Unobvious Attractions of Cieszyn: Discover the City on Your Own

Unobvious Attractions of Cieszyn: Discover the City on Your Own

April 11, 2025

Cieszyn, picturesquely located on the Polish-Czech border, is a city that hides many fascinating secrets and unobvious attractions. It is a place where history intertwines with the present, creating a unique experience for each visitor. Although known for its Castle Hill or Market Square, Cieszyn has much more to offer than it might seem at first glance. In this article, we will take you on a journey through the lesser-known, but equally fascinating corners of this Silesian city. Together we will discover the charming streets of the Venice of Cieszyn, learn the secrets of ancient craftsmanship at the Museum of Printing and climb the Piast Tower for a panoramic view of the city. Whether you're a lover of history, architecture, or just looking for a quiet place for a weekend getaway, Cieszyn is sure to surprise and delight you. Get ready to explore the city on your own - you're in for an adventure full of surprises!

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Castle Hill - the heart of historic Cieszyn

Let's start our journey from Castle Hill, which, although well-known, hides many non-obvious attractions. This is the place where the history of Cieszyn beats the strongest. Castle Hill (address: 43-400 Cieszyn, Poland) is not only a popular tourist attraction, but above all a witness to the turbulent history of the city. To get there, the best way is to start walking from the Market Square, heading down Zamkowa Street - it's only a 10-minute walk.

At the top of the hill awaits a real treat for architecture lovers - the St. Nicholas Rotunda. This Romanesque gem, dating back to the 11th century, is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Poland. Interestingly, we can see its image on a 20-zloty banknote! Admission to the rotunda is paid (about 10 PLN), but it is worth the investment to see its interior and learn about its fascinating history.

Right next to the rotunda rises the majestic Piast Tower. It's the perfect place to enjoy a panoramic view of Cieszyn and the surrounding area. Entrance to the tower costs about 12 PLN (as of 2023), but the view you get from it is priceless. Keep in mind, however, that the stairs are quite steep, so people with mobility problems should exercise caution.

After the tour, take a break in the Peace Park, which extends up the slopes of the hill. It's the perfect place for a picnic or a relaxing walk among the greenery. The park is available free of charge all year round and offers shade on hot days.

For families with children, we recommend the 'Traces of Cieszyn's Piasts' route - a great opportunity to learn about the city's history in an interactive way. The route is marked and available free of charge, and takes about 1.5 hours to complete.

Castle Hill is open to the public every day, but the opening hours of individual sites may vary. It is advisable to check the Cieszyn Castle website (www.zamekcieszyn.pl) for up-to-date information before visiting.

After visiting Castle Hill, we can go to the nearby Museum of Cieszyn Silesia (address: Tadeusza Regera 6, 43-400 Cieszyn). It's a place where the region's history comes to life through fascinating exhibits and interactive displays. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and an admission ticket costs about 15 PLN (as of 2023).

Castle Hill is not only a tourist attraction, but also a place where you can feel the spirit of history and understand why Cieszyn is such a unique city.

Venice of Cieszyn - a charming corner on the Młynówka River

The next point of our trip is the Cieszyn Venice - a place that many tourists skip, but which is a real gem of Cieszyn. This charming corner is located in the heart of the city, on Przykopa Street (address: Przykopa, 43-400 Cieszyn, Poland). The easiest way to get there on foot is from the Market Square, heading towards Głębokia Street and then turning right into Przykopa Street - it's only a 5-minute walk.

Cieszyn Venice is a picturesque street located along the Mlynowka Canal, which with its atmosphere resembles the famous Italian city on water. Characteristic of this place are the colorful, low craftsman houses, which are reflected in the water of the canal, creating an unusual, romantic atmosphere. This is the perfect place for a photo session or just a romantic walk for two.

The architecture of the buildings is worth noting - some of them date back as far as the 18th century and are testimony to the rich history of craftsmanship in Cieszyn. Although some of the buildings are in need of restoration, it is this raw, authentic character that gives the place its unique charm.

For lovers of history and architecture, we recommend a visit to the souvenir store, which is located in one of the oldest houses on Przykopa Street, dating back to 1790. There you can not only buy unique souvenirs, but also learn more about the history of the place.

The Venice of Cieszyn is available to visit all year round, 24 hours a day, free of charge. However, it is worth remembering that it is a residential place, so be sure to keep it quiet and respect the privacy of the residents.

For families with children, we suggest playing 'treasure hunters' - You can search together for hidden architectural details or traces of ancient crafts. This is a great opportunity to combine learning history with fun.

After a stroll through Cieszyn's Venice, head to the nearby Cieszyn Market Square (address: Market Square, 43-400 Cieszyn, Poland). This is the heart of the city, where you can relax in one of the many cafes or restaurants, admiring the beauty of the Renaissance and Baroque townhouses. The market is also a place where various cultural events and festivals are often held.

Cieszyn Venice is a place that shows that Cieszyn is not only well-known monuments, but also charming, less obvious corners, which can delight with their unique atmosphere. This is the perfect place for those who want to discover a more intimate face of the city and feel its true spirit.

Printing Museum - a journey in time to the world of black art

The last, but equally fascinating point of our journey through the non-obvious attractions of Cieszyn is the Museum of Printing. This is a place that takes us back in time to an era when the printed word was a real treasure. The museum is located at 50 Głęboka Street (address: Głęboka 50, 43-400 Cieszyn, Poland), in the heart of the old town. You can get there on foot from the Market Square in just 5 minutes.

The Museum of Printing is not just an exhibition of old printing machines, but a real trip back in time. Visitors have the opportunity to see what the process of printing books and newspapers looked like from the 15th century to modern times. What's more, all the exhibits are in working order and during the tour you can see them in action!

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, with guided tours at full hours. The entrance ticket costs about 15 PLN for an adult (as of 2023), but it is worth the investment, as the guides are a real treasure trove of knowledge and interesting facts.

For families with children, the museum offers special workshops, during which the youngest can try their hand at the art of calligraphy or print a souvenir postcard with their own hands. This is a great opportunity to learn about the history of printing and develop creativity in a practical way.

Interestingly, the museum is fully adapted for people with mobility impairments - it has an elevator and wide passages between exhibits.

After visiting the museum, it's worth checking out the nearby 'Laja' café (located in the same building), where you can enjoy delicious coffee and local baked goods.

For history and culture lovers, we recommend combining a visit to the Museum of Printing with a visit to the Cieszyn Bookstore (address: 46 Mennicza St., 43-400 Cieszyn), which is only a 10-minute walk from the museum. This is one of the oldest and richest libraries in Poland, where you can see unique old prints and manuscripts.

The Printing Museum is a place that shows that history can be fascinating and interactive. It's ideal for both technology lovers and those who want to better understand how the development of printing affected our civilization.

To sum up our tour of Cieszyn's non-obvious attractions, it's worth noting that the city has much more to offer than it might seem at first glance. From the majestic Castle Hill, to the charming Cieszyn Venice, to the fascinating Museum of Printing - each of these places shows a different face of the city and allows you to better understand its rich history and culture. Cieszyn is a city worth exploring slowly, savoring its atmosphere and discovering its hidden treasures. Whether you are a lover of history, architecture, or just looking for an interesting place to spend a weekend, Cieszyn will certainly not disappoint you. Feel free to explore this fascinating city on your own!

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