Page 176 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow

174  KR AK OW AREA B Y AREA

A Walk in Las Wolski

Las Wolski (the Wolski Wood) is the largest green area
in Krakow. It has partly retained its original character as
a forest, while the remaining ground is maintained as a
park. Paths and lanes wind up and down this hilly terrain,
leading to many spots of outstanding beauty, both natural
and man-made. The lovely architecture of the Camaldolese
Monastery and Decius Villa, both on the outskirts of the
park, are worth exploring. The walk route described
below includes sights in the Wolski Wood and the
surrounding neighbourhood.

Climb up the Silver Mount
to visit the Camaldolese
Monastery 1. The monastery of
this strict Reformed Benedictine
order was built between 1605
and 1642 by two outstanding The park by the Decius Villa
architects, Valentin of Säbisch
and Andrea Spezza, among Women are allowed into the
others. The stone-clad façade church on a few festive
of the church is particularly days only.
impressive. The austerity of the
interior is in striking contrast
with the lavishness of the
decoration of the chapels,
which feature stuccowork by 4
Giovanni Falconi. The so-called
Royal Chapel, dating from 1633 AL. DO KOPCA
1 Entrance to the Camaldolese Monastery to 1636, is very beautiful. The
stairs on either side of the high
Srebrna Góra (Silver Mount) altar lead down to the crypt
The walk begins at the bus stop which houses a catacomb. This
at the intersection of Aleja subterranean gallery has
Wędrowników (Wędrowników recesses excavated in the sides AL. DO KOPCA
Avenue) and Księcia Józefa for tombs of the deceased
Street. Walk some 500 m (0.3 monks. Next to the catacomb
mile) down Aleja Wędrowników is the ossuarium, a common
then turn right into Aleja grave containing bones AL. PUSTELNIKA
K
KA
Konarowa (Konarowa Avenue). removed from the
recesses in the AL. WĘDROWNIKÓW AL. ŻUBROWA
catacomb. The
hermitages are
closed to visitors
but can be seen
from the 2
ossuary RĘDZINA
chapel.
AL. KONAROWA 1 0 metres 400 400
0 yards
AL. WĘDROW NIKÓW

K S I ĘC I A JÓZ
DA LE K A EFA KRUCZA Key
Walk route
2 The Wolski Wood, a favourite place
for walks