There are many reasons to visit this small town situated in the central part of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains as time seems to have stopped in here. The beautiful landscapes, beloved and praised by the famous Polish writer Stefan Żeromski, are most characteristic for this place, but it worth to remember that Bodzentyn is also abundant in many valuable works of art. It was founded in 1355, when bishop Florian Mokrska had decided to erect a castle and secure the town with defence walls. Even king Władysław Jagiełło (Ladislaus Jogaila) spent two days in here during his pilgrimage to the Holly Cross, taken before a war struggle. He was not the only one, as the place was generally often visited by various influential personas, like kings or bishops. When being in Bodzentyn, you must see a 15th century gothic church, which is now the Assumption of Virgin Mary and St. Stanislaus Collegiate.
In its decorative insides there are two remarkable elements - a Bodzentyn Triptych from the beginning of the 16th C., made by one of Wit Stwosz’s apprentices Marcin Czarny, which astonishes with the mastery of craftsmanship; and an altar painted in 1546 by order of king Zygmunt Stary (Sigismund I the Old), which initially had been designed as a main altar for the Cracow Cathedral. Another noteworthy site is the Czernikiewicz Farm from 1897, located by 3rd May Street, which has been included into the attractions of the Kielce Ethnographic Museum - while visiting it, the tourists can get acquainted with the lifestyle of small towns’ citizens in the past. You can also take a trip to the ruins of the earlier mentioned castle which today may seem neglected, yet, are planned to be restored in the near future, because Bodzentyn has already applied for the EU funds for this purpose.