, the town expanded as a regional manufacturing and trading center under noble families such as the Opalińskis, Tęczyńskis, and Czartoryskis. During the 18th century, Staszów gained fame across Poland for its cloth workshops and the production of distinctive curved cavalry sabres known as staszówki.

The town center retains an 18th-century street layout organized around a central market square (Rynek), an arcaded town hall, and a 14th-century parish church housing a late Renaissance burial chapel. Outside the urban core, pine forests and small lake clusters provide recreation areas for swimming, boating, and forest cycling.

Staszów experiences a warm-summer continental climate. Summers bring average daytime temperatures of 22–26°C with moderate rainfall. Winters are cold, with daytime averages between −3°C and 2°C and regular snowfall.

By Air

No air service operates directly to Staszów. The nearest commercial passenger airports are:

• Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport (RZE): 85 km south (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes by car via DK9 and DW875). Served by LOT Polish Airlines, Ryanair, and Wizz Air with connections to Warsaw and various European cities.
• Warsaw-Radom Airport (RDO): 115 km north (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes by car via DK9). Served by LOT with seasonal European routes.
• Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK): 140 km southwest (approx. 2 hours 15 minutes by car via DK79 or DK73). Major international hub with extensive worldwide flights.
• Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW): 205 km north (approx. 2 hours 45 minutes by car via express road S7 and DW764).

By Train

No passenger train service runs to Staszów. The local railway station handles freight traffic only along rail lines 70 and 75.

To travel by train, take PKP Intercity or Polregio rail services to a nearby junction, then transfer to a regional bus:

• Kielce station (54 km northwest): Frequent direct trains from Warsaw (2 hr 15 min), Kraków (1 hr 30 min), and Lublin (2 hr 30 min).
• Sandomierz station (45 km east): Polregio regional trains connecting from Rzeszów and Lublin.
• Tarnobrzeg station (36 km east): Regional and long-distance trains from Rzeszów and Lublin.

By Bus

Regional buses provide the main public transit connections:

• From Kielce: PKS Staszów and private minibuses depart regularly from the Kielce bus terminal (Dworzec Autobusowy). The journey takes 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes via DW764 and costs 16–22 PLN ($4–$5.50 USD).
• From Kraków: Direct coaches run from Kraków MDA bus station (journey time 2.5 to 3 hours, 35–45 PLN / $9–$11.50 USD).
• From Warsaw: Long-distance buses run from Dworzec Zachodni (journey time 3.5 to 4 hours, 50–65 PLN / $12.50–$16 USD).
• From Sandomierz: Local lines run several times daily (journey time 45–55 minutes, 12–16 PLN / $3–$4 USD).

Buses arrive at the Staszów bus terminal (Dworzec Autobusowy) close to the center. Schedules and tickets are available on e-podroznik.pl.

By Car

Staszów sits at the crossroads of two regional highways (drogi wojewódzkie):

• DW764: Runs northwest to Kielce (54 km, 50 minutes) and southeast to Połaniec (17 km, 18 minutes), where it meets national route DK79.

• DW757: Connects northeast to Opatów (34 km, 35 minutes) and southwest to Stopnica (24 km, 25 minutes), linking to national route DK73.

• From Warsaw: Take expressway S7 south to Kielce, then follow DW764 southeast to Staszów (205 km, approx. 2 hours 45 minutes).

• From Kraków: Take DK79 east toward Połaniec or DK73 through Stopnica (130 km, approx. 2 hours).

• On Foot: The historic center—spanning the Rynek, Saint Bartholomew's Church, and the municipal park—is small enough to explore on foot in 10 to 15 minutes.

• Local Buses: PKS Staszów and private minibuses connect the central bus station to surrounding villages including Kurozwęki, Rytwiany, Golejów, and Szydłów. Single fares cost 4–8 PLN ($1–$2 USD); pay the driver in cash when boarding.

• Taxis: Taxis wait at ranks by the Rynek and the bus station. Pickups can be booked through local dispatchers such as Radio Taxi Staszów. Expect an initial fare of 8–10 PLN ($2–$2.50 USD) and 4–6 PLN per kilometer. App-based services like Uber and Bolt do not operate in the town.

