Cistercian Trail

Monks from French, Italian and German Cistercian monasteries were arriving in Poland in the late 12th century. The rulers of Polish principalities – the country was then fragmented into five duchies – gave them landed properties to found abbeys. Their presence in Poland had not only religious but also economic aspect. Thedents of order greatly promoted material culture as well. Cistercian abbeys spread knowledge of agriculture and transferred progress from highly civilised countries.

Several Cistercian abbeys were founded in Poland during the late 12th century – the majority of them were built in Malopolska or Little Poland, Lower Silesia and Wielkopolska. They all existed until the liquidation of the order in the early 19th century. Many monasteries survived until today, but very few in their original shape. The best way to see them is to follow the tourist Cistercian trail.