Piotrków Trybunalski, 1 hotel

Discover Piotrkow Trybunalski

Piotrkow Trybunalski, located about 50 km from Lodz, is one of the more interesting points on the map of Poland - a city with many faces, which impresses with the changeability of history, surprises with multiculturalism, delights with beauty and has fascinated filmmakers for years. Interesting monuments are not all it offers. There is also no shortage of cultural or natural attractions. Everyone will find something for themselves here, regardless of age, interests and preferences in how to spend their time. So whether you are looking for an interesting place for a short weekend trip or planning a longer vacation stay, Piotrkow Trybunalski will certainly rise to the occasion. 

Importantly, Piotrkow is easy to get to - as it is located just off the A1 highway and the S8 expressway. On top of that, you can also easily reach it by train or bus. And if at the same time you stay at the B&B HOTEL Piotrkow Trybunalski, located just about 800 m from the Old Town (about 10 minutes walk) and about 200 m from the railway and bus stations, you can have everything most important in Piotrkow at your fingertips.

Many important historical events took place in Piotrkow Trybunalski.

In 1469 the city witnessed the first fief tribute paid to a Polish ruler by the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. Few people know that Piotrkow Trybunalski used to be one of the political capitals of the Polish Kingdom - it was at a convention convened here in 1493 that King Jan Olbracht determined the final shape of the Polish parliament.

That's not all. In the past, for more than 200 years, the Crown Tribunal - the highest court of the former Republic - had its seat here. It remained so until the late 18th century. Sejm and bishop's synods were held in Piotrkow, and the most important state offices operated there. Elected kings were also elected here.
To this day, many reminders of the city's illustrious past can be found in the city, including the layout of the Old Town, the Royal Castle and the Farny Church.

Lights, camera, action!

Piotrków captivates not only tourists, but also filmmakers. Scenes for many films and series were shot here. Such iconic Polish productions as "Eve Wants to Sleep," "Vabank," "Mr. Kleks Academy," "Mr. Thaddeus," "Agatha's Abduction," "1920 Battle of Warsaw" and "In Darkness" were filmed here.  

Piotrków was also a film set for the Hollywood production "Jacob the Liar," in which the title role was played by the world-famous American actor Robin William. The latter even thought that the charm of the local Old Town was the work of set designers....

The city has even created a city tourist route "Film Petrograd". It leads through the places where shots were taken for films shot here. They are marked with special boards - you can see them well, so you will surely find them easily.

These places are worth visiting during your visit to Piotrkow Trybunalski

Piotrkow hides many charming and interesting places and wonderful monuments. The most important of these are located within the Old Town. Conveniently located - right in the beautiful Old Town - B&B HOTEL Piotrkow Trybunalski is a great place to start sightseeing, exploring the city. Where is it worth going? What is worth seeing? Here are our suggestions.

Orthodox Church of All Saints

On the map of Piotrkow one can find many places confirming the city's multicultural history. One of the more impressive ones is the brick neoclassical Orthodox Church of All Saints, located just 350 meters from our hotel. Its origins are linked to the arrival of Greek immigrants to Piotrkow in the 18th century. Greeks. Later the Russians took the initiative. The church is decorated with five onion-shaped domes and a bell tower topped with a high pyramidal cupola. Its interiors feature, among other things, a gilded, two-row linden wood iconostasis and precious icons. In 2007 the temple gained the rank of an Orthodox cathedral.

Medieval city walls

Taking a stroll towards the Trybunal Market Square, you will encounter medieval city walls dating back to the 14th century. It will take you about 10 minutes to reach them from our hotel. Admittedly, they are not complete, as only three fragments have survived to this day, but they have witnessed many historical events and are a remarkable decoration of the Old Town. Originally, the height of the fortification built of Gothic bricks reached 4.5 meters, and its thickness reached 2 meters. The walls surrounding the city had towers, as well as three gates.

The Trybunalski Market

Located in the very center of the medieval urban layout, about a kilometer from our hotel, the Trybunalski Market is the heart of Piotrkow and a must-see on any visit to this city. Although not large, it captivates with its architecture and atmosphere. It once housed the town hall, where the Crown Tribunal sat. However, it was demolished in the 19th century, and today residents and tourists are reminded of its existence by the outline of its foundations in the form of walls protruding slightly above the Market Square slab. Also noteworthy are the beautiful historic townhouses, including "Wójtowska", "Ormiańska", "Przyłuskich Palace", "Royal Post Office" and Queen Bona's Palace.

