This western Polish city along the Warta River has a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, Renaissance-era town hall, and museums dedicated to technology, art and archaeology.
Gorzów Wielkopolski (population 115,000) sits along the Warta River in western Poland. You can climb the 13th-century Gothic Cathedral tower for city views, watch classical performances in the glass-walled Philharmonic, stroll through gardens with over 100 rose varieties, or join locals at summer festivals like the International Romani Gathering, where musicians from across Europe perform traditional songs.
Walking the Warta Boulevard
In summer, palm trees line the riverside walkway where local musicians play jazz and traditional organ music daily from 2 PM to 8 PM. Take a 45-minute river cruise on the 135-year-old Kuna icebreaker or eat traditional Polish meals aboard the Królowa Jadwiga barge. At the public beach at the end of the boulevard, you'll find volleyball courts and swimming areas. Food carts sell regional specialties like pyzy (potato dumplings) and local ice cream.
Gothic Cathedral and Old Market Square
The red-brick Cathedral of the Assumption dates from 1257, with its Renaissance-Mannerist triptych altar as the centerpiece. While the building undergoes restoration after the 2017 fire, you can visit the cathedral museum displaying medieval artifacts found during recent excavations. The Paucksch Fountain next to the cathedral shows a female water carrier figure called Bamberka, representing the German settlers who arrived here in the 18th century.
Art Nouveau Architecture
Walk down Sikorskiego and Pomorska streets to see 19th-century Secession buildings. Max Bahr's villa (now the Bishop Wilhelm Pluta Institute) has grape vine and sunflower carvings across its white facade. The Lubusz Museum, housed in Gustav Schroeder's former residence, includes carved owls and lions among its decorative elements, with guided tours available Tuesday through Sunday.
Parks and Green Spaces
The city's 12 public parks cover 128 hectares. Wiosny Ludów Park contains more than 100 rose varieties blooming from June to September. Walk up to Siemiradzki Park's observation point for views across the Warta River valley and surrounding pine forests. Słowiański Park has 5 kilometers of marked Nordic walking trails and outdoor exercise stations.
Cultural Venues and Events
The Gorzów Philharmonic's glass walls reveal its curved interior structure. The main hall seats 600 people for classical concerts scheduled Thursday through Sunday. The annual calendar includes Gorzów Days in June with street performances and food markets, the DYM electronic music festival in August, and the three-day International Gypsy Festival in July. Pod Filarami Jazz Club hosts live performances every Friday and Saturday in a converted 19th-century merchant's house.
Getting Around
Twenty-seven bus lines, four night routes, and three tram lines connect all city districts, carrying about 90,000 passengers daily. Buses run every 15-20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. The city is 110 kilometers from Berlin, accessible via routes B1, E22, and E65. Summer shuttle buses connect to Lake Nierzym and Lake Długie, running hourly between 9 AM and 8 PM from June to September.
