Konin: Old Town, Warta Riverfront and City History

Konin can be discovered from very different perspectives: through the history of the Old Town, the exhibitions at the Muzeum Okręgowe w Koninie and the paths along the Warta. If you are looking for a hotel in Konin, you can start by considering which of these themes you would like to shape your stay. The places below differ in their focus and scale, and offer practical guidance for planning your trip.

History in the Old Town

Konin Town Hall is a Neoclassical building erected between 1796 and 1803. The “Hejnał Miasta Konina” is played from the town hall tower every day at noon. If the exact time matters to you, check it locally. In this way, the town hall’s historic architecture is connected with a recurring city tradition.

The former country house of Zofia Urbanowska is also located in the Old Town. The building was constructed in the mid-19th century in the Neoclassical style. The writer lived there from 1910 until her death in 1939. Another example of older residential architecture is Dom Zemełki: it is considered the oldest brick residential building in Konin’s Old Town and was built around the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Konin’s former synagogue, dating from 1832, is also part of the town’s history. Original paintings, partially reconstructed, have been preserved in its main hall on the east wall and on four columns. The building is not open to visitors. This is important to bear in mind when planning your sightseeing around places that are actually accessible.

Museum in a Gothic castle

The Muzeum Okręgowe w Koninie is located in the Gosławice district. It is housed in a Gothic castle commissioned in 1426 by Bishop Andrzej Łaskarz herbu Godziemba. Here, architectural history and museum exhibitions come together, while the permanent exhibition themes offer a distinctive perspective on the region.

The museum features permanent exhibitions on Konin’s history, Judaica and the prehistory of the Konin region. These three themes range from local history and Jewish culture to prehistory. If you are particularly interested in historical context, the museum offers a different perspective from the individual buildings in the Old Town.

Warta Riverfront and routes through the city

The Bulwar Nadwarciański is a riverside promenade just under one kilometre long, along the Warta in Konin’s Old Town. It includes viewing terraces, two amphitheatres, a passenger boat landing, a river marina and walking paths. The Bulwar is also part of the Szlak Wielkiej Pętli Wielkopolski. The promenade thus brings together several types of public facilities by the river, although its length should not be confused with that of a longer route.

In Konin, the Szlak Bursztynowy follows a nine-kilometre route along Świętojańska, Wał Tarejwy, Kościelna, Plac Wolności, Warszawska, Dworcowa, Kolejowa, Torowa and Leśna streets. Compared with the Bulwar, which is just under one kilometre long, this is a significantly longer route that runs along several streets. Check the route conditions before setting out.

City park with history and animals

Park im. Fryderyka Chopina was established in 1843. It is in the western part of the Old Town and covers just under ten hectares. Its historic grounds and location give the park a different character from the buildings and exhibitions that tell the story of Konin.

Animals kept in the park include alpacas, African ostriches, emus, goats, wild boar, donkeys, ponies and fallow deer. The animal species may change over time. This gives you a choice of different themes when planning your trip: historic architecture, museum history, the Warta Riverfront or a city park with animals. Choose a hotel in Konin based on the interests that matter for your stay, and use these differences to guide your further planning.

Discover more destinations: Licheń Stary, Wiśniewa, Świętne, Sompolinek, Grodziec, Ślesin, Golina, Julia

For the main travel overview: Konin.