Leszno – attractions and monuments of the pearl of Greater Poland. What to see in Leszno?

How we were captivated by Leszno in Wielkopolska, which we have only known by name so far. It was worth changing it, because Leszno can really delight. It is a compact, intimate and elegant city, where the most important attractions and monuments are concentrated around the market square, creating an ideal space for a leisurely walk. Get to know the curiosities of this once private city by reading our guide to Leszno!

Where is Leszno located and how to get there? Car parks

Leszno is located in the south-western part of Wielkopolska, about halfway between Poznań and Wrocław. This is a very convenient location, especially for people planning a weekend city break or a stop on the way. The city is easy to reach:

• by car – the S5 expressway runs here (Poznań–Wrocław), we from Upper Silesia arrived here in 3 hours
• by train – Leszno lies on an important railway line connecting both major cities
• by bus – there are regular regional connections

This makes it a great destination for both a day trip and a quiet weekend in Leszno. In the city center, parking is payable on weekdays (Mon-Fri 8.00-18.00). We parked at Metziga Square, the first hour of parking is PLN 5.50 (3h is PLN 20, 2026).

Top attractions in Leszno - what to see and explore? Map of attractions

The biggest advantage of the city is its clear layout, compactness and well-groomed monuments. Most of the attractions are located in the center, which allows you to explore them without rushing and without having to use transport. Here are the best attractions in Leszno!

Market Square and Town Hall in Leszno - the main square of the city

The heart of the city is the market square with beautiful, preserved buildings of tenement houses. Interestingly, it was not destroyed by war, thanks to which today we can admire the authentic architecture from centuries ago. Most of the tenement houses were built in the years 1870-1914. There are also a few preserved from the fire in 1790, which remained unchanged. These are baroque tenement houses with characteristic gable facades. In the northern frontage, attention is drawn to two neighboring buildings: tenement house No. 15 from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries and house No. 16 owned by Jan Jonston – an outstanding doctor and scholar. Since 1788, the tenement house has housed a pharmacy. Above the entrance, you can see the emblem of the "Under the Swan" house and metal wheels for tying horses on the side. On the eastern frontage there is the oldest building in the market square - tenement house No. 29 with arcades, probably erected in 1634. Interestingly, historic houses are described on plaques.

The square is dominated by the Baroque town hall with a high tower, erected in 1707-1709 according to the design of the famous Italian architect - Pompeo Ferrari. It is one of the most beautiful town halls in the region and an expression of the wealth and craftsmanship of the Baroque era in Greater Poland. It also has classicist features. In front of it, there is an installation for photography - wings in interesting colors.

Monument to Stanisław Leszczyński - King of Poland

Practically at the market square, at its exit towards Leszczyński Street, there was a monument to Stanisław Leszczyński - King of Poland and Prince of Lorraine. The unveiling of the monument in the old town took place on October 20, 2023, on the 346th anniversary of the king's birth. The monument attracts the attention of locals and tourists who are happy to take a picture with it. The author of the bronze-cast monument is the famous Kielce sculptor Sławomir Micek.
Address: Rynek/Leszczyńskich Street/ Wróblewskiego Street

St. Nicholas Basilica in Leszno

St. Nicholas Basilica is one of the most important temples in Leszno. It was built on the site of the oldest church in Leszno, destroyed by fire in 1656. It was rebuilt after 1680 according to the design of Jan Catenazzi. It is considered the most outstanding implementation of this architect brought by the Leszczyński family. The church is the ancestral mausoleum of the Leszczyński family. There are tombstones of Bishop Bogusław and Raphael (the king's father), probably by Józef Szymon Belotti or Pompeo Ferrari. The interior of the basilica impresses with its rich baroque decor, so if you like this era, be sure to enter here. The facade with two towers and the intricately decorated interior create a harmonious and extremely impressive whole. Inside, the attention is drawn to the richly decorated main altar with the image of the Holy Trinity and the Virgin Mary, as well as numerous side altars from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Baroque pulpit, elaborate sculptures, woodcarving and paintings add a unique character to the place.
Address: ul. Kościelna

