Rzeszów is the capital of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship and the central hub of the Rzeszów metropolitan area.
Main Market Square in Rzeszów
The Main Market Square is the historical and cultural heart of the city, located in the Śródmieście (City Centre) district. Its history dates back to the 14th century, when Rzeszów was granted city rights and commercial privileges.
The square offers a variety of attractions for visitors:
- Underground Tourist Route "Rzeszów Cellars": a network of corridors and cellars beneath the square, reaching depths of up to 10 meters. These spaces once served as storage areas and shelters.
- Museum of Bedtime Cartoons (Muzeum Dobranocek): located near the square, this unique museum showcases a collection related to classic Polish animated films for children.
- Regional Museum (Muzeum Okręgowe): features exhibitions on the history and culture of the region.
- Cafés and Restaurants: the square is surrounded by numerous eateries offering both local specialties and international cuisine.
Rzeszów Town Hall
The Rzeszów Town Hall is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, located in the southwestern part of the Main Market Square. Its origins date back to the 14th century, although the building gained its current appearance after a major reconstruction in the late 19th century.
Lubomirski Castle in Rzeszów
The Lubomirski Castle is one of the most important and iconic buildings in Rzeszów. While its origins lie in the medieval period, the castle took its present form after a 17th-century reconstruction by the Lubomirski noble family.
The site was originally home to a Gothic defensive castle built by the Ligęza family in the 16th century. After the death of Mikołaj Spytek Ligęza, the castle passed to his daughter Konstancja and her husband, Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski, Grand Crown Hetman of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Around 1650, Lubomirski commissioned a major transformation of the castle into a Baroque-Renaissance residence.
Lubomirski Summer Palace in Rzeszów
The Lubomirski Summer Palace is a lesser-known yet fascinating residence in Rzeszów. It once served as a retreat and ceremonial residence for the Lubomirski family, located at some distance from their main seat at the castle.
The palace is situated in a park on Dekerta Street, southwest of the city center and near the Wisłok River. Originally surrounded by a formal Baroque garden, the grounds were later redesigned into a landscape park.
Church of Saints Adalbert and Stanislaus
The parish church of Saints Adalbert (Wojciech) and Stanislaus is one of the oldest in Rzeszów. Its foundations date back to the late 14th century, and the oldest surviving parts of the structure — from the early 15th century — represent the Late Gothic style typical of Lesser Poland.
The church is believed to have been founded by the Ligęza family, former lords of Rzeszów prior to the Lubomirski era. In the 17th century, under Lubomirski patronage, the church underwent significant reconstruction and decoration, although its original Gothic core was preserved.
The church's crypts once served as burial places for members of both the Ligęza and Lubomirski families.
Belfry – Tower Next to the Parish Church
Located right next to the Parish Church of Saints Adalbert and Stanislaus, on 3 Maja Street, the belfry is clearly visible from the pedestrian zone.
It was originally built as a bell tower, most likely in the 17th century, funded by the Lubomirski family during the expansion of the parish complex.
Some tourist guides mistakenly identify the tower as a former defensive tower or city gate due to its monumental appearance — similar mix-ups also occur in other cities.
There is a theory that it might have been built on the site of a former bastion or municipal watchtower, but there is no conclusive historical evidence to support this.
Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Cross
This Baroque structure reflects both the style and spirit of the Counter-Reformation, making it a classic example of sacred architecture from the second half of the 17th century. It is located on 3 Maja Street, like the parish church, along Rzeszów’s main pedestrian thoroughfare.
The church was built by the Piarist Fathers between 1644 and 1658. Its founder was Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski, Grand Crown Hetman and the owner of Rzeszów.
The church was the centerpiece of the Piarist monastic complex, which also included a school (college), boarding house, and garden.
