Discover Konin: Culture, Old Town and the Warta

Konin offers a range of things to explore during a stay: the Muzeum Okręgowe has permanent exhibitions on the city’s history, Judaica and the region’s prehistory. The Bulwar Nadwarciański is a riverfront promenade, just under a kilometre long, that runs through the Old Town. The Szlak Bursztynowy follows a nine-kilometre route along streets in Konin. The western part of the Old Town is also home to the just under ten-hectare Park im. Fryderyka Chopina.

These places offer different things to explore: exhibitions and historic architecture sit alongside riverside walking routes and green spaces. When planning your stay, you can consider whether culture, city history or time outdoors should make up the largest part of your visit.

The Muzeum Okręgowe w Koninie is based in the Gothic castle in Gosławice. Bishop Andrzej Łaskarz herbu Godziemba had the castle built in 1426. The permanent exhibitions cover Konin’s history, Judaica and the prehistory of the Konin region. This historic building brings together different themes from the city’s and region’s history.

The town hall also tells the story of the city’s architecture: the Neoclassical building was constructed between 1796 and 1803. Every day at noon, the “Hejnał Miasta Konina” sounds from the tower. If the timing matters to your plans, check the information before your visit.

The former country house of Zofia Urbanowska in the Old Town was built in the Neoclassical style in the mid-19th century. The writer lived there from 1910 until her death in 1939. Another historic building is Dom Zemełki, the oldest brick residential building in Konin’s Old Town. It dates from around the turn of the 17th century.

The former synagogue dates from 1832. Its main hall retains original, partly reconstructed paintings on the east wall and on four columns. The building is not open to visitors, so do not plan to visit the interior.

The Bulwar Nadwarciański is a riverfront promenade on the Warta in the Old Town, just under a kilometre long. It is part of the Szlak Wielkiej Pętli Wielkopolski and includes viewing terraces, two amphitheatres, a passenger boat landing, a river marina and walking paths. These details describe different features of the waterfront, not a specific events or boat timetable.

Comparing the lengths of the promenade and the Szlak Bursztynowy can help with planning: the riverfront promenade is just under a kilometre long, while the route in Konin is nine kilometres. The Szlak Bursztynowy follows Świętojańska, Wał Tarejwy, Kościelna, Plac Wolności, Warszawska, Dworcowa, Kolejowa, Torowa and Leśna streets. Check the route conditions before setting out.

Park im. Fryderyka Chopina was established in 1843. The park is home to, among other animals, alpacas, African ostriches, emus, goats, wild boar, donkeys, ponies and fallow deer. As the animals kept there may change, check ahead if you have a particular species in mind.

If you include Konin County as well as the city in your travel plans, you will find seven marked hiking trails there, with a combined length of more than 110 kilometres. In Licheń Stary stands the basilica built between 1994 and 2004, the largest church in Poland. By number of pilgrims, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Licheń is Poland’s second-largest religious centre after Jasna Góra. Hiking and religious architecture thus add further regional perspectives to the city’s attractions.

First decide which themes you want to shape your stay: the Old Town and culture, routes along the Warta, or the city park. If you are considering other destinations in the county, you can include those in your plans as well. Then compare the location and details of specific accommodation with your own plans for visiting.

Discover more destinations: Świętne, Sompolinek, Sługocinek, Julia, Grodziec, Wiśniewa, Osowce, Jabłonka.

What topics are covered by the Muzeum Okręgowe w Koninie?

The permanent exhibitions cover Konin’s history, Judaica and the prehistory of the Konin region. The museum is based in the Gothic castle in Gosławice.

Is the former synagogue open to visitors?

No. The building is not open to visitors. Its main hall retains original, partly reconstructed paintings on the east wall and on four columns.

When does the Hejnał Miasta Konina sound?

The Hejnał sounds from the town hall tower every day at noon. If you want to plan around the time, check the information before your visit.

For the broader travel overview: Konin.