Mysteries of Abandoned Hospitals in Poland: 6 terrifying locations for urbex lovers
June 11, 2025
Poland hides many mysterious places that fascinate urban exploration (urbex) lovers. Among them, abandoned hospitals - witnesses to the history of medicine and human suffering - occupy a special place. These forgotten buildings, once teeming with life, today stand empty, shrouded in a fog of mystery and horror. In this article, we will take you on a journey through 10 of the most terrifying abandoned hospitals in Poland, which are sure to provide an unforgettable experience for all adrenaline seekers and history lovers. Each of these facilities has its own unique history and atmosphere. From former military hospitals to psychiatric institutions to delivery rooms, each place tells a different story and offers a different experience. Keep in mind, however, that exploring such places involves some risk and requires proper preparation. Safety should always come first. Get ready for a fascinating trip back in time, during which you will discover the dark secrets of Poland's health service of the past. Long, deserted corridors, operating rooms frozen in time and unusual artifacts left behind by former patients and staff await you. Each of these places has its own unique atmosphere, which will surely remain in your memory for a long time. Remember that while these places are fascinating, they are still part of our cultural heritage. Therefore, when exploring, maintain respect for history and leave these places as you found them. Let these silent witnesses of the past continue to tell their stories to the next generation of explorers.
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The Abandoned Military Hospital in Legnica - a witness to the Soviet presence
We begin our journey from the impressive complex of the Abandoned Military Hospital in Legnica, located on Chojnowska Street. This sprawling facility, consisting of several buildings, was once the heart of medical care for soldiers of the Soviet Army's Northern Army Group stationed in Legnica between 1945 and 1993.
How to get there: The hospital is located in the southwestern part of the city, about 3 km from the center. The easiest way to get there is by car or cab. For public transport lovers, the nearest bus stop is 'Chojnowska - hospital', from where you need to walk about 500 meters.
Current accessibility: officially, the site is closed and should not be visited without proper permission. However, as reviews indicate, many people visit the site on their own. Be aware that it can be dangerous and illegal to enter the site.
What to see: The complex includes the main hospital building, a building with a movie theater, a gym, a chapel and even the remains of a swimming pool. Of particular interest is the pool, which resembles the one known from computer games depicting Pripyat. The main building features long corridors, operating rooms and administrative rooms.
Safety: extreme caution should be exercised during exploration. The buildings are in a poor state of repair, with numerous holes in the floors and unstable structures. There is debris, dust and vegetation encroaching everywhere.
What to bring with you: Sturdy shoes with thick soles, flashlight, dust mask, gloves, water and snacks. A camera is essential for capturing this remarkable place.
Surrounding attractions: Also worth seeing in Legnica are the Piast Castle, the market square with its historic townhouses and the City Park. The Copper Museum may also be of interest to history buffs.
Keep in mind that exploring abandoned buildings involves risks and may be illegal. Always follow safety rules and respect the place you are visiting. The Abandoned Military Hospital in Legnica is a fascinating testimony to history, which allows us to look into the past and feel the atmosphere of a bygone era.
Zofiówka - the the dark history of a Jewish psychiatric hospital
The next point of our journey is the Abandoned Institution for the Nervously and Mentally Ill Jews Zofiówka, located in Otwock at 10P Jana Kochanowskiego Street. This place, also known as Zofiówka, has an extremely rich and tragic history that dates back to the early 20th century.
How to get there: Zofiówka is located in a forest on the outskirts of Otwock, about 30 kilometers southeast of Warsaw. The easiest way to get there is by car. From Warsaw you can take the train to Otwock station, and from there take a cab or bike (about 4 km).
Current availability: Officially, the site is closed and should not be visited. However, according to reviews, many people visit the site. Please note that it is illegal and potentially dangerous to enter the site.
What to see: The complex consists of two main buildings surrounded by forest. Inside, you can find the remains of former hospital rooms, corridors and administrative spaces. Of particular interest are remnants of medical equipment and inscriptions on the walls left by former patients and staff.
Safety: The buildings are in a very poor state of repair. The floors can be unstable, and there is debris and broken glass everywhere. Use extreme caution and do not enter rooms that look unsafe.
What to bring with you: Sturdy trekking shoes, flashlight (preferably a headlamp), gloves, dust mask, water and snacks. A camera with a good wide-angle lens will help capture the atmosphere of the place.
History: The hospital was founded in 1908 as an institution for Jewish patients with mental disorders. During World War II, the Nazis murdered patients, and after the war the building was used as a tuberculosis sanatorium. It was finally closed in the 1990s.
Surrounding attractions: In Otwock, it's worth seeing the distinctive wooden architecture known as 'świdermajer'. Also nearby is the Na Torfach nature reserve and the Otwock Land Museum.
Zofiówka is a place that hides many secrets and tragic stories. When exploring it, remember to respect its past and the victims who died here. It is not only an attraction for urbex lovers, but also an important memorial site.
