An industrial town in southern Poland with a 19th-century railway station and the remains of medieval Morsko Castle nearby. Close to the limestone cliffs of Eagle Nests Trail.
Zawiercie (population 49,000) sits in southern Poland's Silesian Voivodeship, near the limestone cliffs of the Polish Jura. The neo-Gothic Saints Peter and Paul Church dominates the city center with its twin spires, while the red-brick houses of the TAZ workers' settlement tell the story of the city's railway past. A 30-minute drive takes you to Ogrodzieniec Castle, where you can climb 14th-century towers for views across the rocky landscape.
Transport Connections to Zawiercie
Direct trains connect Zawiercie to Warsaw (3 hours), Kraków (1.5 hours), and Katowice (45 minutes) on the Warsaw-Vienna railway line. By car, take National Road 78, which links to the A1 motorway near Katowice.
Religious Architecture in Zawiercie
The Saints Peter and Paul Church (1900) rises above the city center, its twin spires visible from most streets. The interior includes carved wooden altars and stained glass windows. In the Skarżyce district, you'll find the 16th-century St. Trinity Church, while the St. Nicolaus Church in Kromołów dates to the 1500s, with original wooden ceiling beams and medieval frescoes.
Industrial Buildings and Railway History
The 1847 railway transformed Zawiercie from a village into an industrial center. Walk through the TAZ workers' settlement to see late 19th-century red-brick houses arranged in neat rows. The Szymański Palace, built by a local factory owner, has carved stone window frames and a garden with 100-year-old oak trees.
Castles of Polish Jura
Hike to Ogrodzieniec Castle, perched on a 515-meter limestone cliff. You can climb its 14th-century towers and walk along the defensive walls. The Eagle's Nests Trail connects to more medieval fortresses through rock formations and valleys. The trail network spans 200 kilometers, with markers guiding you between castles.
Sports and Recreation in Zawiercie
The Warta Zawiercie volleyball team plays home games in Poland's top division from September to April. Local football matches happen at the 1000th Anniversary Stadium, built in 1966. Cyclists can take the 40-kilometer loop to Ogrodzieniec Castle, which winds through forest paths and past limestone outcrops. The tourist office on Main Street rents bikes and sells detailed trail maps.
