The majestic walls of the Castle of the Dukes of Mazovia are undoubtedly the most important symbol of Ciechanow and a must-see point of any cultural excursion. Erected at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries on the initiative of Prince Janusz I the Elder, this Gothic fortress is one of the best preserved examples of medieval defensive architecture in Mazovia. The mighty cylindrical towers connected by a curtain wall are very impressive even to modern tourists.

The history of the castle is fascinating and full of dramatic twists and turns. According to local legends, the fortress' vaults hid princely treasures during the Swedish invasion, which were never found. Another tale tells of a mysterious tunnel connecting the castle to a nearby monastery, which defenders used to escape during sieges. Although historians approach these stories with caution, they add a mysterious charm to the castle.

The castle served not only a defensive function, but also an administrative one - it was the seat of the Ciechanow castellany and the place where the Mazovian princes held court. After the incorporation of Mazovia into the Crown in 1526, the stronghold lost its importance, and in the 17th century it was severely damaged during the Swedish Deluge. Over the following centuries it fell into disrepair, serving local residents as a source of building material.

It was not until the 20th century that the historic value of the building was recognized and restoration work began. Today the castle is a branch of the Museum of Mazovian Nobility and teems with cultural life. The courtyard hosts knightly tournaments, concerts of early music and historical re-enactments that allow you to travel back in time to the Middle Ages. It's especially worth visiting the castle during the annual Ciechanow Days, when spectacular displays of knightly combat and ancient crafts are held.

The interiors of the castle's towers hide archaeological expositions showcasing finds from the castle grounds and the surrounding area, including weapons, elements of armaments, everyday objects and jewelry. Particularly valuable is a collection of medieval coins and ducal seals. The viewing terrace atop the eastern tower offers a picturesque panorama of the city and the Lydynia River valley.

Interestingly, the castle can be visited as part of the 'Cultural School in Mazovia' program, which allows primary and secondary school students to enjoy preferential ticket prices. For a symbolic zloty, young people can learn about the fascinating history of the region, which is an excellent form of historical education.

The Museum of Mazovian Nobility is a real treasure trove of knowledge about the history and culture of the region. The museum is headquartered in a neo-Gothic building on Warszawska Street, which in itself is a valuable architectural monument. The institution was established in 1976 and since then has consistently collected, developed and made available collections related to the history of Mazovia, with particular emphasis on the culture of the nobility.

The uniqueness of this museum lies in its comprehensive approach to the presentation of the region's cultural heritage. The permanent exhibition 'Masovian Nobility' introduces visitors to the fascinating world of everyday life, customs and material culture of the nobility living in the area from the 16th to 19th centuries. Here you can admire authentic furniture, coffin portraits, elements of noblemen's costumes, parade weapons and historical documents, including rare manuscripts and old prints.

One of the most valuable exhibits is a collection of kontusz belts - luxurious accessories to men's nobleman's attire, which were an indicator of social status and wealth. The museum also has a unique collection of table silver, porcelain and glassware used in noble manors.

Few people know that the museum's collection contains a mysterious document from the 17th century, describing the alleged appearance of a 'fiery dragon' over Ciechanow in 1646. This peculiar record, which is probably a testimony to the observation of an astronomical phenomenon, is a curiosity for lovers of local legends.

The museum also organizes temporary thematic exhibitions, educational workshops and museum lessons, which are very popular with schools from all over the region. As part of the 'Cultural School in Mazovia' program, students can take advantage of the museum's offerings for a symbolic zloty, making historical knowledge more accessible to the younger generation.

Of a completely different nature is the Torus Science Park, which is a modern center for interactive education. Located on Plocka Street, the facility is a place where science becomes a fascinating adventure. The park was opened relatively recently and has quickly gained popularity among both locals and tourists.

Torus offers dozens of interactive demonstration stations, which present the laws of physics, optical, acoustic and mechanical phenomena in an accessible way. Visitors can conduct experiments on their own, observe natural phenomena and learn the secrets of science through play. Especially popular are demonstrations using the Van de Graaff generator, which demonstrates the properties of static electricity, and experiments with non-niutonic liquids.

A unique feature of the park is the planetarium, which hosts astronomy screenings that allow visitors to learn the secrets of the cosmos. Projections on the planetarium dome take viewers on a journey through the solar system, distant galaxies and nebulae, while professional educators explain fascinating astronomical phenomena.

The Torus Science Park also organizes thematic science workshops, during which participants can make simple physical devices on their own, learn the principles of robot programming or explore the secrets of chemistry. The park's educational offer is constantly being developed and adapted to different age groups, which makes the place attractive to both families with children and adult science enthusiasts.

The Maria Konopnicka District Center for Culture and the Arts is an institution with an exceptionally rich history, dating back to the early 20th century. Its origins are linked to the People's House, which was opened in 1907, and its inauguration was honored with a poem by Maria Konopnicka, specially written for the occasion. This historical fact is an extremely valuable part of the city's cultural heritage and is a source of pride for the people of Ciechanow.

After the turmoil of World War II, in 1947, the institution was reborn as an institution affiliated with the Trade Unions, to evolve over time into the modern cultural center we know today. This continuity of cultural tradition, despite historical turmoil, testifies to the strong attachment of Ciechanow residents to the values of culture and art.

Today, the PCKiSz offers an extremely diverse cultural program, covering virtually all fields of art. The intimate cinema hall hosts film screenings, with a particular focus on ambitious art and documentary cinema. For theater lovers, the center regularly organizes theatrical performances, both by established professional groups and talented amateur groups.

One of the lesser-known but extremely valuable aspects of the center's activities is the cultivation of local folk traditions. The handicraft workshops provide an opportunity to learn about the disappearing techniques of making traditional ornaments and household items characteristic of the Mazovian region. Particularly interesting are the workshops of folk paper-cutting, which in Mazovia has its own unique forms and patterns.

The center also conducts rich educational activities in music, dance and visual arts. Dance troupes, choirs and theater groups operating here regularly win awards at nationwide festivals and reviews. Worth mentioning is the 'Ciechanow' Folk Artistic Ensemble, which has been nurturing Mazovian folklore for decades, presenting authentic regional dances, songs and rituals.

The art gallery operating within the center regularly presents exhibitions of works by both recognized artists and talented local artists. Particularly valuable are expositions introducing the work of artists associated with the region, whose achievements are an important part of Mazovia's cultural identity.

An extremely important element of the activity of PCKiSz are cyclical cultural events, which are permanently inscribed in the city calendar. Among them it is worth mentioning the Ciechanow Museum Encounters, the Theater Festival 'DIONIZJE' or the Castle Concerts. These events attract not only local residents, but also tourists from all over the region, providing an excellent opportunity to get to know the cultural face of the city.

An interesting fact is that the center's archives contain unique recordings of local storytellers and folk musicians from the 1960s and 1970s, which are an invaluable source of knowledge about the region's intangible cultural heritage. These archives are gradually being digitized and made available to folklore researchers and all interested parties.

The Maria Konopnicka District Center for Culture and the Arts is the perfect culmination of a cultural journey through Ciechanow. After visiting the historic castle, learning about the traditions of the nobility in the museum and scientific experiments in the Torus Park, it is worth immersing yourself in the lively contemporary culture, the center of which is this very institution. The rich program of events means that every weekend in Ciechanow can be full of inspiring cultural experiences, combining respect for tradition with openness to new forms of artistic expression.