This industrial southern Polish city has a lively main square with local restaurants and historic churches. The city's puppet theatre and active nightlife draw many visitors.
Gliwice, a city in Upper Silesia, has preserved its medieval layout with Gothic churches and Renaissance townhouses. Walk through the Market Square to see the 15th-century Town Hall, visit the Palm House where parrots fly among 6,000 tropical plants, or climb the 111-meter wooden Radio Tower for views across the region. The city's streets come alive during summer evenings when students from the Technical University gather in outdoor cafes and local bands perform in Chopin Park.
Market Square Architecture and Life
The Market Square forms the heart of Gliwice's Old Town, with its Gothic Town Hall and townhouses dating from the 15th to 19th centuries. Restaurants serve Silesian dumplings and local beer at outdoor tables from April to October. The 18th-century Neptune Fountain marks the center of the square, where street musicians perform on weekend afternoons. Look up to spot Renaissance stone portals and carved Baroque window frames on the buildings' facades.
The Wooden Radio Tower
The 111-meter Radio Tower, built entirely from larch wood in 1935, remains standing despite its age and the events of World War II. You can climb to three viewing platforms at different heights. The museum in the base building displays original technical equipment and documents about the 1939 Gleiwitz incident. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM.
Palm House and Parks
Inside the Municipal Palm House's glass dome, paths wind between palm trees, orchids, and carnivorous plants. More than 6,000 tropical species grow in the 2,000-square-meter space. Parrots fly freely among the vegetation, while aquariums contain fish species from the Amazon and Lake Tanganyika. The connected Chopin Park has century-old oak trees and weekly concerts at its summer stage from June to September.
University and Cultural Scene
The Silesian University of Technology occupies several neo-Gothic buildings from 1907. Walk through the main building to see its decorated lecture halls with original wooden benches and brass light fixtures. The Gliwice Arena, with 13,752 seats, hosts international music concerts and sports competitions. Recent events included the 2019 Junior Eurovision Song Contest and European volleyball championships.
Medieval Churches
Climb the tower of All Saints Church for a panoramic view of Gliwice from 40 meters up. This 15th-century Gothic church has preserved its original stone vaults and wall paintings. The Armenian Church, originally built as a hospital in 1480, contains medieval frescoes and carved wooden doors. Inside Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, centuries of architecture combine in its Gothic ribbed vaults, Renaissance chapel, and gold-decorated Baroque altars.
