Pertikau: Old Town, Film History and Astronomy

Pertikau (Piotrków Trybunalski) can be explored through several distinct themes: its medieval town centre, historic buildings, film history and astronomy shows. Religious sites and local specialities also give the destination its own character. You can tailor your stay to the interests that appeal to you most.

Old Town, Market Square and Castle

Rynek Trybunalski is the focal point of the medieval street plan. The outlines of the former town hall are marked on its paving. A plaque commemorates the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the Crown Tribunal, whose seat was Piotrków’s town hall. The Old Town comprises around 100 historic buildings. In addition to Rynek, it includes Grodzka, Konarskiego, Szewska, Łazienna Mokra, Sieradzka, Rwańska, Pijarska, Farna and Rycerska streets, as well as plac Czarnieckiego. Parts of Krakowskie Przedmieście and Wojska Polskiego Street are also included.

The Royal Castle was built between 1512 and 1519 by Master Benedykt of Sandomierz, commissioned by Sigismund I the Old. The city walls also tell the story of several construction phases: work began in the 14th century under Casimir the Great, and the walls were completed towards the end of the same century thanks to a grant from Queen Jadwiga. Today, only three short sections of the former fortifications remain. The museum’s permanent exhibition, “The Role of Piotrków Trybunalski in the History of the Polish State,” explores the city’s history in the context of the Polish state.

Film History and Astronomy

The Piotrków Film Trail runs through the heart of the city centre. From 1957 onwards, Pertikau was repeatedly used as a filming location for Polish and foreign productions for more than 50 years. Scenes were filmed here for over 20 films.

Another special place is the planetarium at the Bolesław Chrobry I General Secondary School. It began operating on 10 October 1981 and was the first amateur planetarium in Poland. Popular science astronomy shows are presented there. If you plan to attend a show, check in advance whether visitors can attend.

Churches and Sanctuaries

The Jesuit Church of St Francis Xavier is also the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Trybunalska. Dedicated to the patroness of Polish parliamentarians, it is a place of prayer for political leaders. Another religious landmark is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Piotrków at the Bernardine Monastery of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The image venerated there was painted in 1625 and has been in a side altar of the Bernardine Church ever since. For almost 500 years, the image has played an important role in Pertikau.

Marzipan, Ice Cream and Beer History

At Rynek Trybunalski 2, the Muzeum Marcepanów offers workshops lasting around an hour. Participants make marzipan themselves from natural ingredients. If you plan to attend a workshop, check its availability in advance. The Muzeum Lodów at Rynek Trybunalski 9 offers ice cream workshops. From November to April, admission is reserved for organised groups, according to the stated policy; take this seasonal restriction into account when planning your visit.

Beer is also part of the city’s heritage. The oldest surviving written reference to Pertikau beer dates from 1487, when King Casimir IV Jagiellon confirmed the rights of Piotrków’s merchants. The brewing tradition goes back to the city’s founding. For centuries, exceptionally large quantities were brewed here, even by Polish standards.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Pertikau is served by the Warsaw–Katowice–Vienna railway line and is an important national road transport hub. You can use these rail and road connections to help plan your journey. Those interested in cycling can find a map of the cycling network in the city. It complements the different ways to explore the place and its themes.

Discover more destinations: Bełchatowski, Lodz, Pabianicki, Brzeziny, Zduńska, Powiat Piotrkowski, Łęczycki, Rawski

Go to the main travel overview: Lodz.