May weekend at the Blue Springs

The May weekend is a great time to show children teeming with life nature. It is not a time of timidly growing snowdrops, but of spring in full bloom. Where can you see its exceptional beauty? For example, in the Blue Springs reserve.

Depending on the place we choose for the first weekend of May, we can bring home memories of an active holiday or a peaceful exploration of nature with the whole family. If we choose the latter, we can go to the Blue Springs reserve. It covers an area of almost 29 ha, and tourists visit it to see karst springs with an original blue shade, about 400 species of plants, 75 species of birds and numerous mammals (including muskrat).

Hearts of the spikes

The Blue Springs reserve is located in the Pilica River valley, at the south-eastern border of Tomaszów. It is situated in the Sulejowski Landscape Park . From Łódź, it can be reached by the national road number 713, then - in the city - follow the signs and go right. Behind the bridge over the Pilica river, on the left, there is a parking lot. Admission to the reserve is free.

The Blue Springs are springs separated by an island, from which a dozen or so geysers gush out. They pulsate like the beating hearts of a great organism. Depending on the angle of the sun's rays, the time of day and the aura, the sand that emerges from them appears more or less intensely blue when seen through the surface of the water. The temperature in the springs is constant throughout the year, oscillating around 9 ° C. They can be reached through a wide avenue lined with two rows of trees.

The reserve is a beautiful, magical place where the water never freezes. An alder forest grows here, in which many species of birds live. It is not crowded, it is quiet, so you can observe swans and mallard ducks, the symbol of the reserve . Teal, kingfishers, goldeneyes and ohars also live here. A careful observer will spot finches, orioles and yellowbirds, and a lucky one - a shed, a talented nest builder.

Open-air museum of the Pilica River

On the occasion of a trip to the reserve, it is worth visiting the museum dedicated to Pilica, especially since it is located next to the parking lot. The open-air museum of the Pilica River has, among others, "Lufcik", an armored artillery tractor. It is the only vehicle of its type in the world that has survived. Along with other exhibits of the military department, it was excavated from the bottom of the river. We will also see a 100-year-old working barge, old water mills and an anti-landing anchor mine.

There is a playground for children next to the open-air museum, and in the summer, the little ones can ride a pony. From April 1 to October 31, the facility is open every day except Monday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. However, from November 1 to March 31, it is waiting for guests from Tuesday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. A regular ticket costs PLN 3, and a discount ticket costs PLN 2. Children under 4 can visit the open-air museum for free.

Where to stay

Near the Blue Springs Reserve there is the Przystań Recreation Center , which has places at the campsite by the Pilica river. It is located behind the dam in Smardzewice, and its location is an ideal point for rafting towards the Vistula. Tourists have at their disposal a club room, as well as two focal circles - including one with a roofed shelter.

The resort has a sports and water equipment rental, and the facility itself specializes in organizing recreation for children and teenagers. Guests can take part in multi-day canoeing trips (individual and for companies), as well as play paintball.

People relaxing by the reserve can take advantage of the opportunity to get to know Inowłódz and Spała, nearby towns. Zalew Sulejowski is also nearby. Boredom does not threaten anyone who loves nature.