Skierniewice: Architectural History, City Park and Zalew Zadębie

A former archbishop’s palace in Skierniewice City Park offers a striking introduction to the town’s architectural and urban history. Other highlights include a historic railway station, churches and a market square with a medieval layout. Zalew Zadębie adds a different dimension: its location in a river valley is complemented by a recreation area with a bathing beach, watercraft rentals and opportunities for exercise. Discover Skierniewice according to your own interests, from cultural history to activities by the water.

Architectural history and places of remembrance

Pałac Prymasowski is a former 18th-century residence of the Archbishops of Gniezno, located in the city park. The Neoclassical Church of St James the Apostle adds to this historic picture: it was founded by Primate Antoni Ostrowski in 1781 and designed by Efraim Schreger. The historic railway station of the Warsaw–Vienna Railway reveals another chapter in the town’s architecture. It was built in 1874–1875 to a design by Jan Heurich the Elder in the so-called English brick Gothic style. The medieval architectural layout of the market square has also been preserved to this day.

The Church of St Stanislaus is the oldest church in Skierniewice, dating from 1720. The historic park gate once led to the residence of the Archbishops of Gniezno; today, it provides access to the city park and houses the Museum of the Traditions of the 26th Infantry Division. Muzeum Historyczne Skierniewic is dedicated to presenting and protecting the cultural and historical heritage of the town and its surroundings. Historic buildings thus stand alongside museum work and living religious traditions.

The first Jewish cemetery in Skierniewice dates back to 1827. Several matzevot and the ohel of the tzaddik Szymon Kalisz have been preserved there. Hasidic pilgrims visit the tzaddik’s grave and traditionally leave notes with requests. The cemetery is therefore marked both by its surviving memorials and by a pilgrimage tradition.

City park and waterside recreation area

A French-style garden, sculptures and bridges linking the main avenues shape the city park. Zalew Zadębie lies in the natural valley of the Łupia-Skierniewka River. The recreation area includes a supervised bathing beach, a beach, watercraft rentals and a wakeboard lift. It also features a pump track and monitored walking paths. The waterside activities range from the beach and watercraft to other ways to keep active.

Exploring the town, a festival and local flavours

Jabłcusiowy Szlak includes an interactive mobile game in which you explore the town by solving tasks and discovering local historical curiosities. The game is being technically updated, so its availability may change. The annual Skierniewickie Święto Kwiatów, Owoców i Warzyw also offers a varied programme. The three-day festival features concerts, a parade, horticultural and regional markets, floristry demonstrations and culinary events. Dates and programme change each year. You can try Skierlotka, an apple cake from Skierniewice, as a local speciality.

More highlights in the wider Lodz destination

The wider Lodz destination offers its own cultural and natural highlights. Oporów Castle is a small late-Gothic fortified residence on an island surrounded by a moat. It houses a museum with an exhibition of grand interiors, as well as collections of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. Arkadia is a romantic and sentimental English-style park, laid out by Helena Radziwiłłowa in the 17th century; its features include the Temple of Diana and a Roman Aqueduct.

Natural landscapes are also part of Lodz: Łódź Heights Landscape Park protects a hilly landscape unique in central Poland, with springs, streams and remarkable wildlife. The park has a dense network of marked hiking and cycling trails. In Łódź Voivodeship, the Rawka, Pilica, Warta, Grabia and Widawka rivers are frequently used for kayaking. The Sulejowski Reservoir and Jeziorsko Reservoir offer good conditions for sailing and windsurfing.

Discover more destinations: Skierniewice, Bolimów, Chlebów, Lipce Reymontowskie, Pajęczno, Poddębice, Łowicz, Łęczycki.

Back to the main travel overview: Lodz.