• Bicycle: Paved backroads and marked forest paths connect Staszów with Golejów (3 km) and Kurozwęki (6 km).

• Ratusz w Staszowie & Muzeum Ziemi Staszowskiej (Town Hall and Regional Museum): Located in the center of the Rynek, this classicist building was erected around 1738 by Prince August Aleksander Czartoryski. Originally serving as covered market stalls (kramnice), it features arcade arches and a clock tower. It houses the Museum of the Staszów Land, featuring archaeological collections, weapon and sabre exhibits, town archives, and a display documenting the pre-war Jewish community. Entry: 12 PLN regular, 8 PLN reduced ($3/$2 USD).

• Kościół św. Bartłomieja (Church of St. Bartholomew): Consecrated in 1345, this parish church is the oldest standing monument in Staszów. Its primary architectural feature is the early 17th-century Tęczyński Chapel (Kaplica Matki Bożej Różańcowej), built between 1613 and 1618 in late Renaissance-Mannerist style, with elaborate stucco work attributed to Giovanni Battista Falconi. Entry is free outside religious services.

• Pałac w Kurozwękach (Kurozwęki Palace): Located 6 km north of Staszów, this estate began as a 14th-century fortress and was later converted into a Baroque-Classicist palace by the Lanckoroński and Popiel families. Guided tours explore furnished salons, the family portrait gallery, and medieval basements. Palace interior tour: 25 PLN ($6.50 USD); estate grounds entry: 10 PLN ($2.50 USD).

• Pustelnia Złotego Lasu w Rytwianach (Hermitage of the Golden Forest): Located 5 km south of Staszów in Rytwiany, this 17th-century former Camaldolese monastery sits within a dense oak forest. Visitors can tour the Church of the Annunciation, monastic courtyards, an apothecary exhibit, and a museum detailing the life of the hermit monks. Museum entry: 15 PLN ($3.75 USD).

• Cmentarz Żydowski w Staszowie (Jewish Cemetery): Located on ul. Kościuszki, this cemetery dates from the beginning of the 19th century. Restored after wartime destruction, it preserves surviving carved matzevot and a memorial honoring the thousands of Jewish citizens deported or killed during the 1942 liquidation of the Staszów ghetto. Free access.

• Sanktuarium św. Jana Pawła II (Kościół św. Ducha): Situated on ul. Jana Pawła II, this modern church complex was constructed between 1995 and 2003, featuring large stained-glass windows, a freestanding bell tower, and a commemorative plaza. Free access.

• Swim and Paddle at Golejów Lakes: Located 3 km south of the town center, the Golejów recreation area features several woodland ponds ringed by pines. Duży Staw has a monitored summer swimming beach, wooden jetties, and rentals for kayaks and pedal boats (20–30 PLN / $5–$7.50 USD per hour).

• Take a Bison Safari at Kurozwęki: Ride an open safari wagon into the pastures of Kurozwęki Palace to observe a herd of American bison up close. From July to October, the estate also opens a large themed corn labyrinth. Bison safari: 20 PLN ($5 USD); corn labyrinth: 15 PLN ($3.75 USD).

• Sail and Fish at Zalew Chańcza: Situated 16 km northwest of Staszów, this 340-hectare reservoir on the Czarna River provides facilities for windsurfing, motorboating, and shore fishing for pike and carp (PZW angling permit required).

• Cycle the Czarna River Valley: Follow marked local cycling paths linking Staszów to Kurozwęki and Rytwiany across pine woods and river meadows.

• Attend Local Summer Events: Visit in late spring for the Staszów Days festival with outdoor concerts and craft stalls, or head to nearby Szydłów in August for the annual Plum Festival (Święto Śliwki).

