Jelenia Gora, main squere.
This town, a production and trading centre for cotton and linen, was founded by the Polish king Boleslaw Krzywousty. The regional museum has an extensive collection of glassware and an exhibition on the history of the region. The museum of natural history in suburban Cieplice (part of Jelenia Gora) has a valuable collection of mounted birds and butterflies. Cieplice is a health resort, famous for its hot springs since the 17th century. Sights in Cieplice include the palace of the Schaffgotsch family and the Baroque Church of St. John the Baptist. The streets come alive twice a year, with the festivals "September in Jelenia Gora" and "Street Theatre Festival". Jelenia Gora also boasts architectural monuments, such as the ancient city walls, the large town square with its old town hall, and the Church of St. Erasmus. In Sobieszow, near Jelenia Gora, is the museum of Karkonosze National Park. You can also walk to Chojnik Castle from Sobieszow, where once a year in June the knights' tourneys take place.
