The Rzeszów Cellars Underground Route

The Rzeszów Cellars Underground Route (Rzeszowskie Piwnice) is a maze of old merchants' cellars beneath the main square of Rzeszów (say "ZHEH-shoof"), linked into a 396-meter (1,300-foot) tourist route. You descend as deep as 10 meters, squeeze through a passage just 70 cm wide and follow the city's story from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, told through film, sound and light. Since a major upgrade it is a modern multimedia attraction – and a great rainy-day option with kids.

History

Rzeszów received its town charter in 1354 from King Casimir the Great and grew into a busy trading town. Under the houses, the square and nearby streets, residents dug cellars into the soft loess soil and reinforced them with oak, stone or brick. They were used as warehouses and "earth shops," protected goods from fire and theft, and offered shelter during raids. A Gothic rib vault, a stone portal and fragments of the original floor survive – the oldest physical remains of the city. During World War II some cellars served as hiding places for Jews escaping the ghetto.

In the 1960s subsidence threatened the buildings around the square, and stabilization work went on in stages until 2000. A 213-meter route opened on April 19, 2001 and was extended to 396 meters in 2007. After a modernization that began in 2017, the cellars reopened on January 3, 2022 as an interactive cultural center run by the city.

Ways to visit

• Pictures of History (90 min, guided, Tuesday–Friday) – the classic route: the legends behind the city's name, medieval Rzeszów, Tatar raids, the great fire of 1842 and 20th-century life, including the region's aviation industry.
• Interactive Legend (90 min, guided, Tuesday–Friday) – a family game in which your team solves puzzles to find the "treasure of Rzeszów."
• Self-guided visit (about 50 min, weekends and selected holidays) – a short introduction and film, then explore at your own pace.

Expect 150+ steps and a steady 18°C (64°F) year-round – bring a light layer and good shoes. Groups are small, so weekend slots sell out.

Opening hours and tickets

As of October 2026, according to the official website:

• Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–7 pm; first entry 10:20 am, last entry 5:20 pm; closed Mondays and on major holidays (e.g., November 1, December 24–25 and 31, January 1).
• Guided tour in English: PLN 45, reduced PLN 40. Polish-language guided tour PLN 35/30; family ticket (2+2) PLN 100.
• Self-guided (weekends): PLN 25, reduced PLN 20.
• Booking: online or by phone at +48 798 445 920 or +48 452 039 763; email rzeszowskiepiwnice@rzeszowskiepiwnice.pl.
• No suitcases, large backpacks or food on the route; lockers are available.

Accessibility

The narrow corridors and many stairs make the route itself difficult for visitors with limited mobility. In the entrance hall, however, there are two virtual-tour stations, a small cinema with a multisensory film about Rzeszów, an elevator, an accessible restroom and an induction loop at the ticket desk.

Getting there

The entrance is at Rynek 26, on the Słowackiego Street side of the main square. Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport (RZE) is about 10 km from the center, and direct trains connect Rzeszów with Kraków. The square is in a paid parking zone; the attraction has no parking of its own.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes – it is the best introduction to Rzeszów's history, especially if you book an English-language guide. Afterward, explore the market square and town hall above, and walk five minutes south to the bastions of Rzeszów Castle.