Żory combines a historic urban layout that has survived to this day with museums, cultural venues and a wide range of leisure activities. You can choose different focuses when planning your trip: from the city’s history and exhibitions to parks, water activities and leisure attractions.
City history in streets and buildings
Żory’s historic urban layout dates from the late 13th and early 14th centuries and has survived to this day. Individual streets also tell the story of the city’s development: ul. Murarska is lined with historic, single-storey townhouses dating from the early 19th century. The street was laid out on the foundations of demolished defensive walls. You can see a restored section of the medieval city fortifications at ul. Ogrodowa and ul. Bramkowa.
Construction of the Church of Saints Philip and James began towards the end of the 14th century. In the central part of the city, there is also a bronze bench sculpture depicting Żory painter and professor Fritz August Bimler. It was created at the workshop of sculptor Tomasz Wenklar from Tychy. The city’s historical points of interest thus range from its preserved urban layout to individual buildings and a sculpture commemorating a figure from Żory.
A regular date in the annual calendar is Święto Ogniowe. It is celebrated every year on 11 May in memory of the great fire of 11 May 1702. If you want to plan your trip around a specific cultural event, you can take this date into account.
Museums and the park at the palace
Muze.ON – Polskie Poznawanie Świata – Żory displays objects relating to the history of the city and region, as well as to non-European cultures. Its exhibition themes therefore range from local history to cultures from other parts of the world. Muzeum Ognia focuses on fire: the exhibition includes a film, a task involving virtually lighting a fire, various experiments, and activities and questions for visitors.
The restored Pałac w Baranowicach dates from the 17th century. The palace park is laid out in the English style and features numerous old trees and natural monuments. A visit to this area combines a look at the historic building with a park whose design and natural features are attractions in their own right.
Parks, leisure and water
The TWINPIGS amusement park covers more than 10 hectares and comprises eight themed areas inspired by the history and culture of America. Another kind of attraction is the “Żorzanka” carousel in the market square: it has 34 figures and can accommodate more than 70 people per ride.
The parks also offer different activities. Centrally located Park Cegielnia has, among other things, a playground with a rope course, a skate park, a roller-skating rink and a traffic garden where you can practise cycling. Park Staromiejski on ul. Rybnicka has an ecological playground for children and hammocks for relaxing. Together, they offer a choice of active pursuits and quieter breaks.
Open year-round, Aquarion offers a current channel, a whirlpool, a wave cave and a climbing wall in the water in its leisure pool. The Śmieszek bathing area has two sandy beaches. In summer, kayaks, pedal boats and SUP boards can be hired there. The difference between the facilities is useful for planning: Aquarion operates year-round, while boat hire at Śmieszek is specifically available in summer. Święto Ogniowe, in turn, takes place annually on 11 May.
You can explore Żory according to your interests, with a focus on culture or leisure. The city’s history can be seen in its streets, fortifications and buildings; the museums offer their own thematic highlights. Parks, leisure attractions and water activities add other ways to spend your time. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore start by considering which of these themes you want to shape your stay.
For the broader travel overview: Sohrau.
