Where in the world is Rzeszów

Rzeszow is the capital of the Subcarpathian province. It is located in the southeast part of Poland, close to the border with Slovakia on one side and Ukraine on the other side. The city has approximately 200,000 inhabitants. Krakow is the nearest big city about 170 km away from Rzeszow. Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is located approximately over 300 km away.

Is Rzeszow worth a visit?

Rzeszów combines historical charm with a modern vibe, making it an appealing destination for those looking to experience a less touristy side of Poland.

Although, Rzeszów is a small city, I was pleasantly surprised that there were many attractions that make the city worth visiting. Rzeszów features a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Notable beautiful places include the renowned Town Hall, Rzeszów Castle and the Market Square, which is lined with colorful townhouses, museums, and the impressive Monument to the Revolutionary Act which you must see for yourself.

The Beautiful Town Hall (Ratusz) in the Market Square, Rzeszow at night
Poland

I visited Rzeszow late winter/early Spring/mid summer and I remembered seeing this wonderful gem of a place come alive and filled with people until the late hours at the restaurants, outdoor cafes, bars, concerts, listening to live piano music, or just wandering around enjoying the vibrant and uplifting ambience.

If you have limited time, keep in mind that Rzeszow is doable as a quick day trip by train.

Rzeszow Rynek Market Place with Town Hall

How to Get to Rzeszow

Rzeszow is located in Subcarpathia, southeast of Poland close to Ukraine and Slovakia. Krakow and Przemysl (by the Ukraine border) are conveniently close, making connections from Rzeszow relatively easy. The train runs frequently from Krakow and Przemysl and there are also direct trains from Warsaw, Wroclaw, Tarnow and also from outside Poland.

Rzeszow Glowny Train Station a few blocks from the famous Market Square

I do not speak Polish but it was relatively easy to buy my train ticket from the sales person at the train station. There are also Kiosks at the train station where you can purchase tickets.

Rzeszów has only one airport, Rzeszów Ulma Airport which is an international airport located in southeastern Poland, in Jasionka, a village ten kilometres from the center of the city of Rzeszów. It serves flights from other Polish cities and abroad. I flew in to Krakow, spent the day sightseeing then on the next day took a private transfer to Rzeszow about 2 hours by car, a pretty easy drive. Some of my friends flew in to Krakow, then took a flight to Rzeszów airport.

Map of The Market Square, Rynek, Rzeszow, Poland

What to Do and See in Rzeszow

Rzeszów city boasts a rich history. However, the heart and soul of Rzeszow is the Market Square. Here you can see and experience the vibrant energy of this beautiful square surrounded by cafes, hotels, bars, historic buildings, and much more. Although I was in Rzeszow for several weeks, I frequently visited most of these main sights in Rzeszów in one day as most of the main attractions are in one area and within close proximity to the main Market Square (Rynek).

Ratusz Rynek or Town Hall in Rzeszow

I was captivated by the Town Hall (Ratusz) in the Market Square, Rzeszow, Poland

The bustling Market Square is the central hub and features the beautiful neogothic and neo-renaissance Town Hall (Ratusz) known for it’s unique mix of architectural style. It was originally built in the latter part of the 16th century but was destroyed and rebuilt in the 19th century. It is a beautiful building in the middle of the Rynek Square with a clock that strikes at least every hour. I visited the inside of the Town Hall which is opened during weekday working hours from Monday to Friday. I had the opportunity to visit the interior of the Rzeszów City Hall in the Rynek. Paintings and portraits of leaders from years ago grace the walls. The grand staircase leads to the second floor where the mayor's office and meeting rooms can be found.

The Rzeszów Cellars “Rzeszowskie Piwnice”

Rzeszów Underground Cellars used as storage and shelter
Poland

The Rzeszów Cellars “Rzeszowskie Piwnice” is a unique attraction with underground and hidden passages used in the past as storage, shop, and during the Tatar invasions and wars they constituted a shelter for the inhabitants of the castle. According to the guide, the cellars date back to the 14th to 18th centuries. It is 369m long and reaches a depth of up to 10m. It consists of 25 basements and 15 corridors and runs under the tenant houses and the Market Square.

There are tours taking you through several illuminated connected cellars under the market square. My tour began with an overview of the history of Rzeszow, starting as a private city and evolving into the public one it is today. There are a series of coats of arms for each stage of the city's life.

