Trzebnica
With around 13,000 inhabitants, Trzebnica is a charming small town best known for its historic Cistercian convent. It is the burial place of Duchess Hedwig of Andechs-Meranien, the patron saint of Silesia. Saint Hedwig, wife of Duke Henry I, gave birth to seven children before taking a vow of chastity and devoting her life to religious service. She supported the sick, cared for the poor and visited prisoners. At her initiative, the first Cistercian convent for women in Silesia was founded in Trzebnica. She spent her final years there, died on 14 October 1243 and was buried in the convent. She was canonised in 1267. The former convent, now administered by the Borromean Sisters, acquired its present Baroque appearance during the eighteenth century. Saint Hedwig's tomb attracts thousands of pilgrims and remains an important spiritual centre.
Lubiąż
The imposing Cistercian monastery at Lubiąż has a magnificent Baroque façade extending for 223 metres and interiors decorated with works by the famous painter Michael Willmann. The complex is often called the "Silesian Escorial". Its ceremonial hall is considered one of the finest in Silesia. Although many of its more than 300 rooms remain empty and await restoration, the majestic building on the banks of the Oder leaves a lasting impression.
Legnica
As Lower Silesia's third-largest city, Legnica preserves numerous important sights from the period when it was the centre of an independent duchy. These include the Piast Castle, the former Knights' Academy, the cathedral and St John's Church with the mausoleum of the Dukes of Legnica. Another fascinating area is the "Kwadrat" district, which remained closed to the public until 1993 and once housed the largest Soviet Army garrison in Poland.