Starowarszawska Street

Few people know that during World War II (from October 8, 1939 to October 29, 1942), the first Jewish ghetto in Europe, established by the Third Reich in the occupied territories, operated in the Old Town of Piotrków. It covered the area of the Old Town and Podzamcze - 182 houses (4187 rooms) located on 28 streets. In an area inhabited before the war by 5,000-6,000 people, some 30,000 Jews from Piotrkow, its neighboring towns, and larger cities such as Poznan, Lodz, Czestochowa and Bydgoszcz were crowded into the area. This was merely a prelude to the "final solution of the Jewish question" - a policy of mass extermination carried out by the Nazis. Only a few survived. Ghetto residents lost their lives to starvation, rampant disease, work beyond their strength, as well as in street executions and in the death camps at Treblinka, Majdanek, Blizyn, Pionki and Buchenwald and Ravensbruck.

It was on the site of the former Piotrkow ghetto that scenes were filmed for the Hollywood production "Jacob the Liar," set in 1944, in a Jewish ghetto in eastern Europe. The title role in the film, directed by Peter Kassovitz, was played by Robin Williams. The prominent American actor was so impressed by the local Old Town that, looking at the Tribune Market and the old townhouses of Starowarszawska Street, he thought it was a movie town, the work of set designers.   

Marzipan Museum

Do you like sweets? If so, you absolutely must visit the Marzipan Museum, located on Grodzka Street, just off the Trybunalski Market Square and only 750 meters from our hotel. You will have the opportunity not only to listen to many interesting facts, but also to taste this delicious treat. But first you will prepare it yourself, using almonds, sugar and rose water - no worries, it's easy! After all, today there is no problem with access to these ingredients, as there was in the 16th century. In the past, they were very expensive and difficult to access, so at that time marzipan was hosted only at royal courts or by wealthy nobility, and its production was handled by... apothecaries.

However, marzipan workshops are held only on Saturdays - it is worth bearing this in mind when planning a visit to this place.
 

Museum of Brewing

Right next door to the Marzipan Museum, on Szewska Street, is the Museum of Brewing in the Brewery Education Center - the two places are less than 100 meters apart. This is a unique place where you can learn about the history and richness of beer, as well as the ties that connect it to the city. Here you will learn about its production process and how to brew it yourself in your own home. The exhibition uniquely presents equipment for the production of the golden beverage - an authentic, miniaturized brewing installation is mounted here on... the ceiling, impressing every visitor. The guide also conducts a tasting of a selected type of beer with the participants and shares with them the knowledge of its origin.

Royal Castle

This is one of the city's most famous and original attractions, located about 300 meters east of the Tribune Square. This unusual Castle was built to resemble a residential tower in the Gothic-Renaissance style. It was built in the 16th century by order of Sigismund I the Old and served primarily as the royal residence during the sejms held in Piotrkow - as the sessions lasted from a few days to even a few months. In addition to the monarch, his wife Queen Bona Sforza also lived there.

Over the centuries the building has served many functions. Since 1922, the Piotrkowska Landmark Museum has had its headquarters here. Right next door is Castle Square - this is where kings were once elected.

Jesuit Church

While in the vicinity of Piotrkow's Market Square, it is also worth visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Trybunal, which is one of the city's most valuable architectural monuments. The temple combines features of Baroque and Rococo. In its interiors you will find, among other things, richly gilded altars and stunning polychromies from the first half of the 18th century, as well as a painting of Our Lady with Child, or if you prefer - Our Lady of Trybunal, crowned by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

Farny Church

The Minor Basilica of St. James the Apostle is the oldest church in the city and historically Piotrkow's most important religious monument. The building was erected in Gothic style in the 14th century, during the reign of Casimir the Great. It was the temple that for many years was associated with the sejm sessions, synods, as well as the Crown Tribunal. You can admire a lot of historical works of art in it. One of them is, adorning the main altar, the miraculous painting "Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary", donated in 1520 by Queen Bona herself.

Get to know the nearest vicinity of Piotrków!

The closest surroundings of Piotrkow hide many beautiful corners, monuments and natural attractions that are worth exploring. In Sulejów, the Cistercian Abbey - a complex of perfectly preserved monastery buildings - awaits you. Right near this village is the charming Lake Wapienniki (a flooded quarry), stunning with its amazing turquoise color of water. However, the biggest attraction of the region is the Sulejowski Reservoir with its dam in Smardzewice. It is worth going to it in search of picturesque recreational areas. Lovers of walking, biking and picnicking will certainly not be disappointed. In addition, on hot summer days you can enjoy swimming here, as well as water sports on the lake. The lagoon itself is located within the Sulejowski Landscape Park.