SimplyMaggies

Yes, I do. Even though some people claim Lublin (it’s the name of my hometown) is somewhat of a province. Well, obviously they haven’t recently been there. Oh, and for those of you who never heard of it, it is in Poland (hope you know where that country lies… and if not, check on the map).

Lublin has a very long history. The first settlement was founded in the 6th century and the town that developed from it received its city rights in 1317. And it’s been growing in importance ever since. I am not going to bore you here with all the details of Lublin’s history since it really is quite long and colorful (and you can always find that out on the net if interested). I am, however, going to tell you that it’s called “Polish Oxford” and the reason for it—its five public universities, which bring a number of students not only from other areas in Poland but abroad as well.

The town has a magnificent architecture (especially the Old Town and the areas around it) and a captivating, unique atmosphere, which is why some call it “little Cracow”. There are many places worth seeing here and there is a bit of everything for every one to find something they like. The Old Town’s cobbled streets and winding lanes are an interesting addition to the picturesque buildings as well as many pubs, bars and restaurants with their garden tables. The newly renovated castle prides itself on an incredible Trinity Chapel with 15th century Russian-Byzantine frescoes (quite exceptional and, according to some, the most beautiful in Poland). And on the outskirts of the city, you will find Majdanek—the Nazi concentration camp, which requires a bit of courage to see as it will bring the WWII history close to home in an abrupt and compelling way.

In addition to all this enchanting architecture, Lublin has an astonishing number of bars, pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants, serving fresh local specialties as well as international cuisine. Not bad for a province, huh? Moreover, because of the large number of students, the city offers a vibrant music and nightclub scene alongside many theatres, philharmonic orchestras and museums.

 And if you’re looking for something totally different, there are horseback riding schools, old forests (good for mushroom picking or simply strolling), and you can kayak and cycle around the Bystrzyca river. There is also a large man-made lake, Zemborzycki Zalew, where you can water ski, wind surf, canoe, fish and enjoy other lake activities, e.g. swimming, sailing and sunbathing. A bit of everything, I’d say…

So there it is—a jewel in the rough. The city I was born and grew up in and hope one day to return to.

Posted Travel |