Zgorzelec: City History and Culture

There are several ways to plan a visit to Zgorzelec: explore Przedmieście Nyskie, the city’s oldest historic district; visit cultural and memorial sites; cross a bridge to the old town of German Görlitz; or take part in a regular running event. The city is also located on the Polish section of the Way of St. James. If you are looking for a hotel in Zgorzelec, these different themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Przedmieście Nyskie and the Museum

Przedmieście Nyskie is the oldest historically developed part of Zgorzelec. The district is home to many interesting places connected with the city’s history and notable residents. The Muzeum Łużyckie is located amid historic tenement houses on the Nysa Łużycka River. Its exhibitions explore the city, its history, and the culture of Upper Lusatia. This brings together two cultural points of reference for your visit: the museum’s historic surroundings and the subjects of its exhibitions. The museum’s location and exhibits offer different points of orientation: the tenement houses provide a sense of the surroundings, while the exhibition themes direct your attention to Zgorzelec and Upper Lusatia.

Art, architectural history, and border history

One specific work of art is the colorful ceramic WAZE bas-relief. It was installed in 1998 on the wall of a concrete elevator building next to the former Dreiradmühle. The artwork, its material, the year, and its architectural context are all clearly identified. The building of the Miejski Dom Kultury also brings together different periods: it was built in 1898–1902, was formerly known as Górnołużycka Hala Pamięci, and today houses the Miejski Dom Kultury. A plaque on the front wall commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Zgorzelec, which established the border along the Oder and Neisse rivers, on 6 July 1950. The dates refer to different events: 1898–1902 is the construction period, 1950 is the year the treaty was signed, and 1998 is the year the relief was installed. This makes it possible to distinguish the architectural history, border history, and later work of art chronologically.

A bridge and biographical connections

The Most Staromiejski connects the banks of the Nysa Łużycka and leads directly to the old town of German Görlitz. It is a specific point of reference if you would also like to consider the connection with Görlitz during your trip. Another cultural highlight is the Domu Jakuba Böhme. The house is associated with Jakub Böhme (1575–1624), a mystic and Protestant theologian of the 17th century. His life dates place him in time; the house’s connection with a single historical figure offers a biographical focus alongside the themes of city history, the museum, and architecture.

Commemorating Stalag VIII A

At the former site of Stalag VIII A on Łużycka Street, on the southern outskirts of the city, stands a stone obelisk with a relief and commemorative plaque. Another historical reference is the Stalag VIII A cemetery site, which became a national memorial after the war. These two references reflect different aspects of remembrance: a clearly described monument and the post-war development of the cemetery site. This gives the history of Stalag VIII A its own distinct focus alongside the cultural and architectural histories.

The Way of St. James and Parkrun

Zgorzelec lies on the Polish section of the Way of St. James, which leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. For travelers with a pilgrimage connection, this offers a distinct link to the city, separate from the museums and memorial sites.

Parkrun in Nadnyski Park offers a specific time-based activity. The free 5-kilometer event was launched on 7 September 2026 and takes place every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. It is open to all age groups, fitness levels, and running speeds. The regular schedule and explicitly broad participation make it a different kind of travel-planning option from the historic sites. If the Saturday event is important to your stay, check it in advance.

Discover more travel destinations: Sławnikowice, Ruszów, Pieńsk, Jędrzychowice, Bogatynia, Bierna, Dłużyna Dolna, Trójca

For the broader travel overview: Zgorzelecki.