Things to do in Nysa
Nysa lies on the Nysa Kłodzka River in the Opole region, right next to Lake Nysa. For centuries it was the seat of the bishops of Wrocław, and its many churches and Baroque fountains earned it the nickname Silesian Rome. On the market square you will see the Triton Fountain of 1701, modelled on Bernini's fountain in Rome, and the Beautiful Well with its wrought-iron grille. Nearby stands the Gothic Cathedral of St James and St Agnes, and the former Bishops' Palace houses the district museum. Nysa was also a Prussian fortress: Fort Prussia is the best-preserved part of the defences, and sections of medieval walls survive in town. In summer you can swim and relax on the beach at Lake Nysa. Plan one day, two with the lake. Arrive by train from Opole or Brzeg, or by car on national road 41 or 46. May to September is best.
Map of attractions in Nysa
All 11 places on one map: see what is close together and plan your route.
All attractions (11)
Museums
Nysa District Museum
Nysa
The Nysa District Museum is the oldest museum in Opole Silesia – it has existed since 1897 and since 1984 has occupied the Baroque Bishops' Palace, the former residence of the bishops of Wrocław, who were also dukes of Nysa. Here you will…
Landmarks
Triton Fountain in Nysa
Nysa
The Romans inscribed S.P.Q.R. – "the Senate and People of Rome" – on their buildings. In 1701 the burghers of Nysa carved S.P.Q.N., "the Senate and People of Nysa", on their fountain, and there is hardly better proof that the town known as…
Free entry
Fortifications
Fort Prusy (Fort Prussia), Nysa
Nysa
Fort Prusy (Fort Prussia) in Nysa (say "NIH-sah") is the star attraction of the Nysa Fortress, a Prussian citadel laid out as a perfect five-pointed star in 1743-1745 on the hills above the Nysa Kłodzka river in southwest Poland. Seen from…
Lakes
Lake Nysa (Nysa Reservoir)
Nysa
Lake Nysa (Jezioro Nyskie, say "yeh-ZHOR-oh NIS-kyeh") is a large reservoir on the Nysa Kłodzka river, right on the western edge of the town of Nysa in southwest Poland. Covering about 20 km², it has sandy beaches on its northern shore, ma…
Free entry
Churches & monasteries
Basilica of St James and St Agnes in Nysa
Nysa
In 1619 a census of parishioners decided whether the church would stay Catholic or pass to the Protestants – the Catholics won by just three people. The Basilica of St James and St Agnes in Nysa, which locals have called the "cathedral" fo…
Churches & monasteries
Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Nysa
Nysa
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul on Bracka Street is considered the finest example of the Baroque in Nysa, a town once nicknamed the "Silesian Rome". Its vaults are covered in illusionistic paintings by the Scheffler brothers from 1730,…
Fortifications
Nysa Town Walls
Nysa
Nysa, the seat of the Bishops of Wrocław, was enclosed for five centuries by a ring of brick walls with four gates and 28 towers. In the 19th century the walls were demolished to link the cramped centre with new districts. Two gate towers…
Museums
Bishops' Palace in Nysa
Nysa
The prince-bishops of Wrocław ruled not only a diocese from Nysa but an entire duchy – and they wanted to live like cardinals in Rome. The result is the three-storey, four-winged Bishops' Palace at ul. Biskupa Jarosława 11, counted among t…
Landmarks
Beautiful Well in Nysa
Nysa
A few steps from Nysa's market square, at the start of Wrocławska Street, stands a well regarded as a masterpiece of Baroque wrought ironwork. The Beautiful Well of 1686 has a forged casing more than 5 metres high, crowned by the gilded do…
Free entry
Old towns & squares
Nysa Market Square
Nysa
Nysa Market Square is a medieval market place measuring about 200 × 100 m and for centuries the heart of the capital of a bishops' duchy. The war destroyed most of its buildings, but some gems survived: the Renaissance Town Weigh House, a…
Free entry
Historic sites
Way of St James in Nysa
Nysa
A shell on a blue background and a yellow arrow point the way from Nysa to Santiago de Compostela – the apostle's tomb is a very long way off, but every stretch of the Way of St James belongs to the same European network. Through Nysa runs…
Free entry