Market Square in Zielona Góra

The Old Market Square in Zielona Góra (say "zhe-LOH-nah GOO-rah") is the historic heart of the capital of Lubusz Province in western Poland: a pedestrian square around a Gothic town hall with a slightly leaning 54 m tower, framed by colorful townhouses and dotted with dozens of tiny bronze Bacchus figures. Because the city escaped destruction in 1945, its old center survived largely intact. It is the obvious first stop among the things to do in Zielona Góra, Poland's best-known wine town.

Where it is and how to get there

Zielona Góra lies about 160 km east of Berlin, 130 km south of Poznań and 160 km northwest of Wrocław. From Berlin, drive via the A12/A2 to the border at Świecko, then south on the S3 expressway. Poznań and Wrocław airports offer international flights, and the small regional airport at Babimost has domestic connections. The main train station is about 1.5 km from the square, a 20-minute walk.

A short history

Tradition dates the town to 1222, when Duke Henry the Bearded is said to have brought settlers from Flanders, though no founding charter survives. The town appears in records in 1312, and vineyards are mentioned as early as 1314 — winemaking would define it for centuries. For most of its history it was the German-speaking Silesian town of Grünberg; it became part of Poland after World War II. On 14 February 1945 the Red Army took the city without a fight, which is why its prewar buildings survived — unusual in western Poland. In the 1960s the old town was closed to cars, creating one of the country's longest pedestrian zones.

The town hall and its leaning tower

The town hall in the center of the square has a Gothic 15th-century core, rebuilt after several fires, with wings added in 1742 and 1846. Its tower was raised to 54 m in 1582 and topped with a Baroque cupola with three lanterns. Since 1801 it has leaned slightly because of a construction error — look from Krawiecka Street. Every day at noon a bugle-style melody, the regional anthem, sounds from the tower. A wine cellar operated in the basement by 1639, and the building houses a tourist information office.

Bacchus figures and the wine festival

Since 2010, small bronze figurines of Bacchus's helpers (Bachusiki) have been appearing around town, most of them on and near the square. Hunting for them is free and fun for kids; a map is sold at the tourist office. The city's big event is Winobranie, the wine harvest festival in the first half of September, when a wine village with stalls from regional vineyards fills the square.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially as a stop between Berlin and Wrocław or during the wine festival. The square is open 24/7 and free. Allow 1–2 hours for the square and pedestrian street, or half a day with the figurine hunt and a museum. The paving is flat and stroller-friendly. Prices are in złoty (PLN); English signage is limited, but tourist office staff can help.

Nearby

Within a few minutes' walk: St. Hedwig's Co-Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa (a former Protestant church), the Bath Tower (Wieża Łaziebna) with a section of the town walls, and the Lubusz Land Museum, which has an exhibition on winemaking. Above the center lies the Wine Park with a palm house.