The village of Proboszczów, the commune of Pielgrzymka, and further on it is even more interesting. On the map you will find it in the Kaczawskie Foothills, where it lies peacefully at the foot of an extinct volcano called the Silesian Fujiyama. Proboszczów is a village as hot as a volcano and its history is the same. Millions of years ago Ostrzyca was a ticking bomb, the village was plundered by Camus' plague, and in the 17th century members of the Protestant faction - the Schwenckfeldists - settled here. Supposedly, they were brought here by the devil himself, who put all the Legnica infidels in a sack and flew with them to hell itself. However, he did not measure the height correctly and caught the rocky peak of the volcano, scattering the Schwenkfeldists right here.
We came here not because of the devil, but because of the deer and it was in 2014. When we first entered the 200-year-old weavers' house, it was abandoned and rain was pouring down all floors. However, this image of misery and despair made a huge impression on us and we thought only about it the whole way back. Suddenly, a huge deer ran across the road. Not only did it run, but it stopped on the side of the road and looked at us meaningfully. We read it as a sign. Later it was less romantic, because the renovation adventure lasted 5 years. Manually, without access to electricity, we recreated the destroyed half-timbered structure, we made walls from clay and lime ourselves, we washed 15,000 pieces of 19th-century roof tiles. Then we had to carry them to the roof and lay them. This is how my husband, a microbiologist, retrained as a roofer for a year. For several months he carried thousands of roof tiles up until we were enlightened that there was a roofing lift. At that time we regained faith that the renovation would eventually be over. And it ended this year, when the last furniture and trinkets found at the fair appeared in Chatka Zimorodka. Now we can invite to our house from 1818 those for whom wood sounds like a symphony, small windows do not interfere with rest, and the sound of a stream lulls you to sleep.
In a traditional weaver's cottage from 1818 built around the remains of a medieval house, parts of which have survived to this day. We probably have more than a little bit of madness in us, but we decided to improve the 19th century post-and-beam house in spirit and body. We restored it with the greatest care, learning a lot along the way. From the construction of the wooden, two-hundred-year-old house, through the restoration of monuments, cooperation with a conservator to the finishing of the interiors. 5 years of our lives were consumed by the renovation in accordance with historical documentation. We used traditional materials, mainly clay and wood, thanks to which the house breathes and lives, which is why you sleep very well in it.
We have prepared it for your arrival. The Kingfisher has 4 double rooms, each with a small bathroom with a shower. The house can accommodate a maximum of 8 people and 2 children. Some of the windows overlook the stream and at night you can hear its murmur. On the ground floor there is a common part of the house: the kitchen and the dining and living area in the log room.
On the first floor you will find 4 cozy rooms with bathrooms:
- The Lipa Apartment has one king-size bed, but without the dwarves and an additional single bed. Together we can accommodate 3 people here. The windows of the room overlook the garden and the road and a 300-year-old linden tree that grows a few meters away from the house. The apartment is 20 meters long.
- The Strumyk Apartment is a double room with a large single bed. The windows overlook the stream and the road. The apartment has an unusual architectural gem, namely a room called the "black kitchen".
- The Berg Room is a double room with a view of the garden and the extinct volcano: Ostrzyca. A double bed, small windows, as befits a post-and-beam house and furniture with soul.
- The Zimorodek Room has a view of the river and the garden. When you open the window, you can hear a quiet cascade of water. Decorated in a retro style. Access to bathroom with shower and small hallway.
The entire garden is at your disposal: 2900 m2. There is a covered shelter where you can sit in the evenings, a place for a bonfire, 2 large tables with benches, a house with a slide for children, a descent to the stream surrounding the house.
The house may look like an open-air museum exhibit, but it is fully functional and adapted to modern needs. A fully equipped kitchen is waiting, with a 6-ring cooker, fridge, dishwasher, kettle and coffee machine. You can eat either in the log room where the dining room is located or, when the weather allows, in the garden under the linden tree. The nearest stores are a stone's throw from the Chatka, so you don't have to carry supplies across half of Poland.
If you follow the "we don't cook, we don't wash" rule on vacation, we respect that. A dishwasher is equipped in the kitchen, and the surrounding restaurants will feed you locally, fish, Italian, vegan, lightly, but also full-fat. Picturesque car routes lead to the restaurants we recommend. It is worth stopping at a scenic stop on the way.
The cottage is located in the Land of Extinct Volcanoes, at the foot of Ostrzyca Proboszczowicka, at the foot of one of them. There are therefore endless possibilities to spend your time in a way different from your daily routine.
- A walk straight from the house to the extinct volcanic cone Ostrzyca Proboszczowicka. You can go there even at dusk to observe the stars from an unusual perspective and return to the accompaniment of the hoots of an owl.
- Visiting a vineyard in the neighboring village of Sokołowiec to taste local wine.
- Workshops are usually available on days off (holidays, holidays), organized by local enthusiasts. In this way, you can search for agates, make soaps, make clay cups, practice yoga, pan for gold, felt, engrave, etc. We will tell you the details on the spot.
- Horse riding and sleigh rides available from our neighbors, three houses away.
- For those who like beautiful views, we recommend observation towers in Gozdno and Okol, and for cyclists: single tracks located around Ostrzyca, Gozdno and Okol.
- On hot days and beyond, you can go kayaking or pontooning on the Bóbr River. An interesting object is the Lenno Castle in Wleń. By the way, you can go to the Lenno Palace located right next to it for coffee and cake.
- The tower with medieval frescoes of Sir Lancelot is located in Siedlęcin. For those who like history and castles, we recommend the Grodziec castle and the palace in Staniszów with a beautiful English garden. In Jawor, one of the churches of Peace awaits visitors.
- Bolesławiec is famous for its beautiful ceramics and it is also worth visiting. Nearby, we recommend a short trip to the Wielisław Organ.
And so on and on... We left maps and guides at home for further exploration.
What’s there for children?
Playing until you drop is what my children like the most, and yours will too. The closest attraction is a shallow river surrounding the house, where you can wade, throw sticks and observe nature in the style of Winnie the Pooh. For those who prefer something more exciting, we recommend the Sudecka Zagroda Edukacyjna in Dobków, where you can experience an earthquake and a volcanic eruption. In addition, it is worth analyzing the series of workshops mentioned above for children.
For toddlers, we recommend the ZOO in Goerlitz, where children can touch animals such as porcupines. Children also have fun on the playground in the Japanese Garden in Przesieka "Siruwia" and in the Fairy Tale Park in Karpacz. For older children - horse riding right next door in the Stables under Ostrzyca. All children love water. Here we have to offer in the area: Aquapark in Cieplice, a reservoir in Złotoryja with a climbing route above the water!, a swimming pool in Lwówek Śląski or at the campsite in Miłków (entrance fee is only PLN 10, and the water flows straight from the mountains, it is not chlorinated, so it is good even for babies).
What’s there for employees?
We offer a work space for a small group or family working remotely (parents and children).
Our table in the living room seats 8 people. Some guests like to work from there, because old wood, a crackling fireplace and views from behind the windows have a positive effect on creativity.
Additionally, we have:
- a desk in one of the bedrooms
- a comfortable table and armchair in the second bedroom
- a sofa and a low table in the third bedroom
- an armchair and a table in the fourth bedroom
- a table and 2 chairs in a climatic kitchen
- the internet reaches the garden, where there is also a large table for 8 people under the shelter.
So everyone can find a quiet corner for themselves. If necessary, we will borrow a projector and screen for a presentation 🙂
