Lublin Underground Route

The Lublin Underground Route (Lubelska Trasa Podziemna) is a nearly 300-meter (1,000-foot) tourist trail through old merchants' cellars beneath the Market Square and townhouses of Lublin's Old Town. You descend up to 9–12 m (30–40 ft) below street level while a guide tells the city's story from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. The highlight is a sound-and-light show recreating the Great Fire of Lublin in 1719, making this one of the best things to do in Lublin on a rainy or cold day.

Where it is

Lublin (say "LOO-bleen") is the largest city in eastern Poland, about 170 km (105 miles) southeast of Warsaw, roughly two hours by direct train. Tours start at the Crown Tribunal, Rynek 1, the former town hall in the middle of the Old Town Market Square, a few minutes' walk from both the Kraków Gate and the Grodzka Gate.

How the cellars came about

Most of the cellars date from the early 16th century, when Lublin was one of the great trading towns of the Polish-Lithuanian state and its fairs attracted merchants from across Europe; traders stored their goods underground. The route was created by joining a dozen or so cellars with corridors and opened to visitors in June 2006. It is run by the Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre Centre.

What you'll see

The tour begins in the Crown Tribunal, seat of the kingdom's highest court from 1578, and runs on three levels beneath Złota and Archidiakońska streets to a house on Plac Po Farze, where the foundations of the former parish church of St. Michael survive – symbolically leading you from the center of secular power to the old heart of religious life. Along the way:

• scale models of Lublin showing how the town and its fortifications developed,
• vaulted brick cellars that once served as merchants' storerooms,
• a multimedia re-enactment of the Great Fire of June 2, 1719, based on a painting in the Dominican church and ending with the legend of the miracle that saved the town.

Tours and tickets (as of October 2026)

Visits are guided only, in groups at fixed times, and last about 45 minutes; the route is open to children aged 5 and over. According to the Centre's website, the route operates all year (except major holidays), with individual entries on weekdays at 2 p.m. (plus 4 p.m. from May to October) and on weekends at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (plus 5 p.m. from May to October), so winter 2026/27 offers fewer slots. Tours are generally in Polish – check the booking system for English options. Buy tickets online at bilety.teatrnn.pl or at the Centre's information point at Grodzka 21; if a slot is sold out online, it's usually sold out at the desk too. Check current prices when booking, as they have changed in recent years.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially with kids or in bad weather. Be aware that the route involves stairs and narrow passages, so it isn't suitable for wheelchairs or for anyone uncomfortable in tight spaces. It can be cooler underground than at street level, so a light layer helps in summer. The Centre recommends booking ahead, especially on weekends and in summer.

Nearby

The Fortune Cellar (Piwnica pod Fortuną), with 17th-century wall paintings, is just around the corner. From Plac Po Farze it's a short walk to the Trinitarian Tower viewpoint or through the Grodzka Gate to Lublin Castle.