Chelm

A fortress was built there in 1237 and Chelm temporarily became the seat of the Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia. In 1392 Chelm obtained city rights. Thanks to its location it became an important economic and culture center in the entire area. In 1815 the city was annexed to Russia . It was returned to Poland only in 1918..

About the City

Chelm is a significant traffic junction and the industry center in the region. In the past it was the capital city of Chelm Voivodeship. Today it is part of the Lublin Voivodeship. Chelm offers visitors various historic sights. The city is also famous for its underground labyrinth. The first Ukrainian president, Mychajlo Hruševskyj, was born in Chelm.

Touristic Attractions

Many historic, particularly sacral, sights have been preserved in the city. Among the most significant belong the Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Cathedral on the Chelm mountain. Other interesting sights are the medieval fortress Wysoka Górka and the Luczkowskiego square, which are bordered by beautiful historic houses. The John Paul II statue is very famous, too. In the city there is a vast underground network of corridors, which house geological, archeological and historical expositions. The current guided tour takes you 20 m underground and is more than 2 km long. To the north-east of Chelm is situated the Chelm nature reserve.

Services for Tourists

Chelm also offers enough accommodation options. Hotel Trzy Dęby is a popular choice. Restaurants Pod Paragrafem, Lotos, Kamena and the pizzeria Kozak offer good meals.

Transport

Chelm is best accessible by car or by train. The city is situated by the main railroad track Lublin – Kovel , which is part of the arterial railway connecting Warsaw and Kiev . If you travel by car, take road no. 12 (E373) . The closest ariport is in Warsaw or in Rzeszów .