Discover Krosno: Old Town, glass and history

When planning a stay in Krosno, you can focus on what interests you most: Old Town architecture, religious buildings, craftsmanship, glass or the history of lighting. The sights and collections give each of these themes a concrete connection to the city.

Rynek and the historic Old Town

Rynek is surrounded by historic townhouses from different periods and is distinguished by its Renaissance arcades. Today, the square serves as a place for strolls and outdoor events. Architecture and use come together here: the arcades shape its appearance, while the square is also a place to spend time outdoors.

The Wójtowska townhouse stands at Rynek 7. Built in the 15th century, it is considered the oldest townhouse in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The Franciscan Church adds to this view of the city’s architectural history: it is the oldest church in the city, and its oldest parts date from the late 13th century. Fragments of 15th- and 16th-century wall paintings can be found in its Chapel of the Transfiguration of Christ.

Church art and city history

The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity also preserves a specific work of art: a Gothic Crucifixion group dating from around 1420 is located on the monumental chancel arch. The dates of Krosno’s churches therefore span the oldest parts of the Franciscan Church, the wall paintings and a work from the early 15th century. Here, you can encounter different historical layers without assigning the buildings all to the same period.

The monument to Ignacy Łukasiewicz in the cityscape also commemorates the inventor of a prototype petroleum lamp. The Portius Monument offers a different accent: this bronze sculpture was made to a design by Kamil Słowik, stands more than 2.5 metres tall and weighs about 300 kilograms. Its material, dimensions and weight give the monument a tangible scale.

Craftsmanship, glass and light

The permanent exhibition “Dzieje rzemiosła Polski południowo-wschodniej” at the Muzeum Rzemiosła includes documents on crafts from the 18th to the 20th century, as well as everyday objects and tools from the 19th and 20th centuries. Its particular focus is Krosno and the surrounding area. The Muzeum Rzemiosła is closed until further notice; take this into account when planning your visit.

The exhibition “Historia oświetlenia” at the Muzeum Podkarpackie w Krośnie offers a different perspective. It presents a significant collection of petroleum lamps made in various locations across Europe and the world. The collection also includes other sources of light, from ancient oil lamps to electric lamps from the first half of the 20th century. This span of time makes the evolution of lighting the exhibition’s subject and distinguishes it from the craft-history collection at the Muzeum Rzemiosła.

At the Centrum Dziedzictwa Szkła, visitors learn how glass is made and about Krosno’s many connections with the glass industry. Visitors can see glassmaking up close, hold a glassblower’s pipe and try blowing a glass vessel such as a vase. If you plan to take part in this hands-on activity, it is advisable to check the current visitor information in advance.

A model of the Old Town

The Makieta Krosna is an educational model of the Old Town, located on the fountain in the centre of the historic Old Town. It complements views of the townhouses and churches with a scaled-down representation of the city. If you are exploring how the Old Town is laid out, you can look beyond individual buildings to a model of the whole city.

Regional routes in the wider Krośnieński destination

The wider Krośnieński destination also includes routes beyond visits to the city of Krosno. The black-marked trail from the ruins of Kamieniec Castle to Czarny Dział passes through the Prządki Nature Reserve; the Kiczary Hills, about 500 metres high, lie near Czarny Dział. The green-marked Krosno–Strzyżów trail offers views of Odrzykoń Castle at the start. The Krosno–Brzozów and Sanok–Dukla routes of the Wooden Architecture Route also pass through Krośnieński County. These route descriptions belong to the wider Krośnieński region and should not be confused with sights in the city itself.

Discover more destinations: Krasna, Dukla, Wrocanka, Krościenko Wyżne, Jedlicze, Królik Polski, Moderówka, Wisłoczek.

Return to the wider travel overview: Krośnieński.