Poland’s Masuria Province is full of surprises. This region houses Poland’s Lake District and was also notoriously the location where Adolf Hitler hid for over 800 days during World War II. Once you escape the big city buzz of Olsztyn (the capital of the region), charming traditional towns show you what the real rural Poland is all about. Biskupiec is one such town and a gem for any tourist. From its pretty town square to its lakes to the local cuisine, check out what this town has in store for you.
Biskupiec’s cultural zone sits on the edge of town in an area known as the Zatorze. Here is a Cultural Centre which is located on Matejki Street just a 10-minute walk from the train station. There’s also an old water tower (Wieza Cisnien) in the Zatorze, which was built in 1913.
Jana Matejki 5, 11-300 Biskupiec, Poland
Water Tower at the Zatorze | © Northern Irishman in Poland
It was here, at a now defunct brewery, that Poland’s first keg beer was produced. Although the brewery no longer produces beer, the building remains. You can walk around the old brewery buildings, and the town has put up information boards about its history. Afterwards, pop into the nearby Stara Kaflarnia for a lunch to sample the local grzane piwo (hot beer) and some good soups and Polish main courses.
Ulica Piwna, 11-300 Biskupiec, Poland
This brewery produced Poland’s first keg beer | © Northern Irishman in Poland
All cool Polish towns should have a pretty old town square — it’s one of the unwritten rules in Poland. Biskupiec might only house 10,000 people, but it still serves up a treat of a central square. If you want to see the beauty of Biskupiec twice, visit once in summer and once in winter to see the contrasting seasons, as evident in the two photos below.
Plac Wolności 7-8, 11-300 Biskupiec, Poland
Plac Wolnosci, Biskupiec | © Honza Groh / WikiCommons
Plac Wolnosci, Biskupiec | © Northern Irishman in Poland
There is a main bridge worth checking out in Biskupiec, it crosses the Dymer River. The Bridge of St. John links the town centre to the outskirts and has a brilliant vantage point of the town’s main church.
Bridge of St. John, 11-300 Biskupiec, Poland
Viewpoint from the Bridge of St. John | © Northern Irishman in Poland
Jezioro Kraksy (Lake Kraksy) is a short walk on the outskirts of Biskupiec and separates the town from the countryside and the forests. It’s a truly tranquil and beautiful lake which freezes over in the Winter, meaning you can walk on it comfortably! Check with the locals first though, a tell-tale sign will be if they have their toboggans on it or are in ice skating boots. There are actually two lakes, Lake Kraksy and Little Lake Kraksy.
Stand on the frozen Lake Kraksy (winter) | © Northern Irishman in Poland
And if the winter visit wasn’t enough, you can always return in summer where you can bathe in or sail in a wooden boat across Lake Kraksy instead!
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