Kłodzko

city and urban gmina of Poland

Kłodzko is a city of 27,000 in 2019 in Lower Silesia, in Poland. For its historical monuments it is sometimes referred to as "Little Prague". It was established as a settlement in the 10th century, and is one of the oldest towns in Poland, having been granted city rights in 1233. Culturally and traditionally a part of Bohemia, administratively it has been a part of Silesia since 1763.

Kłodzko as seen from the fortress

Understand

History

Settlements in Kłodzko area existed back in the days of Amber Road. From 9th to 11th century Kłodzko was contested between Czech, Polish and independent local rulers, finally becoming part of Bohemia in 1114. Since then town developed dynamically, being granted city rights in 12th century and successfully repelling Mongol invasion. City prospered until Hussite wars began in 15th century. Religious conflict, natural disasters and Habsburg rule brought a lot of upheaval in the region leaving it depopulated and improverished. During Thirty-Year War city swayed to Protestant side which resulted in destruction of castle after capture by catholic Austrians in 1622.

In 17th century realizing its strategic location, Austrians squashed local self-rule and turned city into a military garrison town with new fortress on the ruins of the castle. After just over 100 years in 1742 Prussians received Kłodzko (Glatz) in a peace treaty and continued to expand its defenses for another 100 years creating one of the largest fortresses in Europe. Despite these investments, fortress fell twice: in 1760 to the Austrians and in 1807 to the French. Due to this military focus city growth was stunted and it only restarted after 1877 when German authorities allowed civilian development. In late 19th century Kłodzko Land received a lot of interest from tourists with many spa towns catering to them.

Get in

By train

If travelling by train, the 🌍 Kłodzko Miasto Train Station is the most convenient train station in Kłodzko. It is close to the centre. The station building is on plac Jedności. There are direct connections to Kłodzko from a few cities in Lower Silesia:

  • From Wrocław the train brings you to Kłodzko in approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, with a ticket that costs about 20 zł.
  • From Wałbrzych in 1 hour 25 minutes for 13.50 zł.
  • From Ząbkowice Śląskie in a bit more than one hour for 10 zł.
  • From Bystrzyca Kłodzka in 15-20 minutes for 6.50 zł.

You can check the schedule on the website of PKP.

Get around

See

  • 🌍 Kłodzko Fortress (Twierdza Kłodzko), Grodzisko 1. Overlooking the city (entrance 18/14 zł, ordering a gun salute is possible for 50 zł) 
  • 🌍 Underground tunnels, entrance at ul. Zawiszy Czarnego, exit ul. Czeska. 600 m of tunnels open to public 6/8 zł. 
  • 🌍 Church of Assumption, pl. Kościelny 9. Gothic church 
  • 🌍 Gothic Bridge. Gothic bridge with Baroque statues over Młynówka river, comparable (though much smaller) to Charles Bridge in Prague. 
  • 🌍 Town Hall with Renaissance Tower (Main square). 
  • 🌍 Kłodzko Land Museum, ul. Łukasiewicza 4, ☏ +48 74 867 35 70. Closed M. 8/6 zł. 

Do

Młynówka Canal and the city walls
  • 🌍 Swim, ul. Jana Pawła II 4, ☏ +48 74 866 53 04. M-Sa 06:15—22:00, Su 07:00—21:00. Indoor swimming pool with water slide and sauna close to the centre. 9-12 zł for one hour depending on time of the day. The mornings are the cheapest. 

Buy

Eat

Drink

  • AK Pub, Ul. Armii Krajowej 2. 

Sleep

Gothic bridge

Go next

  • Nowa Ruda
  • Duszniki Zdrój
  • Radków
  • Kudowa-Zdrój
  • Międzylesie
  • Lądek-Zdrój
  • Międzygórze
Routes through Kłodzko
Kudowa-Zdrój ← Duszniki-Zdrój ←  W  NE  → Ząbkowice Śląskie → Wrocław
? ←  E  E  → Nysa → Opole
? ←  N  S  → Bystrzyca Kłodzka → Czech Republic


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