This historic western Polish town was the birthplace of pianist Paderewski and has preserved its Gothic church and 14th-century castle ruins alongside local pubs and eateries.
Leszno, a city of 62,000 people in western Poland, draws visitors to its baroque Market Square with its 17th-century Town Hall, the white-and-blue Unia Leszno speedway stadium, and Europe's longest grass airfield. You can watch motorcycle races, take gliding lessons, explore the ornate Saint Mary Church, or time your visit for the annual Air Picnic in July or the Baroque Plus Festival in September.
Speedway Racing Culture
Since 1938, the Unia Leszno speedway club has shaped the city's identity. Fans pack the 15,000-seat stadium during weekend matches from April through October, creating loud, energetic atmosphere. Look for residents wearing the team's white and blue colors throughout the streets on race days. The club has won the Polish Championship 15 times, making it Poland's most successful speedway team.
Aviation Activities
At the Leszno Aero Club's grass airfield, you can take introductory flights or sign up for gliding courses. The airfield spans 2.5 kilometers, making it the largest in the Wielkopolska region. Three world gliding championships have taken place here, and the central gliding school trains pilots year-round. During the July Air Picnic, pilots perform aerobatic displays and offer sightseeing flights over the city.
Religious Buildings
The Saint Mary Church's baroque tower rises above the city center, with detailed 17th-century stonework on its facade. Originally built as a Calvinist temple, it now functions as a Catholic church. The 19th-century former synagogue on Narutowicza Street preserves the memory of Leszno's Jewish community, which played a key role in the city's commerce until World War II.
Market Square Architecture
Baroque buildings from the 1600s and 1700s line the Market Square. The Town Hall's tower includes a working clock from 1790. Walking around the square, you'll see merchant houses with decorated facades dating from Leszno's time as a printing and textile center. Many buildings have retained their original architectural details.
Getting Around
Trains run every two hours to Poznań (1 hour) and Wrocław (1.5 hours). The S5 dual carriageway connects Leszno to both cities. Within Leszno, 25 kilometers of bike paths link the center with residential areas and parks. Local buses operate from 5 AM to 11 PM, with most routes stopping at the Market Square.
Cultural Events
During the September Baroque Plus Festival, classical musicians perform in the Saint Mary Church and Town Hall. The Return of the King festival in June includes historical reenactments in the Market Square. From June through August, the Leszno Flavour Gourmet Picnic brings local food producers to different locations around the city for outdoor markets and cooking demonstrations.
