On the Bystrica River, in eastern Poland, is the Lublin Voivodeship, whose administrative center is the city of Lublin. The first settlement settled here in the 600s, although the documentary mention dates back only to the end of the 12th century. The city was rich, developed rapidly and was of great commercial importance. It is not surprising that many peoples were ready to fight for him not for life, but for death, starting with the Lithuanians and Prussians and ending with the 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 signing of the Union of Lublin took place - this is the main event during which the largest European state arose - the Commonwe alth. It united Lithuania and Poland.
Sights of Lublin attract, probably, all tourists who had the good fortune to visit Poland. This is a beautiful and well-groomed town, it is pleasant to walk along its streets at any time of the day. But not to losetime is wasted, you need to combine pleasure with profit by visiting important historical and interesting tourist places.
Krakow Gate
This is a symbol of the city, both historical and architectural. The gate is located in the western part of the Old City. During the Middle Ages, they served as the main entrance to the city, which was open exclusively to the nobility. The Krakow Gate got its name due to the fact that it divided the trade road between Vilnius and Krakow. And they were erected in order to strengthen Lublin after the brutal attack of the Tatars in 1341.
The gate itself is only a link in the fortification. The lower part (Gothic) is built of brick and limestone, while the upper part (Renaissance) is a two-story brick superstructure with an oblique pattern. There is also a third part, made in the Baroque style. It is a tower crowned with a copper dome. The construction of the gate continued for almost three centuries (1300-1500s). A museum has been operating inside since 1965.
Dominican Monastery
The Dominican church and 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 XIV century the prayer house of the Holy Cross was located. The complex consists of a 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 fire. Architecture in the course of perestroika acquired a Renaissance look. Then eleven chapels were gradually completed. the brightestyou can call the chapel of the Holy Cross, depicting the Last Judgment.
Lublin Castle
The first defensive structure was built on this site in the 12th century. The Lublin Fortress was a defensive wall surrounding the castle, to which a brick tower was subsequently built. However, the architecture did not shine then with attractiveness.
In 1520, the castle began to be rebuilt. The Renaissance style was chosen. Italian masters were engaged in restructuring and decorative component. And they managed to create a real architectural masterpiece. By the way, it was in this castle that the signing of the Union of Lublin took place.
Gradually, the territory was expanded, completing the construction of various objects, such as cellars and a corner tower. Now a museum is located here, and therefore visitors can admire the neo-Gothic building of the former prison, the Gothic donjon tower and the ruins of the Jewish tower.
City Gate
Many sights of Lublin are located in the Old Town. The city gates are located to the northeast of this area and are also called Jewish. At first it was part of the defensive wall, exactly until 1785. Then there was a reconstruction, which was again done by the Italian master Dominico Merlini. It is currently home to the NN Theatre, an organization protecting the region's cultural heritage.
Vincentiy Paul's Estate
Vincenty Pohl is a Polish poet, writer, geographer and ethnographer. His estate was built in 1972. Buildingmade in the style of classicism. Now a museum operates here, which contains the manuscripts of the owner of the estate, his books, biographical studies, 19th century furniture, various postcards and documents of the Poley family.
Town Halls
Lublin has the Old and New Town Halls. The first is located in the center, on Rynok Square. Since 1578, there has been a Crown Tribunal - the highest court. In the 16th century, the building was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, and a century later - in the Baroque style. Today the Wedding Palace is located here.
Lublin (Poland) acquired the New Town Hall in 1828. This is a classicist building that was badly damaged during World War II. However, during the reconstruction, the classic appearance was preserved. Restoration began only in 1952. Now there is an archive, the mayor's office, a police station and municipal offices.
Majdanek
The most terrible sights of Lublin are five sections of 270 hectares, which are collectively called Majdanek. Hitler's death camp of the Third Reich was founded in 1941 and worked until 1944. Within three years, about 80,000 people, most of whom were Jews, were killed here in inhuman ways.
Like Auschwitz (the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp), living conditions were terrible. People were forced to work most of the day, they practically did not feed, did not bathe. Destruction in gas chambers began in 1942.
The most terrible event that occurred in this territory wascalled "Harvest Festival". The SS called this definition the murder and subsequent burning of the bodies of more than 18,000 Jews. It only took them a day to do this…
City Tours
Sights of Lublin can be explored on your own or you can use the services of a guide. As in other tourist cities, finding a tour desk here is not difficult. But a walk with a professional will turn out to be more intense and interesting. As a rule, the excursion program includes a visit to:
- open-air museum (Lublin village);
- botanical garden;
- Saxon Park;
- churches of the Holy Spirit, Saints Peter and Paul and the Victorious Mother of God;
- Old Theatre;
- Bishop's Palace.
And, of course, those attractions that were listed above. You can also book a private tour to visit only those places that tourists desire. There is a choice of transportation by bus or on foot.
