Jo’s Monday walk : Bełchatów

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I may have misled some of you, but I’m staying in Central Poland for this week’s walk.  I expanded on a little of the family saga last week in Zawady, the village where Dad was born.  Today we’re taking a stroll around Bełchatów, the county town, some 7kms and a bus ride away.

B is for Bełchatów covers much of the town’s history, so we can simply concentrate on how the place looks today. (Bew-ha-toof is very roughly how it’s pronounced)  The Tourist Information office is small but friendly, and perfectly placed for our start, on Ul. T. Kościuszki.  Ignoring the map in my hand, I’m drawn to a passage beside the TI, with a glimpse of green space beyond.  I follow it and find myself in rather a nice park.

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I cross the bridge over the lake and notice a canal leading off through the park.  The imposing building in my opening shot proves to be Muzeum Regionalne, a late Baroque listed manor.  I wonder about its contents, but my curiosity about the water is greater.  I follow it, out beyond the park. On the map it’s shown as Rakówka, and Olszewski Park.

I wander a little way to see where it leads but, when it seems I’m getting too far from the centre, I double back through the houses.  A street corner church thankfully looks familiar, and I’m back at the junction of 9 Maja and Kościuszki.

I look at the signs on shops for clues as to what I might buy there, hoping to purchase a few small gifts for the family.  My niece Ania and husband Hubert are shopping at the new shopping gallery and Tesco’s, but this has little appeal for me.  I prefer the more traditional shops, but they can be a little mystifying.  I’ve come full circle now and am back at the museum.

Opposite the TI stands Kościół Narodzenia, the church where Ania and Hubert were married.  I remember it as being very beautiful inside.

Beside the church, a new addition, Park Narutowicza, provides entertainment with it’s ever changing fountains.  And a little street art, too.

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From being a beautiful balmy day, the sky has begun to darken, exactly as the forecast had indicated.  I look for shelter, just in case, and am drawn to a sign, ‘Giganty Mocy’.  Not at all sure what I’ll find, in I go.  The gallery space is a revelation.

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The rain is spotting when I come out again.  A nearby florist provides the first of my presents, and I pause to read the synagogue sign. I backtrack a little way to a small indoor shopping centre, where chocolates and brandy are easily purchased.

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The sky gets blacker and the rain starts to bounce.  People scurry for cover.  Nothing for it but to seek shelter until Ania and Hubert have finished their shopping expedition.  ‘Degustacja’ meets my requirements perfectly.  There’s cake, of course!

Bełchatów has become a big town, with numerous housing estates, largely due to the proximity of the power station.  My walk today centres on the older part of town, and nearby there’s also a huge outdoor market.  I think it’s fairly typical of many Polish towns.

This website will give you a few facts about the area, including my recently featured Zbiornik Wawrzkowniza.  I have one more small town to show you before heading south to Kraków.  I hope you’ve enjoyed the series and can come along with me.  Meantime, coffee, I think.  Don’t you?

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Many thanks to all my contributors this week, and to my readers too.  As always, there are some great walks featured below.  If you’d like to join me, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  Just click on the logo.

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I remember Peebles covered in snow and freezing! Lovely to see it through Smidge’s eyes :

The Tweed Valley and Neidpath Castle, Peebles

Jackie goes into a little history of an art form :

Tattooed

Roll up!  Roll up!  Get your tickets here!

T is for Theatreland#atozchallenge

Becky reminds me just how beautiful the Algarve can be in Springtime :

A quick stroll near Olhao da Restauracao

While Jude is having such a fine time in Cornwall!  Almost makes you want to move :

Walking around Trencrom

I am in awe of this lady!  Tish, doing ‘qi gong’, surrounded by dappled lushness.  Wouldn’t you want to be there?

The power of green and dappled sunlight this morning on the Linden Walk

From nature to architecture, with Jaspa :

The remarkable houses of Bello and Reborati, Montevideo, Uruguay

Do be careful Drake’s green-eyed monster doesn’t get you!

Airborne walk

And please help Esther up the hill, should you see her struggling :

Misty Morning Walk

Pauline gives us lots of reasons to visit Brisbane, and even goes interactive!

Final few hours in Brisbane

I knew about Dumbo in NYC, but I had no idea about this wonderful walk :

Brooklyn Bridge Park

I’m rounding off with a blog that’s new to me, but a place I’ve long wanted to visit.  Great photos, too :

Wye Valley: Symonds Yat Circular

That’s it for another week.  The weather here has turned dreary, but that’s Bank Holidays for you.  I have much catching up to do.  See you soon, and happy walking!

125 comments

      1. I’ve been labouring in the garden – potting on seedlings, and then labouring in the allotment planting out beans. It’s good to do something peaceful like go walking with you!

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  5. I was struck by just how spotlessly clean everything looks. Nice little ”walkies” , but like Andrew, the name Tesco came as a bit of a jolt!
    When I was a teen I worked part time at a Tesco Home ‘n Wear in Chester.
    🙂

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    1. A lot of it is modern apartment blocks, like those in my first park shot. Several family members live in flats. The old side is more interesting and I love the market. Yes- very familiar territory now.

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  9. Captivating images!
    Through your latest posts I started to know and love Poland.
    Looks like a very friendly country where nature is still part of the towns.
    Thanks for these much interesting pics!

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  10. Really enjoyed today’s walk, Jo – as I’ve never been to Poland, I really enjoy learning more about it! And thank you for linking to my Brooklyn Bridge Park post. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. That would be a bitter blow, Andrew! 😦 The new Domki Gallery is the pride and joy, but I struggle to understand it, especially as Tesco prices are exorbitant! I looked at a frock for one of the little girls. Almost dropped it with shock!

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  17. This city looks very nice and friendly, there is a wish to walk further and explore all the paths! Wish you a lovely week in Poland! Looking forward to seeing Krakow!

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  20. It all looks very clean and unreal! And despite your helpful pronunciation guide, I still kept reading it as Bell Cha Toe. Looks nice though. Love the overcast grey photos and the museum is so elegant.

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    1. You know I like clean and unreal! 🙂 🙂 Can’t be doing with clutter (except my own, of course). Must go inside that museum… one day. Happy Bank Hol, Kate! I presume it is one in Gib?

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      1. I don’t like my clutter. So I have no idea why I have loads 😦 Thank you, yes it is. We follow Brit bank hols and have a few others too 🙂 Hope you have a nice day too. No plans here, just enjoy the quietness. It’s a bit like a Sunday, most shops are closed, no cross border workers so the population is just those who live here. Nice.

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