In Tarnów, the city’s history is not found only in grand facades: the Szlak Maszkaronów (Maszkaron Trail) connects 20 maszkaron figures, each about 30 centimetres tall, at important sites around the city. The route was created in spring 2024. Together with the Renaissance-influenced Old Town, it offers a view of Tarnów that takes in small details as well as striking historic buildings.

Architecture and Historic Traces

The market square is lined mostly with two-storey townhouses featuring a range of architectural styles. Near the market square stands the wooden church of Matki Bożej Szkaplerznej, consecrated in 1440. The cathedral basilica houses Renaissance tombs of the Tarnowski family and a Mannerist tomb of the Ostrogski family.

Another trace of the city’s history is preserved in the Bima: it is the only surviving fragment of Tarnów’s oldest synagogue, dating from the 17th century. Cultural events are held here every year. The Stary Cmentarz in Zabłocie, also known as the Zabłocki Cemetery, has existed for more than 200 years and was added to the register of historic monuments in 1957. The buildings, cemetery and Bima offer different historical perspectives that can be explored side by side around the city.

Museums and Exhibitions

Founded in 1888, the Diocesan Museum is considered Poland’s oldest church museum. The Ethnographic Museum’s permanent exhibition presents the history and culture of the Roma people. The Panorama Gallery in the main railway station displays fragments of the panorama held by the museum. Together, these offer distinct perspectives on the history of institutional collections, culture and individual fragments of artwork.

The Discovery Passage (Pasaż Odkryć) is housed in a restored townhouse at Rynek 4. Its permanent exhibition features interactive stations and an exploration guided by an expert. This offers a different way to engage with exhibitions than viewing historic tombs or collection items: here, participation and expert-guided exploration shape the exhibition.

Green Spaces and Routes

Strzelecki Park is laid out as an English-style garden, with an irregular design and a pond. In the pond stands the mausoleum of General J. Bem: a sarcophagus on six columns with Corinthian capitals. The park thus combines landscaped green space with a precisely described structure. The “Debrza” nature reserve includes a 9.5-hectare partial forest reserve within the city of Tarnów, protecting a lime and oak forest that has undergone relatively little change.

Cycling and hiking routes also provide a different way to explore the area. EuroVelo 4 (EV4, VeloMetropolis) passes through Tarnów. The 92-kilometre section runs from Wola Batorska through Tarnów to Jodłówka Wałki. A blue hiking trail passes through the Skamieniałe Miasto nature reserve. The area, with its bizarre rock formations, can be visited year-round, preferably at a time arranged in advance.

Wine and Regional Cuisine

Tarnów is considered the heart of the enoTARNOWSKIE region, where wine and local cuisine invite visitors to discover the culture, traditions and people. The region holds the title of Polish Tourism Brand. Regular regional events celebrating food and wine include Wielkie Tarnowskie Dionizje, held in Tarnów.

In the wider region, visitors can explore enoTARNOWSKIE’s family-run wineries. Guests can taste wines directly from the producers, learn about their history and see how wine is made. This adds insights into wineries and winemaking to the city’s offerings of cuisine and wine.

Planning a Visit with Current Conditions in Mind

Muzeum Zamek w Dębnie has been closed to visitors since 1 December 2025 for a comprehensive modernisation. If you are considering including it in your travel plans, take this closure into account. For a visit to the Skamieniałe Miasto nature reserve, it is also advisable to arrange a time in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ciezkowice, Rychwald, Tarnów, Milówka, Siedliska, Tuchów, Świebodzin, Ryglice, Janowice, Zgłobice, Zakliczyn, Skrzyszów, Ładna, Wierzchosławice, Pleśna, Komorów, Wola Radłowska, Rzuchowa, Wola Rzędzińska, Wał-Ruda, Zabawa, Zbylitowska Góra, Jamna, Ołpiny, Wojnicz, Paleśnica, Meszna Opacka.

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