Krosno's market square is the beating heart of the city, whose history dates back to the 14th century, when King Casimir the Great granted the settlement city rights. This medieval market square has retained its original urban layout and is still the center of the city's social and cultural life.

Surrounded by beautiful townhouses from different eras, the Krosno market square impresses with its authenticity and atmosphere. Particularly noteworthy are the Renaissance houses with arcades, which once served as a place for merchants to trade. According to local accounts, during the city's heyday a trade route connecting Hungary and Poland ran through Krosno, and Hungarian wine was traded in the market, which was stored in the vast cellars under the townhouses.

The dominant feature of the market is the town hall, whose history is as fascinating as it is turbulent. The current building was constructed in the 19th century on the site of an earlier structure that burned down during one of the many fires that haunted the city. According to local legend, a treasure was hidden in the basement of the town hall to secure the city in case enemies invaded. Although the treasure was never found, the tale sparks the imagination of visitors.

Around the market square there are numerous cafes and restaurants where visitors can relax and enjoy regional delicacies. On warm summer evenings, the market is bustling with activity, and during cyclical cultural events, such as the Theater Festival and the Balloon Competition, it attracts crowds of locals and tourists.

There is also an interesting history connected with Krosno watchmaking associated with the market. In the 16th century, the town was famous for its production of tower clocks, and Krosno clockmakers enjoyed recognition throughout the Republic. Today, the clock on the town hall tower, which has been striking the hours unchanged for more than a century, is a reminder of this tradition.

It is worth noting the Gothic parish church, whose silhouette towers over the market square. The parish church, built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 17th century, hides real treasures of sacred art - a main altar from the 16th century, Baroque stalls, tombstones and sculptures. Particularly valuable is the early Baroque chapel, built in 1647-1648 by an Italian architect, famous for its exceptional stuccowork. According to accounts, during the Swedish Deluge the inhabitants hid the most valuable relics and valuables in the church, thanks to which they have survived to the present day.

Walking around the market, it is worth noting the architectural details adorning the townhouses - portals, cornices, window frames - which testify to the wealth of the former residents and their artistic taste. Each of the townhouses has its own history and secrets, which can be discovered during a guided walk or by using the available information materials.

Krosno is not only a city of beautiful monuments and picturesque landscapes, but above all a city with a rich tradition of craftsmanship, especially related to glassmaking. This unique legacy is cultivated and presented in two fascinating museums: the Glass Heritage Center and the Craft Museum.

The Glass Heritage Center in Krosno is an absolutely unique place on the map of Poland. Located at 2 Blich Street, in the immediate vicinity of the market square, it is an interactive museum presenting the history and techniques of glass production, which has been a part of the city's identity for centuries. According to historical sources, glassmaking traditions in Krosno date back to the 14th century, when the first artisans began to produce glass vessels and stained glass windows for churches and wealthy townsfolk.

The center's biggest attraction is the glassmaking demonstrations, during which visitors can watch master glassmakers at work. Red-hot glass molded with deft movements into beautiful vessels and ornaments is a sight that will take your breath away. According to visitors' accounts, watching the glass blowing process is among the most fascinating experiences Krosno has to offer. Interestingly, some of the glassblowers working at the Center are representatives of families that have been involved in glassblowing for generations, and their skills have been passed down from father to son.

In the gallery of artistic and applied glass, one can admire both historical products and contemporary works of art. Particularly valuable is the collection of kerosene lamps, a reminder of another important invention associated with the region - the kerosene lamp constructed by Ignacy Lukasiewicz. According to local legend, the first kerosene lamp was lit right in Krosno, illuminating the pharmacy where the inventor worked.

During the summer, spectacular 3D mapping shows are presented on the exterior wall of the Center's building, which amazingly combine the history of glassmaking with modern multimedia technologies. These nightly shows draw crowds of spectators and are one of the most innovative tourist attractions in the region.

Just a few steps from the Glass Heritage Center, at 19 Pilsudski Street, is the Craft Museum, which completes the picture of Krosno's rich handicraft traditions. The museum is located in a historic building from the turn of the 20th century, which is itself a valuable example of bourgeois architecture.

