Important: The license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0 has been approved.
Please consider all contributions from this point forward to be made under that license.

Lublin

From Wikitravel

Jump to: navigation, search
Panorama of Lublin in 1618
Panorama of Lublin in 1618

Lublin is a city in eastern Poland. and the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 355,954 (2004). In the middle ages Lublin played important role in the life of the Polish state as a trade center and as a city with military significance.

[edit] Understand

[edit] In brief

The city of Lublin was first mentioned in 13th century. It reached its peak in 16th century, when - due to its central location between Cracow (capital of Poland) and Vilinus (capital of Lithuania) - it was chosen as the place, where the Union of Lublin was signed. Due to its location, at an intersection of roads leading to Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia, the city was always a melting pot of different cultures - an important center of Judaism as well as of the Christian reformation movement. From 17th century onwards, together with the rest of the country, it suffered a gradual decline. During World War II the Jewish and Polish populations suffered heavy losses, a Nazi concentration camp (Majdanek) was located here. After the war, the city developed to be an important university site, with 6 state universities and a number of smaller ones.

[edit] Some interesting facts:

  • Due to the union with Lithuania, in the 16th century Lublin was located 200 km from the western border. Now, it is located in eastern Poland, 120 km from the eastern border, without actually moving an inch.
  • Two important Polish-Lithuanian institutions were located in Lublin since 16th century: the Crown Tribunal (acting as the Supreme Court for easter and southern Poland) and the Jewish Va'ad Arba' Aratzot (The Council of Four Lands).
  • Lublin and its vicinity developed its unique version of the Renaissance, called the Lublin Renaissance.
  • Lublin was the capital of Poland twice, every time just for a few months: first in 1918, at the end of the World War I and then in 1944, at the end of the World War II.
  • The Jewish population of Lublin in 1939 was 42,380 (1/3 of the total city population); in 1945 was it 4,553; in 2007 - 20.
  • Every year there are ca. 100,000 students coming to Lublin to study, which accounts to 28% of the regular city population.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

You can either fly in to Warsaw or to Rzeszow. From there, you need to take a train or a bus to come to Lublin. Warsaw is more advisable, since it has more connections to Lublin.

[edit] By train

The Polish State Railways [1] have services from Warsaw and other major Polish cities (Wrocław, Kraków, Poznań, Łódź and Gdańsk). There aren't any fast InterCity connections provided to Lublin, but the train journey from Warsaw takes only 2.5 hours.

  • Buses to the city center:  1   to the Cracow Gate, 1, 34 to the Castle, 13 to the Lithuanian Sq.; trolleybus to the city center:  150   to the Saxonian Garden.

[edit] By car

You can easily get there by car:

  • from Warsaw national road  17 , E372 : Warsaw - Otwock - Garwolin - Ryki - Lublin
  • from Rzeszow national road  19 : Rzeszow - Nisko - Janow Lubelski - Krasnik - Lublin
  • from Kielce national road 74,  19 : Kielce - Opatow - Ozarow - Annopol - Krasnik - Lublin

Lublin, like other Polish cities, doesn't have a ring road, so to transit the city you must use Trasa W-Z Route: Warsaw  17 , E372  - aleja Warszawska - aleja Solidraności - aleja Tysiąclecia - aleja Witosa - Lviv (UA). There's is also south-north route: Svidnik (SK)  E371  - Rzeszow  19  - aleja Kraśnicka - Sikorskiego - aleja Solidarności - aleja Smorawińskiego - aleja Spółdzielczości Pracy - Bialystok - Hrodna (BY)

[edit] By bus

Many international connections - from the Main Bus Terminal (Dworzec Autobusowy Główny) with Birmingham, Bradford, Bremen, Cologne, Flensburg, Freiburg, Geneva, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, London, Lviv, Lutsk, Mannheim, Paris, Rotterdam, Rome, Stuttgart, Venice, Vilnius and Zurich. Southern Bus Terminal(Dworzec Autobusowy Południe) is located right across the square from the Main Train Station. It is dedicated to regional lines.

