Międzyrzecz offers a clear reason for a cultural and historical discovery: its museum combines a wide-ranging collection with a royal castle building. Marked hiking, cycling, and canoe routes also pass through the town. This means museum interests and outdoor activities can be considered as different focuses for a trip.

Museum between the Obra and Paklica

The Muzeum Ziemi Międzyrzeckiej im. Alfa Kowalskiego is located in a park of nearly six hectares between the Obra and Paklica rivers. The museum contains more than 18,000 objects spanning art, history, ethnography, archaeology, numismatics, military history, and poster art. The collection thus ranges from art and material history to archaeology, monetary history, the military, and poster design.

A particularly distinctive collection comprises 220 objects, including Poland’s largest collection of coffin portraits, as well as inscription and heraldic plaques from the 17th and 18th centuries. Portraits, inscriptions, and coats of arms form a distinct focus within the diverse collection areas.

Castle history and historic buildings

A brick royal castle building stands on the grounds of the museum complex. Casimir the Great had it built in the first half of the 14th century; it is the only royal castle building in the Lubusz Voivodeship. Visitors can explore the ruins of the castle from the time of Casimir the Great. This connects the castle’s history with a specific, accessible part of the visit.

The museum complex also includes the buildings of the former seat of the starosts of Międzyrzecz, an outbuilding of the manor, a manor inn, and the gatehouse. The complex therefore includes various historic buildings in addition to the castle building.

Another cultural and historical stop in the town is the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist. Its presbytery preserves wall polychromes depicting the Crucifixion of Christ.

Hiking, cycling, and paddling

A black-marked hiking route passes through Międzyrzecz along the 19.38-kilometre Kursko–Międzyrzecz–Kuligowo section. Check the local trail markings before setting out. The international R–1 cycling route also passes through the town: the described section between Pieski and Bobowicko is 24.2 kilometres long. It is advisable to check the local signs before cycling.

For paddling, the marked “Międzyrzeckie Wody” canoe trail is another option. It is 58.0 kilometres long and passes through Międzyrzecz. As its course may change, check the current route before setting out. The three routes offer different ways to focus a stay on hiking, cycling, or canoeing.

A regional perspective on Międzyrzecki

In the wider Międzyrzecki destination, Pszczew Landscape Park extends across the municipalities of Międzyrzecz, Przytoczna, Pszczew, and Trzciel. This regional perspective should be distinguished from the sights in the town. The park’s forests have numerous cycling and hiking trails. Its clean waters are suitable for recreation and water sports; canoe trips are organized on the Obra. Those who want to include nature and water activities alongside the town’s history will find further options in the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Rokitno, Kęszyca, Murzynowo, Skwierzyna, Porabka, Chycina, Nowa Niedrzwica, Pszczew.

For the wider travel overview: Międzyrzecki.