Gochy is a small region in the western part of Kashuby, primarily in the Lipnica commune in Bytow county. Historically, these were lands that belonged to the Czluchow commune during the existence of the First Polish Republic. The residents are proud of their knightly and noble past, because old Kashuby gentry families originate from many villages.
The landscape here is dominated by a sandy outwash plain with pine forests and poor fields, diversified by many lakes.
Gochy, photo: P. Kowalewski
Gochy, photo: P. Kowalewski
Kashubians near Vienna
The noble traditions are perhaps best visible in Brzezno Szlacheckie. This village has retained its oval layout with a square market and a pond in the middle to this day. The three-hundred-year-old wooden church of St. Catherine stands there. According to tradition, local families collectively took part in King Jan III Sobieski’s expedition to Vienna. This is commemorated by an obelisk near the church. Every year in August or September, the anniversary of the relief of Vienna is celebrated here with an outdoor reenactment. A similar layout of the village and an even more beautiful wooden church can be found in nearby Borzyszkowy.
Gochy, photo: P. Kowalewski
Cycle trails
Gochy is probably best explored on two wheels. Cycle trails over 100 km long have been marked out here. They will lead us to other interesting places. South of Gwiazda Lake is the Memorial and Patriotism Guardhouse named after the Heroic Gochy. It is a monument commemorating the bizarre “Stake War” of 1920. In Hamer-Mlyn and Oszusnica, on charming rivers, we will find old mills. Apart from that, we will always find our own version of a trip to relax by the lake.
Good places for swimming in the lake
On the lakes near Lipnica, we will find many wild bathing areas. It is worth paying attention to those that already have some infrastructure with benches, shelters and even a place for a barbecue. These include a campsite at Kiedrowickie Lake, a swimming area in Lak, a parking lot on the western side of Gwiazdy Lake or rest areas at Lake Piaszno.
