A medium-sized town in the Masovian Voivodeship, located about 100 km north of Warsaw, on the Łydynia River.
Ciechanów isn’t exactly a great place for a city break, but if you're traveling by car, it’s worth making a stop to stretch your legs, take a look at the Castle of the Dukes of Mazovia, and explore the surrounding area.
The photos below were taken on a summer Friday evening — and what’s most surprising is that the town’s main pedestrian street was completely deserted. If there is any weekend life in the city, it’s definitely not happening in the center.
Have you heard of the beer called CIECHAN?
You’d think that in the hometown of this well-known brewery, you could find it just about anywhere. Think again. The brewery does have its own restaurant — but it's only open on Saturday evenings. And even then, the place is empty, while the grass in front of the entrance has grown up to waist level...
It is the capital of Ciechanów County and is historically situated on the border between Northern Mazovia and the Dobrzyń Land.
The town serves as a service and industrial center, with elements of secondary and higher education (branches of universities). It is relatively quiet and peaceful, with growing importance as a tourist destination. Historical reenactments and knightly fairs are held at the castle, among other events.
Castle of the Dukes of Mazovia
The most famous landmark of the town. A Gothic 14th-century brick castle built on a rectangular plan, featuring two distinctive towers. It was the residence of the Dukes of Mazovia, including Janusz I the Elder. The castle was destroyed during the Swedish Deluge and later partially dismantled. It was rebuilt in the 20th and 21st centuries. Currently, it houses a branch of the Museum of the Mazovian Nobility.
Parish of St. Joseph in Ciechanów
The parish in Ciechanów dates back to the 12th century, while the current parish church of St. Joseph is a late Mazovian Gothic building from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, which has been rebuilt multiple times, including in the 18th century.
The Ciechanów parish church is an excellent example of how late Gothic architecture in smaller Mazovian towns has survived in harmonious symbiosis with later periods. It is a living church, still serving liturgical functions, but also holding significant historic value.
Ciechan Brewery
One of the first craft breweries to achieve nationwide success in Poland after 2000. Known for its beer "Ciechan Miodowe," which at one point became quite trendy. The brewery promoted traditional brewing methods, but for some time now it has been less visible on the market.
Church of St. Tekla
The Church of St. Tekla in Ciechanów is a former church of the Augustinian Hermits order, now serving as a parish church. Its origins date back to the 14th century: after the Augustinian order was brought to the area by Duke Siemowit III, probably between 1353 and 1356, a church dedicated to St. Martin was built, first mentioned in 1372.
At the beginning of the 16th century, a new brick, three-nave basilica was constructed — documents mention the years 1511, 1513, and 1515, and the bricks bear the mason’s mark of Master Maciej Baran.
Military Barracks Complex in Ciechanów
The complex was built between 1897 and 1903 at the initiative of the Tsarist army as a base for the 32nd Kremenchuk Infantry Regiment. Later (around 1910), stables were added for the 6th Volhynian Uhlan Regiment.
After Poland regained independence, the 11th Legion Uhlan Regiment was stationed here (from 1921) — the complex housed, among others, the command, officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldier units.
After World War II, the Polish Army was stationed here, including the People’s Army, and for a long time the Military Property Agency occupied the site — currently, it still belongs to the Ministry of National Defence (MON). In 2021, the 5th Mazovian Territorial Defense Brigade was stationed here, which now conducts training and has its command and communications battalion.
As a military facility, the barracks are not open to tourists.
The Bell Tower on Farska Góra
The neo-Gothic bell tower, built in 1889, was erected on the site of an earlier 17th-century wooden tower on the old stronghold (grodzisko). As part of the church complex, it has been recognized as a historic monument.
Air Show Radom
The Air Show in Radom has been organized since the year 2000 and has gained a reputation as one of the largest and most important aviation events in Poland.