Discover Turek: Churches, Mehoffer and exploring the town

The Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in the neo-Gothic style from 1904 to 1913. Its interior includes works by Józef Mehoffer, including polychromy and some of the stained-glass windows dating from 1933 to 1939. The Town Museum displays Mehoffer’s designs and a separate permanent exhibition on traditional weaving and textile crafts. You can explore the town with the “Tour de Turek” quest; walking and cycling routes also run through several named areas nearby and continue as far as Władysławów.

The Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a prominent cultural landmark in the city. Built from 1904 to 1913, its neo-Gothic style provides the architectural setting for Józef Mehoffer’s interior designs. These include polychromy and some of the stained-glass windows dating from 1933 to 1939. If you are interested in church art, you can see the building’s history and Mehoffer’s work in the same church, while keeping their different dates of origin distinct.

The Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Turek tells a different architectural story. It was built from 1849 to 1852 to plans by Henryk Marconi. Together with the Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it offers an opportunity to compare two churches from different periods. The area around the market square on plac Wojska Polskiego also offers a glimpse of the town’s older architecture: its buildings date in their present form from the second half of the 19th century. They have two or three storeys, with striking details that include cast-iron balconies featuring elaborate wrought-iron work.

The permanent exhibition “Turkowskie dzieło Józefa Mehoffera” is dedicated to designs for Mehoffer’s work in the parish church. In five so-called “red rooms,” you can see sketches and design cartoons for polychromy and stained-glass windows. The museum thus makes visible the preparatory designs for works used in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Turek. If you are particularly interested in the relationship between a design and the finished work, this focus of the exhibition offers a tangible way to explore it.

Another focus is the permanent exhibition “Tradycyjne tkactwo i włókiennictwo w Turku i okolicy.” It covers traditional weaving and textile crafts in Turek and the surrounding area. The museum therefore highlights regional crafts alongside Mehoffer’s art. The two exhibitions appeal to different interests and offer varied points of connection for your cultural trip.

The “Tour de Turek” quest is a self-guided way to explore the town, using written clues and riddles, and ends at a hidden stamp. This format is suited to exploring the town independently and differs from a guided tour. Organised groups can visit the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a member of the Turek Town Museum staff. An appointment must be made in advance by phone. Visits take place during museum opening hours, except on Saturdays and Sundays.

Near Turek, the “Zdrojki” walking and cycling routes pass through Zdrojki Forest, Szadowskie Góry and Karpaty, continuing as far as Władysławów. They are designed to be easy for residents of Turek and Władysławów to use. These routes add an option beyond the town centre to your exploration, passing through several distinct named areas. The tourist information centre provides publications and maps with information about attractions in Turek and the surrounding area.

If you would like to consider other destinations alongside Turek, you can also explore Kawęczyn, Marcjanów and Dzierżązna.

When was the Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus built?

It was built in the neo-Gothic style from 1904 to 1913.

How can organised groups visit the church?

With a member of the Turek Town Museum staff, by prior telephone appointment and during museum opening hours, except on Saturdays and Sundays.

What is the “Tour de Turek” quest?

A self-guided way to explore the town using written clues and riddles, ending at a hidden stamp.

Back to the main travel overview: Turek.