Przemysl is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Poland. This historic town can boast the richness of historic buildings and attractions.

At the Przemysl Market Square

First of all, it is worth seeing the unique sloping market square, surrounded on three sides by tenement houses from the 16th and 17th century (the fourth side does not stand toady.) Most of the houses were reconstructed in the 19th century although they have retained their original arcades. You can rest here, refresh yourself and drink coffee in one of many cafes. In the central point of the Market Square is the fountain with a bear, the symbol of Przemysl.

In the town of two cathedrals

We recommend visiting the Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic cathedrals as well as sightseeing the castle. The Roman-Catholic cathedral is located near the market square in Zamkowa Street.

It was built in Gothic style at the turn of the 16th century, in place of the older cathedral which was built in the 13th century. The latter was a Romanesque temple, whose remnants have been preserved in the vaults.

Next to the cathedral there is the Bishop’s Palace from the late-Baroque period, with its 71 metre high belfry – on of the most characteristic elements of the Przemysl panorama. Whilst still in Zamkowa Street one can reach another castle constructed in 1340 by king Casimirus the Great. In its yard one can find the remnants of an old rotunda and palatium from the time of the brave King Boleslaw I. The castle was thoroughly renovated in the 16th century in the Renaissance style. At present, it houses among others an auditorium of the Aleksander Fredro Amateur Drama Company – the oldest amateur drama group in Poland.

The second cathedral is the Greek Catholic cathedral, and it situated in the old baroque church of the Sacred Heart of Christ. This was originally built for the Jesuit order in the 17th century. Inside the cathedral one can see the 17th century iconstasis from the church in Lubaczow, a small town close to Przemysl. Next to the cathedral there is a modern day belfry, and behind it one will discover the 100 year old Archdiocesan Museum, located in the 17th century building of the old Jesuit college.

Pearls of Przemysl

When in Przemysl try to see the clock tower, where inside you can visit the only museum of bells and pipes in Poland. The exhibition includes a rich collection of historical and modern pipes found in the Przemysl Fortress, the pipe of a reservist, and a unique smoking room in the shape of a cannon. Other historical pearls of Przemysl include the National Museum of the Przemysl region, the Greek Catholic cathedral of St John the Baptist, the orthodox church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

When a trip around the city lying on the San River is almost over, we recommend walking down Basztowa Street to see the remains of the town walls from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The remaining town walls, including nine towers and three entrance gates were pulled down by the Austrians in the 18th century.

The Przemysl Fortress

The Przemysl Fortress is a unique complex of forts – an attraction not only for enthusiasts of military paraphernalia. During the First World War it was the third largest fortress in Europe (after Anntwerp and Verdun). However, it stands out from the others because of the three sieges, including the longest siege without a permanent front. Today the fortress consist of 45 km long ring that includes 15 main forts ans several dozen additional forts. This is also where the black tourist trail happens to lead.