Zgorzelec’s history can be explored through a range of places and topics: the historically developed Przedmieście Nyskie, a cultural center with a commemorative plaque, and memorial sites connected with Stalag VIII A. Other points of interest include the connection to the old town of German Görlitz, a section of the Way of St. James, and a regular parkrun. These highlights make Zgorzelec a destination for travelers who want to bring together city history, remembrance culture, and specific cultural connections.
Przedmieście Nyskie and its stories
Przedmieście Nyskie is the oldest historically developed part of Zgorzelec. The Muzeum Łużyckie is located there, among historic tenement houses on the Nysa Łużycka River. Its exhibitions explore the city, its history, and the culture of Upper Lusatia. The museum thus offers an introduction to topics concerning both Zgorzelec itself and the region’s cultural history.
Another distinctive work of art is the colorful ceramic WAZE bas-relief. It was installed in 1998 on the wall of the concrete elevator next to the former three-wheel mill. Its material, relief, and precise location make the work a distinct point of interest for exploring the city. It differs from the museum exhibitions: here, history is encountered in the form of an artwork on a building associated with a former mill.
A historical figure is also connected with a house in Zgorzelec: the Domu Jakuba Böhme is associated with Jakub Böhme (1575–1624), a mystic and Protestant theologian of the 17th century. Those interested in intellectual history will find a biographical connection here, alongside the exhibitions on the city and Upper Lusatia. This allows the different topics to be considered separately, without reducing them to a single story about Zgorzelec.
Cultural center and historical remembrance
The building that now houses the Miejski Dom Kultury was formerly known as the Górnołużycka Hala Pamięci. It was built between 1898 and 1902. A plaque on one of its front walls commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Zgorzelec on July 6, 1950. The treaty established the border along the Oder and Neisse rivers. The building, its former name, and the plaque thus point to different historical connections at this cultural venue.
The history of Stalag VIII A is also connected with memorial sites in Zgorzelec. At the former camp site on Łużycka Street, at the southern edge of the city, a stone obelisk stands with a relief and commemorative plaque. After the war, the Stalag VIII A cemetery site became a national memorial. These facts give the subject its own focus alongside the city’s artistic and cultural venues.
Connections across the Nysa Łużycka
The Most Staromiejski connects the banks of the Nysa Łużycka and leads directly to the old town of German Görlitz. It is a specific point of reference if you would also like to consider Zgorzelec in relation to this old town. The city also lies on the Polish section of the Way of St. James, which leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The bridge and pilgrimage route offer two different perspectives: a connection to a neighboring old town and a link to a long-distance pilgrimage route.
A regular event in Park Nadnyski
Another way to add a particular focus to your stay is the parkrun in Park Nadnyski. This free 5-kilometer event takes place every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in Zgorzelec and is open to all ages, fitness levels, and running speeds. The parkrun launched on September 7, 2026. If your stay includes a Saturday, you can take the event into account when planning your day and check the details before your visit.
This gives you a clear range of options when choosing a destination: Zgorzelec combines city and cultural history with a distinct connection to remembrance, the Way of St. James, and a regular sporting event. Depending on which of these aspects is most important to your trip, you can plan your stay accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Jędrzychowice, Sławnikowice, Bogatynia, Trójca, Pieńsk, Dłużyna Dolna, Bierna, Ruszów.
For the wider travel overview: Zgorzelecki.