Moving on to the next point of our journey, we move to Lubliniec, where we find the Abandoned City Hospital at 3 Żwirki i Wigury St. This impressive building, erected at the beginning of the 20th century, served the city's residents for years, and today stands abandoned, attracting the attention of explorers and history lovers.
How to get there: The hospital is located in the center of Lubliniec, and is easily reached on foot from the train station (about a 15-minute walk). For those arriving by car, parking spaces are available in the area.
Current Availability: The site is officially closed and should not be visited without proper permission. However, according to reviews, many explorers visit the site on their own.
What to see: The building impresses with its monumental architecture from the early 20th century. Inside you can find the remains of former hospital rooms, long corridors and staircases. Of particular interest are the old medical installations and pieces of equipment that have stood the test of time.
Safety: extreme caution should be exercised. The building is in a poor state of repair, with unstable floors and falling plaster. Many of the windows are broken, creating additional hazards.
What to bring with you: Sturdy shoes with thick soles, flashlight, dust mask, gloves, water and snacks. A camera with a good lens for low-light photography will help capture the unusual atmosphere of the place.
History: the hospital was built in the early 20th century and served the people of Lubliniec for many decades. Closed in the 1990s, it has since stood abandoned, falling into increasing disrepair.
Surrounding attractions: Also worth seeing in Lubliniec are the market square with its historic townhouses, the Edith Stein Museum and the City Park. Not far from the city is also the beautiful castle in Koszęcin.
The abandoned municipal hospital in Lubliniec is a fascinating place that gives us a glimpse into the past of Polish health care. While exploring it, remember to be cautious and respectful of the site's history.
The Abandoned Hospital on Traugutta Street in Wroclaw - an urban legend
Our tour of abandoned hospitals in Poland would not be complete without a visit to the Abandoned Hospital on Traugutta Street in Wroclaw. This mysterious complex of buildings, located in the Oława Suburb, has fascinated urban exploration enthusiasts for years and has become a true urban legend.
How to get there: The hospital is located on Traugutta Street, in the Olawa Suburb, about 2 km southeast of Wroclaw's Market Square. The easiest way to get there is by streetcar (lines 3, 5, 10) getting off at the 'Traugutta' stop. From there it's just a few minutes' walk.
Current accessibility: Officially, the site is closed and should not be visited without proper permission. However, as the accounts of explorers indicate, many visit the site on their own. Note that it can be dangerous and illegal to enter the site.
What to see: The complex consists of several buildings, including the main hospital building and smaller pavilions. Inside you can find the remains of operating rooms, doctors' offices and even old medical equipment. Particularly impressive are the long, dark corridors and staircases, which create an eerie atmosphere.
Safety: Exploration requires extreme caution. The buildings are in poor repair, with unstable floors, holes in ceilings and falling plaster. Many of the windows are broken, creating additional hazards.
What to bring with you: Sturdy shoes with thick soles, flashlight (preferably a headlamp), dust mask, gloves, water and snacks. A camera with a good wide-angle lens and a tripod will allow you to capture the extraordinary atmosphere of the place.
History: the hospital was built at the turn of the 20th century and served the citizens of Wroclaw for many years. After World War II, it functioned as a provincial hospital and then a clinical hospital. It was closed in the 1990s and has stood abandoned ever since, falling into increasing disrepair.
Surrounding attractions: Nearby sights include Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral of St. John the Baptist), the UNESCO-listed Centennial Hall, and the famous Wroclaw dwarves. History buffs may also find the National Museum or the Raclawice Panorama interesting.
The abandoned Hospital on Traugutta Street is a fascinating place that gives us a glimpse into the past of Polish medicine and the history of Wroclaw. When exploring it, remember to be cautious and respectful of this historic building.
At the end of our journey we move to Ostroleka, where we find the Old Hospital on Henryka Sienkiewicza Street. This abandoned complex, although less well-known than the previous locations, also hides a fascinating history and unusual atmosphere.
How to get there: The hospital is located in the center of Ostroleka, about 1 km from the train station. You can walk there or get there by local bus.
Current Availability: The facility is officially closed and should not be visited without proper permission. However, according to reviews, many explorers visit the site.
What to see: The complex consists of several buildings, including the main hospital building. Inside you can find the remains of hospital rooms, corridors and staircases. Of particular interest is the shelter located within the complex.
Safety: extreme caution should be exercised. The buildings are in poor condition, with unstable floors and falling plaster.
What to bring with you: Sturdy shoes, flashlight, dust mask, gloves, water and snacks. A camera will help capture the atmosphere of the place.
History: The hospital served the residents of Ostroleka for many decades of the 20th century. It was closed in the 1990s and has stood abandoned ever since.
Surrounding attractions: Also worth seeing in Ostroleka are the 19th century fortifications, the Museum of Kurpie Culture and the picturesque Narew River valley.
To sum up our tour of abandoned hospitals in Poland, it should be emphasized that exploring such places, while fascinating, involves risks and may be illegal. Always follow safety rules and respect the places you visit. These abandoned hospitals are not only an attraction for urbex enthusiasts, but also an important testimony to the history of Polish medicine and architecture.
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