Krosno - known as ‘Small Cracow’ is a charming town in the Podkarpacie province, located at the mouth of the Lubatowka river into Wisłok. The town enchants with the beauty of medieval churches and historic tenements.
Krosno boasts many unique monuments. The sightseeing of the town should be started with the Old Market Square surrounded by the period houses wit Renaissance stone arcades. Special should be paid to ‘Wojtowska’ and Portius’s tenements. A star attraction of the town is the trampet-call sounded every noon at the Market Place. Among numerous interesting buildings in Krosno, Franciscans Church stands out as the oldest gothic temple in Krosno, the chancel of which was erected at the end of 13th century. Next to the parish basilica there is a baroque bell tower with one of its bells – Urban- Poland’s fourth largest bell. Sub-Carpatian Museum is a must see in Krosno as well. The exhibition entitled ‘History of lighting’ shows the most common sources of light used by a human being throughout centuries. The museum has the richest collection of the kerosene lamps in Europe.
What is Krosno famous for?
Krosno is one of the biggest glass-making industry centres in Poland. In the vicinity of the town and in Krosno itself there is more than 20 glassworks. The complete cycle of handmade glass production can be witnessed at the oldest glassworks in Krosno: from the smelting to the complete product. Highly ornamental glasswork is the best souvenir from the region. Here you can acquire decorative and usable glasswork. Krosno and the nearby area is the cradle of the international oil industry. In 1854, in Bóbrka, 14 km to Krosno, the first petroleum mine in the world was founded. Here you can see the oldest mineshaft Franek, as well as drilling, oil and natural gas exploitation devices. Krosno is also famous for confectionary and world-famous cakes. Sweet-smelling croissants and crunchy buns will satisfy the appetites of the most demanding clients. Krosno is open to all types of investments and business enterprises. The location of the town, near the boarders of Slovakia and Ukraine, adds to its potential. The town is favourably located for establishing cross-border contacts with companies in Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary and Romania. It was ranked second in the government investment rankings 2002-2004.
Attractions of the Krosno region
Krosno is an ideal base for mountain expeditions in Beskid Niski and the Carpathian Foothills.
Iwonicz Zdroj and Rymanow Zdroj are the most popular health-resorts in this part of Poland. A unique microclimate and healthy mineral waters attract a wealth of patients and visitors. Enthusiasts of mountain wandering should visit the ruins of the Kamieniec castle in Odrzykon and the nature reserve comes from a local legend according to which the rocks in the reserve are girls turned into stones for spinning on holy days. Many tourist trails lead through Krosno, among them are: Wooden Architecture Trail or Carpathian Temples Trail. The trail consists of 35 of the most valuable monuments of church architecture of the Polish – Slovakian borderland.
You can practise various sports in numerous sports centres in the town, both competitively and as amateur. Krosno has got two stadiums, an indoor swimming pools, tennis courts and ski lift in nearby Czarnorzeki. Every year on the ski slope the family contest, known as Krosno Championship, is organized. A newly-opened sports and performance hall offers many attractive leisure activities. The high-standard of the centre and its vast auditorium make it possible to hold mass spoting and social events.