Sulkowski Palace and Municipal Park - a natural asylum

The Sulkowski Palace is a Baroque residence built on the site of an earlier building. The contemporary shape was given in the middle of the 18th century after the fires. It blends beautifully with the surrounding greenery and the spilling pond on which the fountain stood. The City Park is a relic of an old, still medieval moat. Unfortunately, the interiors of the palace have lost their stylish features and original furnishings. Only single details of the architectural decor have survived.
Address: 4 Kościuszki Square

Murals and the legend of the Wieniawa coat of arms

At Wałowa Street you will find 2 interesting murals depicting the legend of Dobrawa and the knight who saved her from the Turks. It is from this story that the coat of arms of Wieniawa, associated with the city, originates.
Address: ul. Wałowa 14

Former Evangelical church with a lapidary - now the Catholic church of the Holy Cross

The Church of the Holy Cross in Leszno is a former Evangelical church. The fourth one to stand here. The first wooden one was erected in 1635, and the current building dates back to the  18th century. It is the work of, among others, Pompeo Ferrari. The congregation was considered the most beautiful example of Lutheran sacred architecture in Greater Poland and was a model for other projects, e.g. in Poznań or Rawicz. The impressive temple, although Catholic today, reminds us of the city's Protestant past. The decor is modest, as is usually the case with evangelical temples. Unfortunately, the empires surrounding the interior have been liquidated. The building is surrounded by an unusual lapidarium with over 200 plates and obelisks that document the history of the inhabitants of Leszno over three centuries. 
Address: Plac Jana Metziga 19

The former church of the Czech Brethren and the monument to John Amos Comenius - now the church of St. John the Baptist

The Church of St. John the Baptist in Leszno was built in 1652-54 by Czech brothers. The temple refers to the architecture of the late Gothic, but the harmony of the brick block is broken by the Baroque chapel of the Gruszczyński family by Pompeo Ferrari. It was here that Jan Amos Comenius, an outstanding educator and advocate of education, worked. He was associated with the local junior high school and preached ideas that remain valid to this day. Namely, that "We do not learn for school, but for life". Next to the church stands its monument – a place of particular importance for Czech tourists.
Address: ul. Bolesława Chrobrego 28

Former synagogue - Gallery of the Regional Museum in Leszno

The former synagogue today serves as a city gallery, but it is a testimony to the presence of the Jewish community in Leszno. This is another element of the city's multicultural history. And she's really noble! It is the largest and probably the oldest preserved main synagogue of the Jewish parish in Greater Poland. The first synagogue was built here in 1626 as a wooden one, the present one dates from the 18th century, and at the beginning of the 20th century a tower was added. The synagogue was used by the Jewish community in Leszno until 1939, when it was  devastated by the Germans. After the war, it served as a city bathhouse. Today, it is an art gallery of the Regional Museum in Leszno, and in one of the rooms there is a permanent exhibition "Jews in Leszno". Interestingly, elements of the interior design, such as polychrome with floral decoration of the walls, have been preserved. Behind the synagogue, there was also an entire Jewish district created in 1626. It was located inside the embankments in the north-western part of the city and contained: a ritual bath (mikvah), a Talmud school, a commune house, a kosher slaughterhouse or a hospital. Unfortunately, these elements of the city's development did not survive outside the house of learning (bet ha-midrash) at 4 Średnia Street. It served as a school of the Talmud, a place to study the holy books and a house of prayer. Already in the interwar period, the building served residential functions. 
Address: ul. Narutowicza 31

Tint's house in Leszno - traces of Jews

At 13 Wałowa Street, a 5-storey tenement house erected at the beginning of the 20th century for the Jewish merchant Heymann Tint has been preserved. Above the entrance you can see a cartridge with the owner's initials. Tint was one of the richest merchants in Leszno.
Address: ul. Wałowa 13

