Sights of Lublin (Poland): historical places, excursions

On the Bystrica River, in eastern Poland, is the Lublin Voivodeship, the administrative center of which is the city of Lublin. The first settlement here settled back in the 600's, although the documentary mention dates back only to the end of the 12th century. The city was rich, developed rapidly and had important commercial importance. It's no wonder that for him many people were ready to fight for him, not for life, but for death, beginning with Lithuanians and Prussians and ending with Mongols and Galician princes. But Lublin (Poland) was not going to "bend" under the enemy troops.

Historically, the city is notable for the fact that it was here in 1569 that the Lublin Union was signed - this is the main event, during which the largest European state, Rzeczpospolita, arose . It united Lithuania and Poland.

Attractions of Lublin attract, probably, all tourists who had the good fortune to visit Poland. It is a beautiful and well-kept town, it's nice to walk through its streets at any time of the day. But in order not to waste time, it is necessary to combine pleasure with benefit, visiting important historical and interesting tourist places.

Kraków Gate

It is a symbol of the city both historical and architectural. The gates are located in the western part of the Old Town. During the Middle Ages, they played the role of the main entrance to the city, which was open exclusively to the nobility. The name Krakowski Gate was obtained due to the fact that they shared the trade road between Vilnius and Krakow. And they erected them in order to strengthen Lublin after the savage attack of the Tatars in 1341.

The gates themselves are only a link in the fortress structure. The lower part (gothic) is built of bricks and limestone, and the upper (Renaissance) is a two-storey brick superstructure with an oblique pattern. There is a third part, made in the Baroque style. It is a tower topped by a copper dome. The construction of the gate continued for almost three centuries (1300-1500s). Since 1965 the museum has been working inside.

Monastery of the Dominicans

The Dominican Kostelno-Monastery complex is also one of the main objects of Lublin. This is the most valuable temple erected on the territory where in the first half of the 14th century the Holy Cross prayer house was located. The complex consists of the monastery and the Basilica of St. Stanislaus.

The temple survived the reconstruction at the end of the Middle Ages, as it was badly damaged by the fire. Architecture in the course of perestroika acquired a look in the Renaissance style. Then gradually completed the eleven chapels. The most striking is the chapel of the Holy Cross, which depicts the Last Judgment.

Lublin Castle

At this point in the XII century the first defensive structure was built. The Lublin Fortress was a defensive wall surrounding the castle, to which a brick tower was subsequently built. However, the architecture was not very attractive then.

In 1520 the castle was rebuilt. The Renaissance style was chosen. Perestroika and decorative components were handled by Italian masters. And they managed to create a true architectural masterpiece. By the way, it was in this castle that the signing of the Lublin Union took place.

Gradually, the territory was expanded, completing various objects, such as cellars and a corner tower. Now there is a museum here, so visitors can admire the neo-Gothic building of the former prison, the gothic tower-donjon and the ruins of the Jewish tower.

City gates

Many of Lublin's attractions are in the Old Town. The city gates are located to the north-east of this district and are also called Jewish. At first it was part of the defensive wall, exactly until 1785. Then there was a reconstruction, which again dealt with the Italian master Dominico Merlini. Currently, here is the "Theater NN" - an organization that protects the cultural heritage of the region.

Manor of Vincentius Fields

Vincenty Paul is a Polish poet, writer, geographer and ethnographer. His estate was built in 1972. The building is made in the style of classicism. Now there is a museum in which manuscripts of the owner of the estate, his books, biographical researches, furniture of the XIX century, various postcards and documents of the family of the Fields are kept.

Town Halls

In Lublin there are Old and New Town Halls. The first is located in the center, on the Rynok Square. Since 1578 there was the Crown Tribunal - the highest judicial instance. In the XVI century, the building was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, and after another century - in the Baroque style. Today here is the Palace of Marriage.

Lublin (Poland) acquired the New Town Hall in 1828. This building is in the style of classicism, which was badly damaged during the Second World War. However, the reconstruction retained the classic look. Only in 1952 did the restoration work. Now here is the archive, the office of the mayor, the police department and the municipal offices.

Majdanek

The most terrible attractions of Lublin are five sections with an area of 270 hectares, which have a common name Majdanek. The Hitler's death camp of the Third Reich was founded in 1941 and worked until 1944. For three years, about 80,000 people, most of whom were Jews, were killed in inhuman ways here.

As in Auschwitz (the concentration camp and the death camp of Auschwitz), there were terrible conditions for living here. People were forced to work most of the day, practically did not feed, did not bathe. Since 1942, destruction in gas chambers has begun.

The most terrible event that occurred on this territory was called "Harvest Festival". By this definition, the SS called the murder and the subsequent burning of bodies of more than 18,000 Jews. For this they only needed a day ...

City Tours

Attractions in Lublin can be viewed on their own or by using the services of a guide. As in other tourist cities, it is not difficult to find a tour desk here. But a walk with a professional will get more intense and interesting. As a rule, the excursion program includes:

• A museum in the open air (Lublin village);
• The botanical garden;
• Saxon Park;
• The churches of the Holy Spirit, Saint Peter and Paul and God's Mother Victorious;
• The Old Theater;
• Episcopal Palace.

And, of course, those attractions that were listed above. You can also book a private excursion to visit only those places that tourists want. There is a choice of movement by bus or on foot.