There are also rooms with historical items including hand tools, suits of armor and medieval weaponry, relics of medieval walls, remains of iron bars, and several centuries old hand made bricks. The tour comes out through a house on the other side of the Rynek Market Square. There’s a souvenir shop inside right before you exit.

The Rzeszów Cellars “Rzeszowskie Piwnice”

Located in the Rynek Market Square, Rzeszow, Poland

I spontaneously bought my ticket at the Rzeszow Cellars and was lucky to catch a tour in English. I also snagged a few inexpensive souvenirs from the Tourist Information area before I left.

The Old Synagogue in Rzeszów

There is a notable Jewish presence in Rzeszów. Nearby in the Market Square (Rynek) is the Old Synagogue, which dates back to the first years of the seventeenth century, and today houses the city archives. It is well restored on the outside with historical informative plaques, and a star of David can still be seen on one of the walls. This building is not open but every time I walked by the building, I always stopped and read the informative plaques on the walls of that old Synagogue.

Old Well with the famous frog at the Market Square, Rynek

Well with the famous frog at the Market Square, Rynek

Rzeszow, Poland

The Old Well is a prominent feature in the Market Square. It was probably constructed in the 16th or 17the century and was apparently the source of drinking water for the citizens of Rzeszow. It was discovered in 2001 and was restored to it’s current state. With seats around it, this place is a favorite meeting place for tourists and locals. I really enjoyed looking into the well for the huge frog sitting inside.

The Monument to the Revolutionary Action

Monument to the Revolutionary Act in Rzeszow, Poland

It is impossible to miss this iconic landmark known as “The Monument to the Revolutionary Action” and also as “The Monument to the Revolutionary Struggle” (I have seen it referred to by more names) in the city center at the intersection of Łukasz Ciepliński and Józef Piłsudski Avenue.

It was erected in 1974 and commemorates the struggle and the fights for freedom fought in the Rzeszów region in the 1930s.
Two sculptures made of copper sheet were attached to them at a height of about 8 meters. One shows "Nike", the goddess of victory, and the other from the side of the Provincial Office building-a worker, peasant and soldier.
A dozen or so years later, two shields with the coat of arms of Rzeszów in the form of a knight's cross were installed on the monument.

The Monument to the Revolutionary Action in Rzeszow is close to the Millennium Hall shopping mall and to the Bernardine Monastery. I took the opportunity to visit both while in the area.

The Lubomirski Summer Palace

The Lubomirski Summer Palace in Rzeszów dates back to the 17th century is one of the city's most valuable architectural buildings. It was very pleasant walking around this beautiful palace. The gardens are lovely and the architecture and statues are wonderful. It is located in close proximity to the Lubomirski Castle.

Rzeszów Lubomirski Castle (Zamek Lubomirskich)

The Lubomirski Castle in Rzeszów, Poland

Rzeszów Lubomirski Castle (Zamek Lubomirskich) is an impressive building with big walls, moat and shape of whole building still intact. It was rebuilt between 1902 and 1906, and is located on the former grounds of the castle of the House of Lubomirski. Currently it houses the seat of the provincial court and until 1981 the building housed a prison. To get there, I usually walked along the bustling pedestrian street Kościuszki then along the 3 Maja street a few blocks towards Rzeszow Castle.

Rzeszów Multimedia Fountain

Rzeszów Multimedia Fountain located about a 10-minute walk from the Market Square, puts on quite a show around the early summer months. The magnificent water display is synchronized with various genres of music and spectators are in for quite a treat. Any seat in the amphitheater gets a great view of the show as the whole park is transformed into a magnificent show of music and light and multicolored water. In the background is the Summer Palace.

I really enjoyed sitting around the fountain and watching the amazing display of colors during the early evening hours. There were lots of families with kids having fun playing in the fountain.

Aleja Pod Kasztanami or “Avenue Under the Chestnuts”

The charming street of Rzeszow called Aleja Pod Kasztanami (Avenue of the Chestnuts) Poland

One of my favorite moments is walking along the charming street of Rzeszow called Aleja Pod Kasztanami (which translates to the “avenue under the chestnuts” located fairly close to the Market Square which is between the Lubomirski castle and the Summer Palace. The cobblestoned street got its name from the chestnut trees growing there. I loved looking at the impressive villas which were constructed in the 20th century.

Where to Go Next from Rzeszow

From Rzeszow, I took the train from Rzeszow Glowny train station to neighboring Tarnow, Lancut, and Zalipie (train and private car), an easy daytrip.

Poland: Rzeszów, a Gem of a City and lesser know destination