Lwówek Śląski

Agate is a semi-precious mineral made up of colourful, banded layers. It can be found in exotic locations such as Uruguay, Namibia, and Madagascar. However, it can also be found closer to home, in Lower Silesia. It is particularly abundant in the summer in Lwówek Śląski, where it even has its own festival – the Lwówek Agate Summer.

In mid-July, this Lower Silesian town is vibrant with all “mineral” colours, and stone enthusiasts can endlessly admire, touch, and gaze at the gems. The event is accompanied by numerous exhibitions and concerts, but its most important element is the mineral market, and for the youngest visitors – the Treasure Hunters' Parade.

However, Lwówek has much more to offer and will certainly impress not only agate enthusiasts. Hikers will also be eager to visit due to the Lwówek Switzerland. Located south of the town, this sandstone rock formation is part of the Bóbr Valley Landscape Park and closely resembles its German counterpart. A stroll through the labyrinth of rocks and steep cliffs is quite a challenge but also an unforgettable experience. It takes about 40 minutes to walk the entire route, which is dotted with numerous educational stations designed for young hikers.

For the older visitors, Lwówek has another attraction. It is the Brewing Museum. In the former brewery, nearly 400 exhibits related to beer production are on display. This interesting place is, of course, open for tours. Tourists are welcome on weekdays from 08:00 to 16:00. All it takes is to buy a ticket and be at least eighteen years old. An additional attraction may also be a tasting of the products. After that, agates will seem even more beautiful.

Author of the photos and text - Bogusława Bandyk