• Restauracja Kolejowa 18 (ul. Kolejowa 18): Popular central restaurant serving traditional Polish cuisine including żurek (sour rye soup), handmade pierogi, breaded pork cutlets (kotlet schabowy), and roast meats. Mains: 25–45 PLN ($6.50–$11.50 USD). Price tier: Mid-range.
• Restauracja Gwarek (Rynek 13): Located directly on the market square, offering Polish lunch specials, grilled meats, potato pancakes (placki ziemniaczane), and regional draft beers. Mains: 20–40 PLN ($5–$10 USD). Price tier: Budget/Mid-range.
• Restauracja Rycerska w Kurozwękach (ul. Zamkowa 3, Kurozwęki): Located inside the Kurozwęki Palace complex, specializing in farm-raised American bison dishes such as bison steaks, bison goulash, and bison burgers, alongside Polish manor-house dishes. Mains: 40–85 PLN ($10–$21.50 USD). Price tier: Mid-range/Upscale.
• Strefa Dobrego Smaku (ul. Krakowska 47E): Casual eatery preparing stone-baked pizzas, burgers, pasta dishes, and daily budget lunch sets. Mains: 22–38 PLN ($5.50–$9.50 USD). Price tier: Budget.
• Restauracja Pustelnia Złotego Lasu (ul. Klasztorna 25, Rytwiany): Situated in the monastery grounds in Rytwiany, preparing freshwater trout, venison, wild mushroom soups, and herbal teas based on monastic recipes. Mains: 35–65 PLN ($9–$16.50 USD). Price tier: Mid-range.

• Budget:
  • Ośrodek Wypoczynkowy Golejów (Golejów): Simple seasonal cabins and lakeside rooms set among the pine woods near Duży Staw. Nightly rates: 90–150 PLN ($23–$38 USD).
  • Pokoje Gościnne U Stępnia (ul. Krakowska 61): Roadside traveler rooms with private bathrooms, on-site parking, and a ground-floor bar. Nightly rates: 110–160 PLN ($28–$40 USD).
• Mid-range:
  • Hotel Rytwiany (ul. Artura Radziwiłła 19, Rytwiany): A 3-star hotel set in a 19th-century palace park with a restaurant, indoor pool, and wellness amenities. Nightly rates: 260–360 PLN ($65–$90 USD).
  • Pałac Kurozwęki — Pokoje w Oficynie i Oranżerii (ul. Zamkowa 3, Kurozwęki): Guest rooms located in the outbuildings and orangery of the palace grounds, with breakfast included. Nightly rates: 220–340 PLN ($55–$85 USD).
• Upscale:
  • Apartamenty Pałacowe w Kurozwękach (ul. Zamkowa 3, Kurozwęki): Period suites situated in the main palace building, furnished with antique decor and offering park views. Nightly rates: 450–650 PLN ($115–$165 USD).
  • Pustelnia Złotego Lasu — Relaksatorium (ul. Klasztorna 25, Rytwiany): Boutique rooms in the quiet monastery complex offering forest wellness and relaxation programs. Nightly rates: 380–520 PLN ($95–$130 USD).

• Szydłów (13 km west): Known as the "Polish Carcassonne", this fortified medieval town features 14th-century stone defensive walls, the Gothic Kraków Gate, a royal castle museum, and a 16th-century synagogue.
• Kurozwęki & Rytwiany (5–6 km north/south): Visit the Popiel Palace and American bison herd in Kurozwęki, or the 17th-century Camaldolese Hermitage in Rytwiany for quiet forest grounds and monastic history.
• Zalew Chańcza (16 km northwest): A 340-hectare reservoir on the Czarna River with swimming beaches, windsurfing rentals, and lakeside campgrounds.
• Sandomierz (45 km east): A historic royal city overlooking the Vistula River, featuring an underground tourist route, Gothic cathedral, royal castle, and a Renaissance town hall.
• Busko-Zdrój (38 km southwest): A traditional Polish thermal spa town known for its mineral spring waters, extensive spa park, and modern graduation towers (tężnia).
• Kielce (54 km northwest): The capital of Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, featuring the Palace of the Kraków Bishops, the Kadzielnia geological reserve and amphitheater, and trailheads into the Świętokrzyski National Park.