Many people opt for popular fall destinations like the mountains or the seaside. However, it’s worth giving more original places a chance. Paczków (Opole Voivodeship) and the Land of Open Shutters in Podlasie are definitely worth a visit. Why are these places ideal for a weekend getaway? Let’s find out.
Paczków is the Perfect Place for a Trip. It Has Lots of Historical Monuments
Paczków is a small town located in the Opole Voivodeship, along the Nysa Kłodzka River. Though modest, it is certainly worth visiting, especially for its numerous historical monuments. These include the Gothic Church of St. John the Evangelist from the 14th century, the Chapel of St. Nicholas from the 19th century, and a town hall with a Renaissance tower from 1550. You’ll also find defensive walls with 19 towers and three gate towers, a Jewish cemetery, a manor, and the Executioner’s House from the 18th century, which now houses the Tourist Information Center.
Another interesting site is the Gas Industry Museum, the only one in Poland that has preserved equipment for producing town gas. In 2012, Paczków’s old town and its medieval fortification system were added to the list of Historic Monuments.
A Fall Weekend Trip? The Land of Open Shutters in Podlasie Awaits
Another unexpected place for an autumn getaway is the Land of Open Shutters in Podlasie, consisting of three villages: Trześcianka, Soce, and Puchły. What makes them so special? As noted by Magda and Mateusz, authors of the travel blog *Plan Na Wypad*, the distinctive feature of this wooden route is the shutters. They are decorated in various ways, with carved corners and vibrant colors. But that’s not all.
You can't forget the sacred buildings—Catholic churches and Orthodox churches, which can often stand side by side along the Land of Open Shutters route, much like the roadside chapels with crosses. Moreover, the colors signify who the given church is dedicated to: blue for the Virgin Mary or Archangel Michael, green for the Holy Spirit, yellow for Jesus Christ or the apostles, and brown for martyrs. It’s especially worth visiting the green Church of St. Michael the Archangel, which is over 150 years old.
