Founded in the early 13th century as part of Gdansk Pomerania, Chojnice is a historic town near Poland’s Tuchola Forest. It was ruled by the Teutonic Knights during the 14th century before they surrendered to the Polish army at the end of the Thirteen Years’ War. Chojnice was heavily damaged during World War II and has been reconstructed since, with a colourful square at its heart.
Things to do in Chojnice
Occupying a series of 14th-century towers along the town’s defensive walls is the Museum of History and Ethnography. Its exhibits explore the cultural heritage of southern Pomerania, with everyday artefacts, artwork and a specialist book collection on display. Learn about the hunting traditions in Tuchola Forest and the inland navigation of Charzykowskie Lake.
Chojnice is home to beautiful old churches, including the Gothic-style Basilica of St. John the Baptist’s Beheading from the 14th century. Also of note is the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Baroque house of worship built by the Jesuits in the 18th century. Inside you can admire its Rococo pulpit and polychrome work by Franciszek Ksawery Haefflich.
Sprawling south of Chojnice’s town centre is Park Tysiąclecia, which is home to three reservoirs linked by a network of leafy walking trails. In addition to two children’s playgrounds, there’s a boules court, exercise equipment and chess stands, plus a skate park. Keep an eye out for the sculpture of Piotr Dunin, who led the Poles to victory in the 15th-century Battle of Swiecino.
Getting around Chojnice
Chojnice is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Bydgoszcz and Bydgoszcz Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from several Polish cities to the Chojnice railway station while buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Chojnice can easily be explored on foot.