From the steep bank of Wzgórze Tumskie, you can look out over the broad expanse of the Vistula. Płock also offers a range of attractions, including its cathedral, museums and Zalew Sobótka. This gives you concrete points of reference to decide whether culture, walking trails or activities by the water should shape your stay.

Wzgórze Tumskie and the Cathedral

Wzgórze Tumskie is a 53-metre-high steep escarpment in Płock. From the steep bank, you can see the Vistula stretching into the distance. The walking paths on the hill form a route of about five kilometres, from the zoo to the park behind Dom Technika. The approximate length and the two endpoints help you gauge this route as a walk in its own right.

Płock Cathedral was consecrated in 1144 as a Romanesque, three-aisled basilica built of granite blocks. “Three-aisled” describes the layout of the church interior; the granite blocks identify the building material. The bronze doors feature 26 panels depicting scenes from the lives of Jesus and the Apostles. The cathedral thus brings together two distinct historical details: its architectural form and its imagery.

Art and Jewish History

The Muzeum Mazowieckie is housed in a Secession-style apartment building on Tumska Street. It displays a large art collection featuring works from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as a steadily growing Art Deco collection dating from the early 20th century. The two collections offer different insights into the art of this period.

The former synagogue building of the Muzeum Mazowieckie is devoted to Jewish culture, the Holocaust, and the history of the Jewish people of Płock and Masovia. The Muzeum Żydów Mazowieckich is located in one of the two synagogues that once stood in Płock. Its permanent exhibition includes an area devoted to the Holocaust and presents selected aspects of Jewish culture in Poland: food, music, holidays and customs. It also features objects related to Jewish architecture in Masovia. A multimedia presentation complements the exhibition and is shown in the windows of the main hall of the Small Synagogue.

Zalew Sobótka: Lake, Paths and Competitions

Zalew Sobótka is a former oxbow of the Vistula and is now a small lake with clear water and a sandy beach in central Płock. Kayaks and pedal boats are available for hire at the beach. As operators and availability may change, check locally before your trip. Cycling and walking paths run around the lake, so you can explore the shore on foot or by bike.

Sprint rowing competitions are held at Zalew Sobótka every year; dates may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around a competition, check the exact dates. The beach, paths and rowing offer different reasons to spend time by the lake.

Płock Zoo

Płock Zoo opened in 1951 and initially displayed only native animal species. A few years later, the collection was expanded to include exotic animals. The zoo’s history therefore includes a change in the focus of its exhibits.

The “Wody Świata” aquarium exhibition opened in December 2016 and comprises 23 tanks, each with a capacity of 500 to 40,000 litres. In the tropical jungle, birds, reptiles and insects native to tropical forests live among exotic plants. The aquariums and tropical plant life thus represent two different exhibition themes. As exhibition details may change, check what is currently on display before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Cekanowo, Wola Łącka, Koszelówka, Dobrzyków, Rydzyna, Wyszogród, Grabina, Cierszewo.

Return to the main travel overview: Płock.