Discover Swarzędz: Furniture History and Culture

Swarzędz combines a city history that can be explored with a specific theme: furniture-making. St. Martin’s Church, the Swarzędzki Szlak Meblowy, a permanent exhibition and the offerings of the Swarzędzkie Centrum Historii i Sztuki provide different starting points for your stay. You can focus on historical developments, explore the furniture trail independently or discover the cultural centre’s collections and activities.

From Craftsmanship to a Furniture-Making Tradition

Swarzędz was granted town rights in 1638; crafts developed there from the town’s earliest days. For a time, Swarzędz was also an important textile centre. The second half of the 19th century marked a turning point for the local furniture-making tradition: this was when Swarzędz carpenters began to prosper economically. Furniture was initially made mainly for local markets, and later also reached shops in Poland and Germany. These two market phases make the change tangible: at first, local sales were the priority; later, they extended beyond the town.

St. Martin’s Church is another historical landmark. It was consecrated in 1656 and designated a historic monument in 1968. The two dates mark different events: the consecration belongs to the church’s history, while its designation as a historic monument reflects its later recognition as protected cultural heritage. The church thus adds a distinct connection to the town’s history to the story of its crafts.

The Furniture Trail and Exhibition

The oversized chair in front of the Salon Meblowy Stolarzy Swarzędzkich was installed in 1995 to promote furniture from Swarzędz. It became a distinctive landmark in the town. The salon is located at 41 Wrzesińska Street and was originally called Rzemieślniczy Pawilon Meblowy. It hosts a permanent furniture exhibition throughout the year. The salon therefore highlights both the presentation of furniture and a widely recognisable symbol of the local furniture-making tradition.

You can explore the Swarzędzki Szlak Meblowy independently. A free brochure is available at the Salon Meblowy Stolarzy Swarzędzkich, the Swarzędzkie Centrum Historii i Sztuki and the promotional department of the Swarzędz Town and Municipality Office; it is also available online. For your self-guided exploration, you can also use a leaflet or an audio map on your phone. The brochure provides a printed introduction to the subject, while the audio map offers another way to explore on your own.

Discover the Cultural Centre

At the Swarzędzkie Centrum Historii i Sztuki, you can explore the collections and take a virtual tour of Swarzędz in the past. A town model lets you look for familiar places. There are also two other activities: you can virtually build a piece of furniture or step into the role of a firefighter. The offerings connect the town’s history with practical tasks and different ways to explore.

The highlights differ: the furniture trail takes you into the history of the local furniture-making tradition, while the cultural centre brings together collections, a virtual tour and interactive activities. When planning your stay, you can consider which subject you would like to explore in more depth. If you’re looking for hotels in Swarzędz, these interests can be a starting point for planning your time in the town.

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