Leo Baeck's house in Leszno

At Chrobrego Street, there is a nineteenth-century tenement house where the most famous Jew from Leszno was born. This is Leo Baeck (1873-1956) - one of the most outstanding Jewish philosophers of the 20th century. Currently, the building houses guest rooms.
Address: ul. Chrobrego 34

Leszno model and bas-relief of the Koscian Gate

The Leszno model was created in 2018 at the intersection of Słowacki Avenue and Narutowicza Street and depicts the city before the last great fire of 1790. Beautifully visible here is the outline of a private city with its buildings and the most important monuments, closed by the embankment. Next to the building, there is an additional relief showing the Koscian Gate, which closed the city embankments from the north. Its outline is marked on the pavement.
Address: al. Słowackiego/ul. Narutowicza

Castle in Rydzyn

The castle in Rydzyn is an extremely impressive building that invites you to explore and to guest rooms. The mighty castle is largely the work of Pompeo Ferrari, who was brought to Poland by King Leszczyński. However, the ruler did not enjoy this baroque beauty for long, because after the second abdication he was forced to sell his property and leave the country. At that time, it was purchased by Aleksander Józef Sułkowski along with goods with an area of about one million hectares. They completed the avant-garde on the southern façade and completed the interiors. These survived the war, but were burned by the Soviet army. Today, they are painstakingly restored, which is no small curiosity!

Other attractions and points of interest in the city and its surroundings

• Suspended installations - on the promenade, i.e. Słowiańska Street, there are colourful clouds hanging between the buildings, which looks extremely interesting and gives colourful reflections. On the other hand, on the other side of the market, at Wróblewskiego Street, there are colorful crochet ornaments, which also looks extremely charming
• Phone booth on the market - opening PLN 1, after picking up the phone there is a story about Leszno
• Stanisław Grochowiak Municipal Public Library - Leszczyńska Book Gallery, Jan Metzig Square 25 - with a shared roof
• Monument to the poet Stanisław Grochowiak, Jan Metzig Square
• The mural "Goats are our number game", Narutowicza Street - a relic of the times of the Polish People's Republic - he refreshed
• St. George's Hospital - founded in 1688 and maintained by the Lutheran community. On the front wall there is a relief depicting St. George killing a dragon. The hospital was founded by Georg Stolz
• The former gymnasium - a building from around 1714, was built according to the design of Catenazzi, on the site of the former seat of the famous gymnasium of Czech brothers, currently the seat of the parish
• Monument to John Amos Comenius - from 1898 by Alfred Reichel, eagerly visited by the Czechs, because for them he is a hero, there is 200 crowns on the banknote
• Museum of Milling and Agriculture in Osieczna with koźlakami windmills
• Lily of the valley kayaking trail

Leszno captivates not only with its monuments, but also with its atmosphere. Colorful streets departing from the market, decorations hanging over the urban space and neat architectural details create a very friendly atmosphere. It's one of those places where you can walk around without a plan and just soak up space. Even small things – like metal handles for attaching horses to tenement houses – remind you of the old history of the city.

Gastronomy - restaurants in Leszno

The city also positively surprises with its cuisine. You will find many pastry shops, cafes and restaurants. With both regional and modern cuisine. From our own experience, we can recommend the restaurant "Tastes at the Town Hall" on the Market Square – a place combining the tradition of Wielkopolska with interesting inspirations from other regions and countries. We stopped for coffee at the Nowaczyński Café on Narutowicza Street, but there are many more restaurants and cafes in the city and many of them represent a really high level. Wielkopolska is famous for its ducks, pyres, i.e. potatoes and asparagus, which were in season in May.

