Krosno offers two distinct perspectives for a culture-focused stay: the history of glass and craftsmanship, and the architectural history around the Rynek and the churches. Collections and historic features sit alongside a practical opportunity to learn about glassmaking. One distinction is important when planning your visit: the Centrum Dziedzictwa Szkła offers a hands-on activity described here; the Muzeum Rzemiosła is closed until further notice.
Glass and craftsmanship in Krosno
At the Centrum Dziedzictwa Szkła, you can experience glassmaking at close quarters, hold a glassblower’s pipe and try blowing a glass vessel such as a vase. The centre presents the manufacturing process in a modern way and documents Krosno’s diverse connections with the glass industry. Check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.
The exhibition “Historia oświetlenia” at the Muzeum Podkarpackie in Krosno offers a different perspective on light. It features a significant collection of oil lamps from various European and international manufacturing centres, as well as other light sources. Its chronological scope ranges from ancient oil lamps to electric lamps from the first half of the 20th century. In Krosno, both glassmaking and the history of different light sources are cultural themes to explore.
The permanent exhibition “Dzieje rzemiosła Polski południowo-wschodniej” at the Muzeum Rzemiosła includes craft documents from the 18th to the 20th century, as well as everyday objects and tools from the 19th and 20th centuries. Its particular focus is Krosno and the surrounding area. The museum is closed until further notice, so do not plan to visit the exhibition as though it were currently open to the public.
Rynek, townhouses and churches
The Rynek is surrounded by historic townhouses from different periods and is distinguished by its Renaissance arcades. Today, the square is a place for walks and open-air events. At Rynek 7 stands the Wójtowska townhouse, built in the 15th century and considered the oldest townhouse in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship. The Makieta Krosna offers another view of the old town: this educational model is located on the fountain in the centre of the historic old town.
The churches, too, can be distinguished by their recorded architectural and artistic history. The Franciscan Church is the oldest church in the city; its oldest structural elements date from the late 13th century. The Chapel of the Transfiguration of Christ contains fragments of wall paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries. In the parish church of the Holy Trinity, a Gothic Crucifixion group dating from around 1420 can be seen on the monumental chancel arch.
Monuments and other regional routes
Some monuments reflect themes of lighting and urban history. The monument to Ignacy Łukasiewicz commemorates the inventor of a prototype petroleum lamp. The Portius Monument is a bronze work based on a design by Kamil Słowik; it is more than 2.5 metres tall and weighs about 300 kilograms. Around 200 matzevot, with relief symbols and Hebrew inscriptions, have been preserved in the Jewish cemetery.
In the wider Krośnieński destination, other described routes pass through a variety of landscapes and cultural areas. The black-marked route from Kamieniec to Czarny Dział leads from the ruins of Kamieniec Castle through the Prządki Nature Reserve to Czarny Dział, with the Kiczary Hills rising to about 500 metres. The Krosno–Brzozów and Sanok–Dukla routes of the Wooden Architecture Trail pass through Krośnieński County. At the start of the green-marked Krosno–Strzyżów route, there are views of Odrzykoń Castle. These regional route descriptions complement the city’s themes without conflating them with individual places in Krosno.
Discover more destinations: Korczyna, Odrzykoń, Wisłoczek, Wrocanka, Dukla, Jedlicze, Węglówka, Trzciana.
For the wider travel overview: Krośnieński.
