The green area in Lublin is a town park – the Saxon Garden. It is on the Racławickie Avenue. This place gives the rest among the concrete city centre. It has a long history and this is the only one so various place like that. It is worth walking around the avenues full of history.
The idea of building the town park for a wealthy social group of Lublin had its begin in 19th century. Initially, that park was supposed to be built near the Czechówka Valley but as a result of faraway location it was decided to be built in the city centre.
In the past, the park was surrounded by stunning walls and gates that were closed during nights. According to some legends, coming in to the park was paid. Regularly, at 9 p.m. walking janitors rang the bells calling people to leave the park. The element of the old architecture of bygones walls can be seen in the main entrance to the Saxon Garden, on the right – nowadays this is the Saxon House. The Saxon House used to be the house of the park janitors. Currently, in this place there is a small bakery shop.
The oldest part of the park, that needs to be noticed is the wayside shrine of the Godly Ordeal. It is the memento of plague in the 18th century that took place in Lublin. The wayside shrine is located on the small hill on the side of Racławickie avenue in front of the KUL. The archeological diggings proved that this is highly likely that this place used to be the cholera cemetery. What is more, this wayside shrine is said to has its original name because of a cross and a gibbet standing over there many years ago. Another legend says that this is the place of burial the victims of upraising in 19th century. The other interesting legend is the story coming from Sandomierz. It is believed that the basements and underground halls in Sandomierz provide to the halls under the Saxon Garden in Lublin. However, legends are only the stories so let’s concentrate on the nowadays Saxon Garden.
Going along the park gates and walls on the Racławickie avenue, we can see many interesting posters, photos, galleries. Such pieces of art can be seen really often. Some of them are delightful, some of them are funny, some other are thought-provoking.
The Saxon Garden is divided on a few sectors. We can go by the alleys for walkers, play on a playground with children or to lock padlock with your beloved person on the park bridge. We can find there also the cage with beautiful birds, the sundial, a gazebo and a band shell. In the band shell we can listen to concerts, watch some performances and cultural activities.
To end our next walk, we remind that in the park we can see also the stone with the date of the opening our park.
Summing up, a standard town park can hide many mysteries, tidbits and places to spend a good time. Maybe it is worth listening to the echo of the Saxon Garden legends…
The next walk will be continued…
