The Old Town Bridge connecting Zgorzelec and Görlitz is not only a crossing of the Lusatian Neisse River, but a true symbol of Polish-German cooperation and the shared history of the two cities. This stone bridge, rebuilt after war damage, is the most picturesque border crossing in the region. Walking across it, you can enjoy a panoramic view of both cities and feel like you're taking part in a living history lesson of European borders. Interestingly, the bridge is part of the former Via Regia trade route, which for centuries connected east and west Europe, contributing to the economic development of the entire region.

Crossing the bridge from the Polish side, tourists can enjoy the beautiful panorama of German Görlitz with its medieval buildings, which miraculously survived the turmoil of World War II. Going in the opposite direction, on the other hand, there is a view of the Zgorzelec waterfront with its characteristic buildings. The bridge is particularly charming at sunset, when the last rays are reflected in the waters of the Neisse River, creating a magical borderland atmosphere.

Not far from the bridge, on the Polish side, is the Lusatian Museum at 15 Daszyńskiego Street, which is a real treasure trove of knowledge about the region's history. The museum focuses on presenting the history of Eastern Upper Lusatia, including Zgorzelec itself and its surroundings. Particularly interesting are the expositions devoted to the everyday life of the residents in the 18th and 19th centuries, which allow you to travel back in time and understand what life was like in the area centuries ago.

The Lusatian Museum, although small, surprises with the richness of its collections and its professional approach to presenting the history of the region. Among the exhibits you can find everyday objects, tools, folk costumes and historical documents. Particularly noteworthy is an exhibition devoted to the multiculturalism of Zgorzelec, including the significant Greek community that settled here after 1948. Some 10,000 Greek refugees, mostly Communist partisans from the Greek Civil War, found a new home in Zgorzelec, enriching the city's cultural mosaic.

The museum also holds temporary thematic exhibitions and educational workshops for children and young adults, making it an attractive destination for families with children. Ticket prices are affordable, making it an economical option for those interested in the region's history. Military history buffs will find interesting the exhibit on the Stalag VIII A prisoner of war camp, which operated in Zgorzelec during World War II. It was there that French composer Olivier Messiaen composed his famous work 'Quartet for the End of Time'.

The City Cultural Center in Zgorzelec, located at 1 Parkowa Street, is one of the city's most important cultural centers, which impresses not only with its wide range of events, but also with its impressive architecture. The building, formerly known as the Upper Lusatian Memorial Hall, has served as a cultural center since 1948. This monumental building, with its distinctive dome and columns, is one of the most recognizable structures in the city and is a fine example of early 20th century architecture.

The House of Culture is a lively place all year round. It hosts concerts, theatrical performances, art exhibitions and workshops for children and adults. Particularly noteworthy is the International Festival of Greek Song, held since 1999, which attracts artists and audiences from all over Europe, providing a living testimony to the city's multicultural character. This festival is a direct reference to the history of Zgorzelec's Greek community, which played a key role in the construction of the Orthodox Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in 2002.

The interior of the House of Culture impresses with spacious halls with preserved elements of the original decor. The main concert hall offers excellent acoustics, making it an ideal venue for musical events. The building also houses the former Emperor Frederick Museum, which displays exhibits related to the history of the region. Ticket prices for cultural events vary, but are generally affordable, making culture accessible to a wide audience.

Right next to the House of Culture, at 3 Parkowa Street, stretches the picturesque Andrzej Blachaniec Park, which is the green lungs of the city and a favorite place for locals and tourists to relax. The park was established in the 19th century and still retains its historic spatial layout with winding alleys, old trees and charming corners. It is an ideal place for a relaxing stroll after a busy city tour or for a picnic in the shade of centuries-old trees.

Andrzej Blachaniec Park is distinguished by its rich vegetation, including many species of trees that create picturesque compositions throughout the year. In spring the park blooms with the colors of flowers, in summer it offers shade and coolness, in autumn it delights with the golden colors of the leaves, and in winter it creates a fairy-tale, snow-covered landscape. The park also features landscaping elements, such as fountains, benches and gazebos, which add to its charm and functionality.

For active visitors, the park offers walking and biking paths, as well as outdoor exercise areas. Families with children will appreciate the modern playground, where the youngest can spend time playing safely. The park is also a venue for outdoor cultural events, concerts and festivals, especially during the summer season.

Both the Municipal Cultural Center and the Andrzej Blachaniec Park are functionally interconnected, creating the cultural and recreational center of Zgorzelec. Their proximity makes it easy to combine participation in cultural events with relaxation in nature. What's more, both sites are within walking distance of the Old Town Bridge, making them easily accessible to both Polish and German visitors.

As you cross the border over the Old Town Bridge and head deeper into German Görlitz, you should plan a visit to the charming Tierpark Görlitz, located at Zittauer Straße 43. This small but extremely charming zoo is the perfect addition to a weekend stay in Zgorzelec, especially for families with children. Founded in 1957, the park covers an area of about 5 hectares and is home to more than 500 animals representing around 100 species, mostly from Europe and Asia.

Tierpark Görlitz stands out from other zoos for its intimate character and beautiful park-like layout. The animals live in carefully designed enclosures that mimic their natural habitat as much as possible. Rare species such as red pandas, which have become the garden's symbol, as well as various species of monkeys, wolves and lynx, are a special attraction. The park specializes in breeding endangered animal species, participating in international biodiversity conservation programs.

A special attraction for the youngest visitors is the mini-zoo, where children can observe and feed farm animals such as goats, sheep and rabbits up close. This interactive part of the park allows direct contact with the animals under the supervision of caregivers, which is not only great fun, but also a valuable lesson in nature. Ticket prices for Tierpark are moderate, and favorable family tickets are available for families, making the place affordable for different groups of visitors.

Tierpark Görlitz is not only an animal exhibit, but also a beautiful park with rich vegetation, ponds and resting places. Old trees provide shade on hot days, and numerous benches and picnic areas invite visitors to relax. The park also has a restaurant and cafe, where visitors can relax and enjoy a meal while exploring. For children, there are playgrounds with attractions inspired by the animal world.

It is worth noting that Tierpark Görlitz is committed to environmental education, offering special programs for schools and organized groups. There are also regular thematic events, such as days of specific animal species, night tours and nature photography workshops. The park is open year-round, although opening hours vary depending on the season.

When visiting Tierpark Görlitz, you can combine the pleasure of communing with nature with a visit to Görlitz itself, which is considered one of Germany's most beautiful cities. Its perfectly preserved old town with more than 4,000 architectural monuments representing a variety of styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau provides the perfect backdrop for a stroll. Many of these buildings have served as movie sets for Hollywood productions, including Wes Anderson's Oscar-winning 'Grand Budapest Hotel'.

Combining a tour of Zgorzelec and Görlitz, including a visit to the Tierpark, provides a unique opportunity to experience two cultures in one weekend. This cross-border tour allows visitors to compare Polish and German approaches to preserving cultural and natural heritage, and to discover how history has separated and modernity has reunited the two cities into a single urban organism. Although located on the German side of the border, Görlitz's Tierpark is equally popular with Polish tourists, providing a vivid example of European integration at the local level.