Lublin

Lublin is one of the oldest and most picturesque cities in eastern Poland, serving as the capital of the Lublin Voivodeship, with a population of around 340,000. Located on a historic trade route between Kraków and Vilnius, it became an important commercial and cultural center during the Middle Ages. In 1569, the Union of Lublin was signed here, uniting the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into a single state — the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Today, the city is a leading hub of education and culture in eastern Poland. It is home to several prestigious universities, including Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Lublin is also developing rapidly as a business center, with modern infrastructure and attractive investment conditions.

The most charming part of the city is its Old Town — a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and cozy cafes. Among its landmarks are the Lublin Castle with the famous Chapel of the Holy Trinity, decorated with unique Byzantine–Gothic frescoes, the Kraków Gate, and the Old Market Square.

 

Lublin is also known as a city of festivals and the arts. Each summer it hosts the Carnaval Sztukmistrzów, a festival of street performers, as well as the Night of Culture, when the entire city comes alive with concerts and exhibitions. In 2023, Lublin was named the European Youth Capital, and in 2029 it will become the European Capital of Culture.