  • The Main Bus Terminal is situated at the northernmost edge of the Old Town, just next to the castle. If you want to travel to other parts of the city center: to Lithuanian Sq. and Saxonian Garden take lines  5 , 10 , 18 , 31 , 57  (from the bus stop #2, at the main street just outside the terminal building); to Cracow Gate take lines 1, 2, 6, 11, 17, 22, 23 (from the bus stop #4, at the same side of the street than bus stop #2, but a bit farther left)
  • If you plan a longer stay, you may find this public transport map useful [2].
  • See also: Poland - By bus

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus or trolleybus

In the city center or the Old Town you can easily reach every worthseeing place by foot. You can also use the public transport. It's worth to try trolleybus journey, especially tourist route  156   from Majdanek Nazi Camp, near Old Town and Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva. The city has 50 bus lines and 8 troleybus lines (served by MPK). There's also commercial city transport (buses with Komunikacja prywatna or AKL signs).

To use public transport [3] you should buy tickets in "kiosk" - such "kiosks" are situated near bus stops. There is price system for MPK tickets: one ride ticket costs 2.00zł; student with ISIC identification pay 1.00zł for one ride. In commercial city transport (AKL) you're paying for the ticket in the bus (1.50zł and 1.00zł - student with ISIC identification). Children under 4 can use public transport for free. Timetable for both can be found on their website.

  • Routes 1-57 - normal buses
  • Routes 7x - mini-buses (suburban buses)
  • Routes 150-160 - trolleybuses
  • Routes 3xx - night buses (4.00zł/2.00zł); available only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, not available in Summer

Buses and trolleybuses are the best place for pickpockets, especially routes from Railway and Bus Stations.

[edit] Trolleybus line for tourists

Every summer local city transport company runs special tourist trolleybus line. It's served by unique Soviet trolleybus ZIU, popular in 70's and 80's in former communist countries in Europe. Tours are starting every Sunday from bus stup near Crocow Gate (Brama Krakowska 02) at 14:00 and 15:30. During this journey passangers will see Majdanek Nazi Camp, Cathedral, interesting object in the Old Town and other attractions (all with virtual guide comments). Price: 5.00zł for one ride.

[edit] By taxi

Taxi services are quite cheap, but sometimes taxi drivers want to cheat abroad tourists, so it's good to know the prices in taxi corporations:

  • 5.50zł for starting service
  • 2.20zł/km

Charges are higher after 10pm, on Sundays, and public holidays.

  • Damel Taxi - +4881 19626
  • Dwojki - +4881 19621
  • MPT - +4881 19191
  • Lublin - +4881 19628
  • Echo - +4881 19662
  • Rytm - +4881 19667

Do not take taxis from taxi stands near bus and railway Stations. There are often non-regulated taxi drivers who overcharge. It's better to call one of taxi companies.

[edit][add listing] See

The Castle of Lublin
The Castle of Lublin
St. Joseph Church, in the style of Lublin Renaissance
St. Joseph Church, in the style of Lublin Renaissance

[edit] Main sights

  • The Castle of Lublin and Chapel of the Holy Trinity, Zamkowa St. 9 (at the northernmost part of the Old Town, near Main Bus Station), ☎ +4881 532 50 01, [4]. Tuesdays - Saturdays: 10am-5pm, Sundays: 10am-6pm (September - May: Tuesdays, Thursdays - Saturdays: 9am- 4pm, Wedensday, Sundays: 9am-5pm). The castle of Lublin has been rebuilt in the 19th century in the neogothic style. Proceed to the yard to take a look at the 13th century Romanesque donjon and the Chapel of Holy trinity. The Chapel is a must-see - its interior conceals unique Byzantine wall paintings dating back to 1418. If you have some more time, check out the interior of the museum - especially the Polish Paintings Gallery and the huge Union of Lublin painting by Jan Matejko. Ticket's price: 6.50zł / students, children: 4.50zł.  edit
  • Po Farze Sq., Old Town. Square with the uncovered foundation of the 14th-century St. Michael church.
  • Crown Tribunal, Rynek (Old Town Square). Built in the 1400s, it was the highest court in Lesser Poland.
  • St. Stanislas Dominican Basilica and Monastery, Złota St. (Go to the Market Sq., face the Crown Tribunal, pass it on the left and continue straight on for 200 m.). One of the oldest churches in Lublin, built around 1253. Rebuilt into its current shape after a fire in 1575, in the style of Lublin Renaissance. Take a look at the various chapels, surrounding the church and opening to the inside.  edit
  • Lublin Cathedral and Trinity Tower, Katedralny Sq. (Located at the edge of the Old Town, 100 m south from the Cracow Gate.). A unique baroque church with wall paintings. The tower provides a beautiful city panorama. 10am-5pm (October- April: only Saturadys and Sundays: 10am-5pm). Tickets price: 5.00zł / students, children: 3.00zł.  

  • Grodzka Gate, Grodzka St. (take the street leading out of the castle towards the Old Town). One of the original city gates, rebuilt in 1785. In the past also known as the Jewish Gate, as it separated the Jewish District from the Old Town.  edit
  • Cracow Gate, Łokietka Sq. (in the very center of Lublin, follow Bramowa St. from the Market Sq. or Krakowskie Przedmiescie until the end of the pedestrian zone). One of the two original city gates, built in 14th century in the Gothic style and then rebuilt during the Baroque period. A symbol of Lublin. The gate clock was in that same very place since 16th century. At noon, a trumpeter plays the city "Hejnał" from the balcony. Next to the gate, there is a small Lublin History Museum.  edit
  • Krakowskie Przedmieście, (begins at the Cracow Gate). Stroll along the the nice pedestrian zone in downtown and have a coffee in one of the cosy restaurants along the way.  edit
  • Majdanek State Museum (Państowe Muzeum na Majdanku), Droga Męczenników Majdanka 67 (bus no. 28 or 47; trolleybus no. 153, 156 or 158), ☎ +4881 74 426 40 (, fax: +4881 74 405 26), [5]. Tuesdays - Sun. 8am-4pm (Nov.-Mar. 8am-3pm). Former Nazi concentration camp.  edit
  • The TV tower at Raabego St. has a very unconventional design.

[edit] Religious buildings

  • Our Lady the Victorious Church, Narutowicza St. corner of Peowiakow (From Lithuanian Sq. take Krakowskie Przedmiescie to the Galeria Centrum department store, then turn right.). A Gothic-Renaissance church donated by king Ladislaus Jagiello after his victory over the Teutonic Order Knights at Grunwald/Tannenberg in 1410.  edit
  • St. Joseph Church and the Barefoot Carmelites Monastery, Świętoduska St. (From Cracow Gate follow Krakowskie Przedmieście and then take the first street right downhill.). Another great example of Lublin Renaissance style, built in the 17th century.  edit
  • Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Kalinowszczyzna St. x Lwowska St. (A short walk away from the Castle, ca 10 min.). A Lublin Renaissance church & monastery built in 1621 by the Franciscan order monks and renovated in the beginning of the 19th century to create 3 floors (lower and upper church + attic with community rooms).  edit

[edit] Museums

  • Skansen Museum (Muzeum Wsi Lubelskiej), al. Warszawska 96 (from city center take bus no. 5 , 18  or 20), ☎ +4881 533 85 13 (), [6]. April 9am-5pm; May-Sept. 9am-6pm; Oct. 9am-5pm. 8.00zł / students, children: 4.00zł.  edit
  • Lublin Province Museum (Muzeum Lubelskie na Zamku), Zamkowa St. 9 (near main bus station), ☎ +4881 532 50 01, [7]. Tues.- Sat. 10am-5pm, Sun. 10am-6pm (Sept.-May: Tues., Thurs., Sat. 9am- 4pm; Wed., Sun.: 9am-5pm). Gallery with Polish historical and modern painting, plus folk and weapon expositions. 6.50zł / students, children: 4.50zł.  edit
  • Lublin History Museum (Muzeum Historii Miasta Lublina), Łokietka Sq. 3 (near Krakowska gate; bus nos. 1 , 2, 11 , or 17 ), ☎ +4881 532 60 01. Wed-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 9am-5pm. 3.50zł / students, children: 2.50zł.  edit
  • Gestapo Jail Martyrdom Museum (Muzeum Martyrologii Pod Zegarem), Uniwersytecka St. 1 (behind the main building of Catholic University of Lublin; bus nos. 5, 10, 13, 18, 31, 57 or trolleybus no. 150), ☎ +4881 533 36 78. Free..  edit
  • Vincent Pol Manor (Dworek Wincentego Pola), Kalinowszczyzna 13, St. (near old Jewish cementary; bus no. 1), ☎ +4881 747 24 13. Wed.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 9am-6pm. Exhibitions concerning the life of Polish poet Vincent Pol and his hobby, geography. Housed in his former manor. 3.50zł / students, children: 2.50zł.  edit
  • Jozef Czechowicz Literary Museum (Muzeum Literackie im. Józefa Czechowicza), Złota St. 3 (Old Town), ☎ +4881 532 30 90. Wednesdays = Saturdays: 9am-4pm, Sundays: 9am-5pm. Exhibitions concerning the poets and authors from Lublin city and the region. 3.50zł / students, children: 2.50zł.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Cinemas

There are 8 cinemas in Lublin. The biggest - Cinema City - has 8 screens.

[edit] Events

  • International Festival of Theater "Confrontation" (Międzynarodowy Festiwal Teatralny "Konfrontacje"), [8], May
  • Festival of Theater "Neighbors" (Festiwal Teatralny "SĄSIEDZI"), [9], June
  • International Lublin Meetings of Theater of Dance (Międzynarodowe Lubelskie Spotkania Teatrów Tańca), [10], November
  • International Days of Documentary Movies "Bifurcation of Europe" (Międzynarodowe Dni Filmu Dokumentalnego "Rozstaje Europy"), [11], March
  • Festival of Fashion "Provocations" (Festiwal "Prowokacje"), [12]
  • International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)

[edit] Parks

  • Saxonian Garden (Ogród Saski), in the city center, near KFC restaurant
  • UMCS Botanic Garden, Sławinkowska St. 3 (near road to Warsaw and Skansen Museum; bus no. 5 , 18 or 20), ☎ +4881 537 55 40 (), [13]. April and September: 9am-6pm, Sat. and Sun. 10am-6pm; May and Aug. 9am-7pm, Sat. and Sun. 10am-7pm; June and July 9am-8pm, Sun. and Sat. 10am-8pm; Oct.-March 9am-5pm, Sat. and Sun. 10am-5pm. 5.00zł / students, children: 2.50zł.  edit
  • Zemborzycki Lake - artificial lake, many restaurants and bars. It is possible to rent a boat or water skis.

[edit] Sport

  • Hala Globus is a place where you can enjoy ice-skating. From the city center take bus  26  or  31  or trolleybus  150  ,  152 ,  155  or  158 . 
  • Ośrodek Sportowy-Rekreacyjny RELAND (Zalew Zemborzycki), From city center by bus take no.  40   or the special summer lines  ''Marina''  or  ''Dabrova'', ☎ +4881 745 63 43 (), [14]. Water skiing. Mon.-Fri. 28.00zł/hour; Weekends 32.00zł/hour.  edit

 

[edit] Learn

You can study in one of the universities in Lublin. It's possible in all public high schools thanks to international cooperation (e.g. Socrates-Erasmus):

  • Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) ( ), Maria Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 5 (Bus 13 or trolleybus 150 from the railway station , buses  10,  18 ,  31,  57 from the main bus station), ☎ +4881 537 54 10, [15]. Faculties: biology and Earth science, law and administration, mathematics, physics and computer science, humanities, economics, chemistry, pedagogy and psychology, philosophy and sociology, political science, arts  edit
  • Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), al. Racławickie 14 (near Saski Garden and UMCS, bus 13 or trolleybus 150 from the railway station , buses  10,  18 ,  31,  57 from the main bus station), [16]. Faculties: theology, philosophy, law, canon law and administration, humanities, social science, mathematics and natural science  edit
  • Medical University of Lublin (UM) (Uniwersytet Medyczny), al. Racławickie 1 (near Saski Garden, bus 13 or trolleybus 150 from the railway station , buses  10,  18 ,  31,  57 from the main bus station), ☎ +4881 53 200 61, [17].  edit
  • Agricultural University of Lublin (UP) (Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy), Akademicka St. 13 (southern part of the university campus, bus 11 from Main Bus Station), ☎ +4881 445 66 77 (), [18]. faculties: agriculture, horticulture, veterinary medicine, biology and animal breeding, production engineering, food sciences and biotechnology  edit
  • Lublin University of Technology (Politechnika Lubelska), Nadbystrzycka St. 38d (on the bank of Bystrzyca River, bus 39 from Main Bus Station), ☎ +4881 53 84 719 (), [19]. faculties: civil and sanitary engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, environmental engineering, management and fundamentals of technology, mechanical engineering  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit] City Shopping

The Old Town district offers plenty of small shops with souvenirs. Many shops with clothes, shoes, souvenirs are situated in city center on Krakowskie Przedmieście St. There are also Main Post Office, local divisions of biggest Polish and global banks. There is also trade city center on Tomasza Zana St. Near E. Leclerc shopping mall you can find

[edit] Shopping Malls

  • Galeria Olimp, Spółdzielczości Pracy Ave. 34, buses form city center - 17, 18, 31; over 130 shops with clothes and electronic equipment, also restaurants and bars
  • Plaza Center, Lipowa St. 13, city center, over 100 shops with clothes, books, music, toys, also: club, cinema, restaurants and bars
  • Galeria Centrum, Krakowskie Przedmieście 40 (city center), ☎ +4881 532 22 61 ext.125, [20]. Mondays-Saturdays 9:30am-9pm, Sundays 10:30am-4pm. clothes  edit
  • Centrum Handlowe im. Tomasza Zana (Tomasz Zan Shopping Mall), Zana 19 (buses from city center - 9, 11, 14, 57). Mondays-Saturdays 9am-8pm, Sundays 10am-9pm. market E.Leclerc, shops with clothes, books, music, toys, also restaurants and bars; near MediaMarkt with electronic equipment  edit
  • Galeria Orkana, Orkana 16 (buses from city center - 10, 57), (), [21]. clothes, perfumes, restaurants and bars  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • OLD PUB Bar & Restaurant, 8 Grodzka St..  edit
  • Ulice Miasta, Łokietka Sq. 3 (Right next to Cracow Gate), ☎ +4881 534 05 92, [22]. 10 - 23, Fr-Sat 10-01. A nice restaurant with Polish cuisine and great ambience, in the cellar of the Cracow Gate. 30 -40zł per main course.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Guest House Wytchnienie [23] - Accommodation in Lublin.
  • Hotel Waksman [24]
  • Hotel Unia [25] or [26]
  • Hotel Victoria [27]
  • Hotel Europa [28]
  • Hotel Huzar [29]
  • Hotel Campanile [30]
  • Hotel Bellis - cheap, but web site only in Polish [31]
  • Hotel Lwow [32]
  • Hotel Korona [33]
  • PZM Motel [34]

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

  • Hotel Focus, Al. Kraśnicka 80, ☎ +48 (0/81) 527 00 44 (, fax: +48 (0/81) 527 00 46). 150 - 330 PLN.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka, ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 56, ☎ +48 (0/81) 44 66 100 (, fax: +48 (0/81) 44 66 200), [35]. 260 - 710 PLN.  edit

[edit] Contact

Tourist information in Lublin provides current information on the sightseeing, tourist, cultural and recreational attractiveness of Lublin and the Lubelski Region. Contact with Tourist Information Center: infotur@loit.lublin.pl or +4881 532 44 12. See also the web page: [36]. There are three offices in the city center:

  • Old Town: Jezuicka St. 1/3, near Krakowska Gate, 10 minutes from Bus Station and 30 minutes (by bus:  1  ) from Railway Station; 9am-6pm, Saturdays: 10am-4pm, Sundays: 10am-3pm (Oct-Apr: 9am-5pm, Saturdays: 10am-3pm)
  • Old Town: Rynek 8 (Old Town Square), 8 minutes from Bus Station and 30 minutes (by bus:  1  ) from Railway Station;
  • City Center: Krakowskie Przedmieście, main street of the city, near KFC restaurant, 30 minutes (by trolleybus:  150  ) from Railway Station or 30 minutes (by bus:  10  ,  18  ,  57  ) from Bus Station.

[edit] Internet

Access to Internet by Wi-Fi:

  • City Hall - Łokietka Square. Free.
  • Era Mobile - Krakowskie Przedmieście St.
  • Europa Hotel - Krakowskie Przedmieście St. Free.
  • Galeria Olimp Shopping Center - Spółdzielczości Pracy Ave.
  • Galeria Orkana Shopping Center - Orkana St. Free.
  • IBM - Żagiel Shopping Center - 1 Maja St.
  • Lublin University of Technology - Nadbystrzycka St. and Wapienna St.
  • McDondald's Restaurant - Krakowskie Przedmieście St.
  • Mercure Unia Hotel
  • Motel Na Rogatce - Sielankowa St., Sławinek. Free.
  • Na Strychu Pub - Głeboka St. Free.
  • Old Town Square - Free.
  • Orange Mobile - Krakowskie Przedmieście St.
  • Pizza Hut / KFC - Racławickie Ave.
  • Plac Litewski - Litewski Square, city center. Free.
  • Plac Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej - Maria Curie-Skłodowska Square - central place of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. Free.
  • Riley Snooker Club - Zygmuntowskie Ave. Free.
  • Saski Park and Leszczyńskiego St. Free.
  • Stolarnia Club - Stefczyka St., Bursaki. Free.
  • Victoria Hotel
  • Zemborzycki Lake - Free.

[edit] Help for foreigners

  • Consulate General of the Ukraine in Lublin (Konsulat Generalny Ukrainy w Lublinie), Kunickiego St. 24, phone: (+4881) 531-88-89, (+4881) 531-88-01, fax (+4881) 531-88-88, e-mail: gc_pll@mfa.gov.ua
  • British Consulate in Lublin serviced by the Honorary Consul Jan Danilczuk (Konsulat Wielkiej Brytanii w Lublinie obsługiwany przez Konsula Honorowego, Jana Danilczuka), Beskidzka St. 9, phone: (+4881) 742-01-01, fax (+4881) 742-91-30, e-mail: ukconsul@uren.com.pl
  • Honorary Consul of Brazil in Lublin, prof. Barbara Hlibowicka-Węglarz (Konsul Honorowy Brazylii w Lublinie prof. Barbara Hlibowicka-Węglarz), Maria Curie-Sklodowska Sq. 4a, phone: (+4881) 537-26-29, e-mail: barbara.hlibowicka-weglarz@umcs.lublin.pl
  • Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lublin, prof. Andrzej Kidyba (Konsul Honorowy Republiki Federalnej Niemiec w Lublinie, prof. Andrzej Kidyba), Rynek 7, phone: (+4881) 743-65-43, fax (+4881) 743-73-26, e-mail: andrzej.kidyba@lfr.lublin.pl

[edit] Get out

Retrieved from "http://wikitravel.org/en/Lublin"