Discover the Secrets of the Old Town in Lublin: the route of legends and ghosts

Discover the Secrets of the Old Town in Lublin: the route of legends and ghosts

June 11, 2025

Are you ready for an extraordinary journey through time and space? Join us on a fascinating tour of the Old Town in Lublin, where every backstreet hides a secret and every building has a story to tell. Our route of legends and ghosts is ideal for families with children who want to combine education with a thrill and a pinch of magic. Prepare to meet the ghost of an unfortunate hangman, listen to the whispers of the old inhabitants and discover the secrets that have hidden the walls of Lublin's old town for centuries. This nighttime expedition will give you a completely different look at Lublin and will long be remembered by both small and large adventurers.

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The Old Town Square - the heart of Lublin's legends

Our dark adventure begins at the Old Town Square in Lublin (Rynek, 20-111 Lublin), the heart of the historic center. This is the place where the fates of the inhabitants have intersected for centuries and where many fascinating legends were born. To get to the place, it is best to use public transportation - bus lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 stop at the 'Brama Krakowska' bus stop, from where it is only a few steps away from the Market Square.

The market is accessible 24 hours a day, with no age restrictions. However, it is worth remembering that our tour is most atmospheric after dark, so we recommend starting the tour around 8:00 pm in summer or 6:00 pm in winter. Remember to wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes!

Standing in the middle of the Market Square, look at the surrounding townhouses. Each of them has its own history, and some hide dark secrets. Pay attention to the Konopnic tenement house (Rynek 12) - according to legend, there is a treasure hidden in its cellars, guarded by the ghost of its former owner. Do you dare to look through the basement windows?

Nearby, at Rynek 8, is the famous Crown Tribunal. It was here, according to legend, that the 'devil's court' took place. In 1637, when the judges handed down an unjust verdict, the devil himself appeared and left the mark of his paw on the table. To this day you can still see this souvenir in the form of a black stain on the table inside the building.

The next point on our route is the mysterious Stone of Misfortune (President Teodor Gruell Street, 20-111 Lublin). It is a small, inconspicuous boulder that, according to legend, brings bad luck to anyone who touches it. It is said to have been the stone on which the executioner used to lay the heads of convicts before execution. Do you dare to touch it? Or would you rather avoid it by a wide margin?

Remember, it's a good idea to use caution when walking at night. For families with younger children, we recommend earlier visiting hours. For older children and teenagers, a night hike can be an exciting adventure, but always under adult supervision.

In the Market Square area you will find many restaurants and cafes where you can rest and eat before continuing the tour. We particularly recommend 'Legends of the City' (7 Solidarności Avenue, 20-841 Lublin), where the menu is inspired by local legends and the decor transports guests into the world of old Lublin.

Mysteries hidden underground and in the walls

Our route continues in the direction of Plac Po Farze (Grodzka 18, 20-400 Lublin). This is the place where the parish church of St. Michael the Archangel once stood, demolished in the 19th century. Today only its foundations remain, but according to legends, at night you can hear the sounds of ancient services and see the spirits of the praying faithful. The square is open to the public, with no time restrictions. Note the mock-up depicting the former appearance of the church - it will help you imagine how impressive the building was.

From Plac Po Farze we head towards one of Lublin's most mysterious attractions - the Lublin Underground Route (Rynek 1, 20-112 Lublin). This is a system of corridors stretching under the Old Town, where, according to legends, criminals and even the Black Trib (devil) himself used to hide. The route is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (last entry at 5:00 pm). Tickets can be purchased on site or online: normal - 18 PLN, reduced - 14 PLN, family (2+2) - 56 PLN. Please note that the route is not accessible to people with mobility difficulties and children under 5 years old. Warm clothing is recommended, as the temperature in the underground is about 9°C.

After leaving the underground, head towards the Gothic Tower (Królewska 8, 20-400 Lublin). This 14th-century building is the only surviving part of Lublin's former defensive walls. According to legend, in its dungeons you can still hear the moans of the criminals once imprisoned here. The tower is now part of a private property, but can be admired from the outside at any time of the day or night.

The next point on our route is the Donjon (Zamkowa 9, 20-400 Lublin), or castle tower. It is the oldest surviving brick building in Lublin, dating back to the 13th century. According to legends, hidden within its walls is the treasure of the Knights Templar, and at night you can meet the ghost of a duchess who died falling from the tower. The donjon is available to visit as part of the Lublin Museum, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The entrance ticket costs PLN 8 (regular) or PLN 6 (reduced).

For families with children, we recommend taking a flashlight with you - not only will it be useful for lighting the way, but it will also create the right mood for telling scary stories. Also remember to wear comfortable shoes - the route leads along uneven, cobblestone streets.

Near the route there are several family-friendly restaurants where you can take a break for a meal. It's worth checking out 'U Fotografa - Craft Beer Pub' (Zlota 2, 20-112 Lublin), where, in addition to tasty food, parents can enjoy local craft beers.

The final of the tour - the ghosts guarding the gates of the city

The final point of our mysterious trek is Brama Krakowska (Bramowa 2, 20-400 Lublin) - one of the most recognizable symbols of Lublin. This 14th-century building was the main entrance gate to the city and, according to legends, it is here that the spirits of Lublin's former defenders keep guard. The gate is open to the public daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm as part of the Museum of the History of the City of Lublin. The entrance ticket costs PLN 10 (regular) or PLN 8 (reduced). The observation deck at the top of the gate offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city - the perfect place for a souvenir photo from a night out!

It's worth knowing that climbing to the observation deck requires climbing a narrow, steep staircase, which can be difficult for people with limited mobility or small children. For families with younger kids, we recommend limiting yourself to exploring the lower levels of the gate.

Our legends and ghosts tour ends here, but that doesn't mean the end of the adventure! We encourage you to continue exploring the Old Town on your own. Perhaps you will be able to discover some more unknown secrets?

Some practical tips at the end:

  1. the entire route can be walked in about 2-3 hours, depending on the pace and time spent at each point.
  1. For families with small children, we recommend spreading the route over two days to avoid fatigue.
  2. There are many public toilets near the route, including in Lokietek Square and Grodzka Street.
  3. It's worth carrying cash - not all attractions accept card payments. 5.For the full effect, we recommend downloading an audio guide app for Lublin - available free of charge in Google Play and App Store.

Remember that although our tour tells of ghosts and legends, the Old Town of Lublin is a safe place, full of charm at any time of the day or night. Have fun looking for traces of the past, but always maintain respect for the monuments and other visitors.

We hope that this unusual journey through the history and legends of Lublin will remain in your memory for a long time. Who knows, maybe you will become the heroes of the next Lublin legend? We wish you a successful adventure and see you on the trail of secrets of the Old Town of Lublin!

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