Join us for a walk following characters from beloved animated films! In the center of Bielsko-Biała (southern Poland) you will meet Bolek and Lolek, Reksio, the cheerful crew from the bedtime cartoon "Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki" (The Abduction of Balthazar Sponge), and the fearless animal hunter Pampalini. As you follow this fairy-tale trail you will also find other interesting monuments, and we will tell you where to look!

Bolek and Lolek in Bielsko-Biała

If you arrive in Bielsko-Biała by train or bus, start your walk with Bolek and Lolek. You will find them in the square between the Sfera and Sfera II shopping malls, not far from the main station. Like true travelers, they have a globe and point to the location of Poland and the city of Bielsko-Biała:

Tip: Right next to Bolek and Lolek is the Bielsko Jazz Roundabout (Rondo Bielskiego Jazzu) with an unusual monument. How many musical instruments can you spot here?

The most famous frogs in Bielsko-Biała

To find the next cartoon characters, cross the small bridge over the Biała River (you are moving from the historic part called Bielsko to the part called Biała) and head toward the market square, today named Plac Wojska Polskiego. This place is known for a beautiful Art Nouveau townhouse that used to be a wine storehouse. You will see frog images on the wall by the church and also by the fountain in the center of the square:

The Wawel Dragon in Bielsko-Biała?

Characters from the popular animated series "Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki" (The Abduction of Balthazar Sponge) are in the southern part of the square. You will find the Wawel Dragon (a legendary dragon from Kraków), the chef Bartolini Bartłomiej (coat of arms: Green Parsley), and Don Pedro, a spy from Rainyland. And where is Professor Baltazar Gąbka? He has been kidnapped, and the heroes are just setting off to find him!

The Reksio monument in Bielsko-Biała

To meet the friendly dog Reksio, walk back from Plac Wojska Polskiego along the pedestrian promenade, 11 Listopada Street (a car-free zone; the name means 11 November, Poland’s Independence Day), toward the bank of the Biała River. Here you will find Reksio and also his creator, Lechosław Marszałek, a long-time director and screenwriter at the Animated Film Studio in Bielsko-Biała.

Town Hall Park and a sculpture... standing on its head!

Continue along the Biała River and pass through a small, quiet park behind the Town Hall. Notice the beautiful historic building and a playful art installation: a sculpture standing on its head!

Pampalini — the animal hunter

Cross the river again (this time from Biała back to Bielsko) and meet the last cartoon character: Pampalini, together with a friendly hippopotamus:

The salamander and the Bolek and Lolek playground

Want a short break and some playtime? In the nearby park you can relax at the Bolek and Lolek playground (there is also an outdoor gym for adults). See if you can spot a hidden statue of a fire salamander nearby!

OKO Fairy Tale and Animation Center in Bielsko-Biała

After walking the Fairy-tale Trail, it’s worth seeing where and how these favorite cartoons were made. We highly recommend a visit to the OKO Center. You’ll find a multimedia, interactive exhibition, a cinema, a café, and a gift shop. From the park with the Pampalini sculpture and the Bolek and Lolek playground it’s about a 15–20 minute walk (around 1 km).

OKO Fairy Tale and Animation Center in Bielsko-Biała

A multimedia exhibition about the history and present of animation is in the Interactive Fairy Tale and Animation Centre at the OKO Animated Film Studio in Bielsko-Biała. The modern building includes a museum, a small cinema, a café, and a souvenir shop. Why go, and what will you find there? ...

Tip: Near the OKO Center you will see a big, colorful mural with heroes from the newest animated films currently made at the Animated Film Studio in Bielsko-Biała: