Bialystok City Walk

Bialystok is the largest city in the region of north-eastern Poland. It is surrounded by a beautiful natural area called the Green Lungs of Poland which is full of tourist attractions. The location nearby Lithuania and Belarus had a significant influence on the historical and present functioning of the city itself and the entire Podlasie region. Many different cultures, religions and nationalities have lived here for centuries. It undoubtedly contributed to a high degree of tolerance and a friendly attitude of the inhabitants. Among all other cities in Poland, Bialystok can boast of numerous parks and green areas (covering over 30 percent of the city). Together with our guide, we will prove during this tour that Bialystok is also a great city to visit even though it may not seem so popular as many others in our country.

We organize private Bialystok City Walks on request

Tour itinerary:

1. meeting our private city guide in chosen language at your hotel at chosen time (if your hotel is located too far from the centre, we suggest a meeting point or at additional cost we can provide private transfer service)
2. 3 hours of walking tour of the centre of Bialystok that includes all important sites of this district of the city:

• Branicki Palace (from the outside) – the most valuable monument of Bialystok, also known as the Versailles of Podlasie, the Versailles of the North or the Polish Versailles. It is one of the best-preserved magnate mansions of the Saxon era. This late Baroque architecture was built on the foundation of the Wiesiolowski castle in 1691 – 1697. The palace now houses the rector’s office of the Medical University in Bialystok.
• Gardens surrounding the Branicki Palace – today the whole area covers approx. 9.7 ha. The park around the residence is situated on two ground levels: upper and lower due to its location. Here you will find remains from the old stand (1,200 trees), 24 monuments, 4 fountains and a pair of sphinxes on the pedestals. The garden is an extremely beautiful place to walk and rest in fresh air.
• Bialystok Cathedral – neo-Gothic temple erected in 1900 – 1905. The building impresses with its size and interesting history. In fact, this cathedral is only an extension of the Old Parish Church. The archcathedral is ten times larger than the old church. Red brick and two soaring towers are the most characteristic elements of this building.
• the Old Market area – includes the Kosciuszko Market Square and Lipowa Street. The whole area is pedestrianized, which is undoubtedly very conducive to walking. The market square is surrounded by architecturally coherent buildings, and in its center there is a large building of the Town Hall. Before WWII, the market was used as a bazaar for large local trade.
• Town Hall – located at the Kosciuszko Market Square. It is a late Baroque building with a clock tower funded by Jan Klemens Branicki.the statue of young Ludwik Zamenhof – the founder of the Esperanto language, whose purpose was to unify communication all over the world.
• Orthodox church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker – it is a cathedral church built in the 19th century with Byzantine interior and a tower with five bells above the entrance.
• St. Roch’s Church – erected on a hill with an 83-meter tower, is the most interesting example of modernism in Polish sacred architecture. The temple was built in 1927-1940 as a monument to Polish independence. It is set on an octagonal plan with a chancel, sacristy and two chapels adjacent to its sides.
• Great Synagogue Monument – a monument which commemorates the Great Synagogue that stood in its place and the tragedy in which about 700 Jews died. After entering Bialystok on June 27, 1941, German army locked up the Jews living in the local district called Szulhof and burned them alive.
• Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic – European Art Center of Stanislaw Moniuszko in Bialystok – currently the largest artistic institution in north-eastern Poland and the most modern cultural center in this part of Europe.

Whole tour lasts up to 3 hours

Prices:

• 650 PLN for a group of up to 20 people

What is included?:

• service of our professional private city guide in chosen language for up to 3 hours of walking sightseeing tour of Bialystok

This private tour is available in following languages:
English, German, Russian, French and Greek

*some languages may be subject to availability and prices can vary