Accommodation in Leszno

When it comes to accommodation, the nearby castle in Rydzyn is a great option. It is an elegant, historical building just a few kilometers away from Leszno. It offers breakfast included and there is also a restaurant with local flavours. For hotel guests, visiting the castle is free of charge, at any time.

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Events in Leszno

Leszno is a city where important and very interesting events and outdoor events take place every year. Particularly noteworthy are:

• The antidote of AirShow Leszno - 2-day air shows in June - a sky performance that admires tens of thousands of viewers. In the sky you will see aerobatics of soloists and demonstration groups, jets and helicopters of the Polish and foreign air forces, glider, paraglider, motor-paraglider and balloon shows. This is an unforgettable spectacle that also illuminates the night!
•  "Return of the King" - an annual event in the Leszno Market Square, with the king's speech and posing for photos with his wife and residents of Leszno
• Cycling Rally "Cycling through Leszno-Region" - takes place in June - it is a more than 20-kilometer route leading to charming corners of the region
• Picnic Leszczyńskie Smaki - the event in August promotes regional dishes, preserves and pastries prepared by the Rural Housewives Circles from the Leszczyńskie Region

Cit in Leszno - Tourist Information Centre

When visiting Leszno, it is worth visiting the Tourist Information Centre at Słowiańska Street, i.e. on the promenade. It is very well equipped, but also people who work here are happy to help and tourists leave here satisfied. You can buy free leaflets and brochures as well as paid materials. Interesting are the Leszczyńskie cards with pictures of nearby attractions.

A Brief History of the Royal City

Although the beginnings of settlement in this place date back to the Middle Ages, the true history of Leszno as a city begins in the 16th century. In 1549, it obtained city rights, and its development was directly related to the Leszczyński family. It was from the name of the city that their surname was taken, and in turn the name of the city was derived from hazel. Leszno was a private city, developed on a grand scale, somewhat like Zamość. Thanks to the owners' investments, it quickly became one of the most important centers of Wielkopolska, second only to Poznań. The 17th century was his golden age. The city became known as the "Greater Poland Athens" – for a reason. It was famous for the flourishing of science and religious tolerance and openness, attracting various communities: Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Czech Brethren. This unique cultural crucible of the Western Borderlands created an extremely interesting spiritual and intellectual landscape.
One of the most famous inhabitants was King Stanisław Leszczyński – a patron of art and a figure important not only for Poland but also for Europe. His daughter Maria Leszczyńska of the Wieniawa coat of arms, became Queen of France in 1725–68 as the wife of Louis XV. This is an interesting female thread in a male-dominated story. She was the longest reigning queen of France, and the people truly loved her. She was known for her kindness and charity. When her husband betrayed her, the people turned away from him, and when the queen died, she was sincerely mourned. And it was thanks to her marriage that Stanisław Leszczyński received the Principality of Lorraine as a gift when he fled Poland from the tsarist armies.

Why is it worth visiting Leszno? Weekend in the city!

Leszno is an ideal destination for those who are looking for:

• less obvious cities in Poland
• well-preserved architecture
• a story with a multicultural background
• a place for a quiet walk without crowds
• good gastronomy

It is a city where everything is "at hand" – no rush, no need to move by car, but with a lot of aesthetics and history. It's a great idea for a successful weekend in Wielkopolska!

Our video about Leszno

We also encourage you to see our film about Leszno and its surrounding attractions.

Rent a car

Exploring becomes much easier when you have your own means of transport. You don’t have to worry about buses or taxis, and you can plan each day your way. The search box below will help you find the right car – right where your journey begins.

What's worth seeing in the area?

If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.

• Rydzyn Castle, distance: 9.1  km
• Barycz Valley, distance: 52.1  km
• Poznań, distance: 67.5  km
• Legnica, distance: 76.3  km
• Ostrów Tumski in Wrocław, distance: 87.4  km
• Wroclaw, distance: 87.4  km
• Wrocław Zoo with Afrkarium, distance: 89.1  km
• Bolesławiec, distance: 95.1  km