This Polish border town shares a unique connection with German Görlitz across the Nysa River, with both cities functioning as one until 1945. The Old Town Bridge connects the two.
Zgorzelec, a town of 30,000 residents in southwestern Poland, sits directly on the Polish-German border. Two bridges connect it to its German twin city Görlitz across the Lusatian Neisse river. You can explore the grand 1902 Municipal House of Culture with its neo-baroque architecture, walk through the former POW camp where French composer Olivier Messiaen wrote his famous "Quartet for the End of Time," or examine 18th and 19th-century daily life objects at the Lusatian Museum.
Cross-Border Experience
Cross between Zgorzelec and Görlitz on two bridges: the pedestrian Old Town Bridge (Altstadtbrücke) or the Pope John Paul II Bridge for vehicles. Since Poland's entry into the Schengen Area in 2007, you can freely move between both cities without border checks. Walk or cycle along the riverside path on the Polish side, which extends north and south of the Old Town Bridge.
Getting There and Around
Take the A4 motorway to exit 1 for direct access to Zgorzelec. Choose between two railway stations: Zgorzelec in the south and Zgorzelec Miasto in the east. Regular local buses connect both parts of the twin cities throughout the day.
Cultural Landmarks
The Municipal House of Culture (Dom Kultury) stands as a testament to neo-baroque architecture from 1902. Originally the Upperlusatian Commemoration Hall and later the Emperor-Friedrich-Museum, its grand staircase and ornate facade remain intact. Inside the Lusatian Museum, you'll find the "Lusatian Room" with household items and tools from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Historical Sites
Visit the Jakob Böhme House, where the German theologian lived from 1599 to 1610, to learn about his life through original manuscripts and personal items. The former Stalag VIII A prisoner-of-war camp at the southeastern edge of town held 120,000 prisoners between 1939 and 1945. Today, the European Centre for Education and Culture runs guided tours and concerts at the site.
Food and Drink Scene
Sample traditional Polish dishes in local restaurants, including żurek - a sour rye soup with sausage and boiled egg. Local bars serve Polish beers like Żywiec, Lech, Tyskie, and Książęce. In winter, warm up with piwo grzane - hot beer flavored with cinnamon and cloves.
Parks and Recreation
Walk through the connected parks of the Brückenpark project on both sides of the Neisse River. Take a stroll along the Greek Boulevard (Bulwar Grecki). The Sport & Recreation Centre includes football fields, tennis courts, and swimming pools both indoors and outdoors.
Annual Events
Join the international Greek Song Festival, held every July since 1999. During summer, attend concerts in the park next to Dom Kultury. From spring through fall, visit the FoodPark to taste Polish street food specialties like zapiekanka - open-faced sandwiches with melted cheese and toppings.
