Drzewica: Water and Local History in Poland

Waterfront Path, Swimming Area, and Leisure at the Reservoir

In 2010, a 508-meter-long, illuminated, and marked walking and cycling path was created on the north shore of Zalew Drzewicki. The route offers a clearly defined way to explore the shore on foot or by bike. Beside the path is a floating, T-shaped pier made up of two sections and an access walkway. It is 15.4 meters long.

At 2 Zdrojowa Street, there is a free, supervised swimming area with a beach and a beach volleyball court. Confirm that supervision and operations are current before your visit. There is also a playground on the walking and cycling path along the north shore; the City of Drzewica describes it as the best-equipped playground of its kind.

The reservoir is used for recreation and leisure. The Drzewica Sports and Leisure Center at the reservoir is a local water sports hub and operates from May to September. Since these operating dates are important for planning, it is advisable to check them again before your trip. You can then plan your visit to the water around whether you want to focus on the waterfront path, the swimming area, or the seasonal water sports center.

Water Sports with a Rich History

Slalom canoeing in Drzewica began in 1978 with the establishment of a canoeing division. A new kayak course was officially opened in 2005 and was then among the most modern slalom facilities in Europe.

The reservoir itself also has an industrial origin: it was built to supply a blast furnace, construction of which Filip Szaniawski began in 1760. To provide this water supply, water was dammed at a suitable location to form a large pond covering 8.6 hectares. This historical area figure refers to the pond at the time, not to the present-day reservoir. The history of the body of water thus leads from its practical role in supplying water to its present-day use for recreation and leisure.

St. Luke’s Church and Plac Wolności

St. Luke’s Church in Drzewica was founded by the Drzewicki family in 1315. In 1321, Wojciech Drzewicki made it a parish church. A statue of St. John of Nepomuk stands in the square in front of the church; it was donated by Ludwika Szaniawska in 1788. The church and statue provide specific names and dates for the town’s history, making them useful focal points for a walk centered on cultural history.

In the historic center, a park laid out in the 1950s with lime and acacia trees now occupies most of Plac Wolności. A cycling route runs along Kilińskiego Street to the square, where there is a large information board. The park and the board serve as different points of reference: one shapes the appearance of the square, while the other offers guidance along the route described.

Explore Quest Routes Independently

You can complete the Quest routes in Drzewica using the free-to-download “Questy - Wyprawy Odkrywców” app or Quest maps. The maps are available at the Regional Cultural Center and Drzewica City Hall. Check their availability before your visit if you plan to follow the routes with a map rather than the app. This gives you two different ways to tackle the Quest activities without assuming that both require the same preparation.

Discover more destinations: Opoczno, Małoszyce, Celestynów.

Go to the main travel overview: Opoczno.