Żelazowa Wola is a village in Mazowieckie. It is a day-trip destination mostly known for being the birthplace of Frédéric Chopin.
Understand
[edit]Żelazowa Wola is a manor village in the fields of Mazowieckie, relatively close to Kampinos forest. This generally insignificant place is known mostly as the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin, who was born here in 1810. His family moved soon after his birth to Warsaw, but they occasionally returned to the estate, owned by the Skarbek family, for holidays. The house is the only building on the estate to have survived to the present day.
The manor often changed owners, and was not well maintained. In 1894 the location was recognized, and a monument to Frédéric Chopin was erected in its park. During World War I, the right outbuilding was burnt after a lightning strike. In 1928, the manor was bought by various Chopin societies and after World War II, it was turned into a museum, which also hosts musical events.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]Żelazowa Wola is on the road 
which is easily reached by detour north from roads 
and 
(Wiskitki exit). There is a paid parking by the manor and park.
By public transport
[edit]You will have to reach Sochaczew by train first either by PKP Intercity or Koleje Mazowieckie, then you can use free bus line number 6 from train station to Żelazowa Wola. Bus only operates from May to September, you can check timetable here.
Get around
[edit]
Manor with park is the only sight in the area, and is easily manageable on foot. The entire village is not much larger than the park.
See
[edit]- 1 Chopin birthplace home, Żelazowa Wola 15, ☏ +48 46 863 33 00. Opening hours vary throughout the year; see website. There is a very small museum related to Chopin. Best to visit on weekends between May to September, when concerts are held every Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 and 15:00. 30 zł is the full price including the park, manor and temporary exhibitions.
Do
[edit]- 1 Chopin Recitals (Inside manor). May-Sep: Sa 12:00-12:30, 15:00-15:30. Recitals of Chopin by young musicians from Poland and around the world. You can check repertoire on the website.
- Take a stroll around the park. There are few monuments scattered and a pond near river.
Buy
[edit]There is a gift shop in the Chopin Museum visitors' centre.
Eat
[edit]- There is a café within the museum grounds.
- Restaurant Sonata, near Chopin's birthplace.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]There are no hotels in Żelazowa Wola, however you may have more luck in nearby Sochaczew or Warsaw. Some expensive apartments are available in nearby villages.