In the museum you can learn about the history of Krosno's craft guilds, which have shaped the economic and cultural face of the city since the Middle Ages. As early as the mid-15th century, there were guilds of bakers, tailors, shoemakers, blacksmiths, drapers and folushers in Krosno, and the city became a significant center of cloth and barchan production. Of particular interest is the reconstruction of old craft workshops - shoemaking, tailoring, carpentry or watchmaking, where authentic tools and products can be seen.

One of the most fascinating exhibits is a working weaving workshop, where you can observe the process of making fabric during special demonstrations. According to reports from older residents, back in the 1950s in many Krosno homes one could hear the distinctive clatter of weaving looms, from which, according to one theory, the town took its name.

The museum also organizes handicraft workshops, where you can try your hand at traditional craft techniques under the guidance of experienced instructors. This living history lesson allows you not only to better understand the past, but also to appreciate the craftsmanship of the old craftsmen.

To complement your visit to Krosno, you can discover its cultural and natural riches, which are presented by the Podkarpackie Museum and the Prządki nature reserve located near the city.

The Podkarpackie Museum in Krosno, located at 16 Pilsudskiego Street, is a real treasure trove of knowledge about the region and its past. Established in 1954, the museum occupies the historic building of the former Jesuit College from the 17th century, which adds to its special character. According to local accounts, remnants of earlier buildings were encountered during the construction of the college, which testifies to the long history of settlement in the area.

The museum is especially famous for its unique collection of oil lamps, one of the largest and most valuable in the world. The collection has more than 4,000 exhibits and depicts the evolution of kerosene lighting since the invention of the lamp by Ignatius Lukasiewicz in the mid-19th century. Among the exhibits are both simple utility lamps and true works of art made by the best craftsmen from around the world. Particularly valuable is a lamp that, according to accounts, belonged to Lukasiewicz himself and was used during the first operation performed by kerosene light in a hospital in Lviv.

In addition to the lamp collection, the museum offers fascinating archaeological, historical and ethnographic exhibitions. Particularly interesting is the exhibition devoted to the region's folk culture, presenting costumes, tools and everyday objects characteristic of the Subcarpathian region. According to ethnographers, many elements of the local material culture show Slovak and Hungarian influences, indicating intense cross-cultural contacts over the centuries.

The archaeological department features finds from local sites, including unique artifacts from the Bronze and Iron Ages. According to archaeological research, the area around Krosno was inhabited as early as the 10th-11th centuries, and the oldest traces of settlement date back as far as the Stone Age. These discoveries shed new light on the prehistory of the region and show how important Krosno was throughout history.

For lovers of nature and active recreation, a must-see is a visit to the Prządki Nature Reserve, located about 10 kilometers from the center of Krosno, near the village of Korczyna. This unusual geological reserve, established in 1957, protects a group of picturesque rock formations that, according to folk legend, are stone-turned spinners who dared to spin flax on a holiday.

The rock formations in Prządki, made of Ciężkowice sandstone, reach heights of up to 20 meters and take on fanciful shapes that stimulate the imagination. Local people have given them names such as 'Herst', 'Baba', 'Robber Madej' and 'Prządka-Mother', noticing characters from local legends in their contours. According to geologists, these fascinating forms were formed as a result of selective weathering of rocks over millions of years.

The reserve is crisscrossed by numerous hiking trails, which allow visitors to admire the rocks from different perspectives. Especially recommended is the red trail, which leads through the most picturesque corners of the reserve. From the higher points there are beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys, and in good weather you can even see the distant peaks of the Bieszczady Mountains.

Prządki is also a popular rock climbing spot, offering dozens of climbing routes of varying difficulty. According to climbers, the Ciężkowice sandstone offers exceptional climbing opportunities, and the climbing itself, surrounded by such a picturesque landscape, is an unforgettable experience.

It is worth knowing that there are also other natural and cultural attractions in the vicinity of Przazki, such as the ruins of Kamieniec Castle in Odrzykon and the Kretówki Reserve, which protects a natural yew stand. These places, along with Krosno itself, create a rich tourist offer that attracts both history and culture lovers and enthusiasts of active recreation in nature.