The population of the city is Belarusians and Poles. There are fifteen higher educational institutions in the city. Sights of the city - Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This place attracts a huge number of visitors. Branicki Palace, Church of Mary Magdalene, House of the Horseman, Church of St. Vokh, Cathedral of St. Nicholas, Town Hall.
Białystok was built on a site that previously belonged to the Mazovian princes. Since the thirties of the nineteenth century, the textile and wool industry began to develop very intensively in the city, which are still the basis of the economy.
The city is home to several hundred architectural and historical monuments, some of which are included in the register of cultural monuments of the world.
Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Biebrza Bolta, as well as charming villages located in the vicinity of the city of Bialystok have become very popular and visited. Copyright www.site
A very visited city that attracts tourists from all over the world. A huge number of historical attractions, modern hotels, and magnificent nature that surrounds the city on all sides.
The city has preserved several luxurious palaces; the Branicki Palace is considered one of the most beautiful. Built in the 17th century, it is a striking example of late Baroque architecture. According to historical data, back in the 16th century, the very first brick castle was built on the site where the palace is located today. Subsequently it was destroyed and a large palace was built, which for a long time belonged to the Branicki family. Just like many years ago, today the architectural monument amazes with its incredible view. It is surrounded by a large landscaped garden with many interesting decorations and sculptures.
Among the religious attractions of Bialystok, it is worth noting the Church of St. Roch, located on the top of the hill of the same name. Construction of the temple began in 1925, but it could not be completed before the outbreak of World War II. During the war years, the buildings of the church housed soldiers' barracks; only by 1945 was the Catholic church finally built. The attitude of local residents towards the temple is still ambiguous today; the fact is that at the beginning of the 20th century it was decided to build it on the site of an old cemetery. No matter how local residents insisted on moving the temple to another place, their requests were never satisfied. Travelers who like to walk through beautiful historical places should take a stroll along Lipovaya Street. Once upon a time, this beautiful street was decorated with a long linden alley, but it has not been preserved to this day. Today, tourists come here to admire the beautiful historical buildings, many of which have been converted into hotels and restaurants. Fairs are also often held on this street, and interesting entertainment events are held here on holidays.
Nature lovers will definitely be offered a tour of the Bebrzanski National Park, which is located in the immediate vicinity of Bialystok. Tourists are prohibited from visiting this nature reserve on their own; the thing is that a significant part of its area is occupied by swamps. You can only walk through protected areas accompanied by a guide; in some parts of the park, special wooden bridges have been equipped for visitors. This park is home to many rare animals and birds, and here you can also see fabulously beautiful landscapes.
I can't call Bialystok a super-interesting city. Compared to other Polish cities, it is, of course, very lost. But for me personally, it is still very surprising that many people who come here almost several times a week have never been to Lipovaya Street, have not seen the Branicki Palace or, for example, the same Old Church in the center of the capital of Podlasie. For most Belarusians, Bialystok is, first of all, a shopping city. And most Russians and Ukrainians probably don’t know anything about its existence. For them, this is, at best, a transit point. Bialystok always remains a little in the shadow - be it the shadow of other Polish cities or, for example, the shadow of its own shops.
This is largely why I wanted to write this article, to show you that in addition to Auchan, the Felicity Atrium and the Alpha shopping center, you can also find a lot of interesting things here. Just imagine, you come to Bialystok, and all the shops in this city are closed. I agree, it sounds scary (and in general it looks like the premise of a movie about a zombie apocalypse). But wait to get upset. Let me show you this city from a slightly different side. What to see in Bialystok? What attractions can be found on the map of this city? And in general, what is the capital of Podlasie in terms of tourist interest? Read about all this below. I'll try to surprise you. Well... You understand... In a good way.
Branicki Palace
If you write something about the sights of Bialystok, then you need to start with a story about this particular place. This is the main star of the Podlasie capital. This palace is located in the very center of the city, so it is not difficult to find. But if anyone is interested, the exact address Jana Kilinskiego, 1.
Okay... Geography sorted out. Now I’ll turn on Wikipedia mode for a moment and tell you a little about the palace itself. It was built by order of Crown Hetman Klementy Branicki and was originally conceived as the “Podlaskiy Versailles” (WOW...what are you, what are you). Construction of the building was completed in 1771. In those days, this palace was not inferior in its sophistication even to the Wilanów Palace in Warsaw. By the way, it was after the construction of this palace that Klementy Branicki managed to achieve the granting of city status to Bialystok. Today this building houses a medical institute.
What to see nearby? This nice arch standing at the entrance to the complex. By the way, I ran around her for about five minutes with a camera and still didn’t know how to photograph her. If you shoot towards the palace, cars constantly appear in the frame. If you shoot in the opposite direction, instead of cars, the picture is spoiled by some square buildings. In general, be careful. In the meantime, I'll move on.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
No... The title is too long. I will simply call it the Red Church. It stands directly opposite the Branicki Palace. Essentially this sweet couple Em-and-ems are the two main attractions of Bialystok.
As for the church, it was built in five years (from 1900 to 1905). As you can imagine, it's even older than the Santa Barbara series. The church looks stylish, but at the same time it constantly does not want to fit into the frame properly. I understand that he doesn’t have his own Instagram. But this is not a reason to spoil others’ shots...
However, okay... Somehow I still managed to photograph it. Some shots in this collection were taken in April 2017 (it was sunny then). Some are almost a year later - in February 2018 (it was winter then).
By the way, when I was in Bialystok for the last time, next to the church building right in the center of the city there was this temporary installation dedicated to the persecution of Polish Jews.
Probably, by the time you find yourself in the capital of Podlasie, it will already be removed. So enjoy the footage. And empathize with the Jews. They got it, of course.
What to see nearby? Monument to Piłsudski (as an example of a man who really knew how to take care of his mustache)…
The Farny Church of Białystok (which is older than the main church next door).
And here are these “smart benches” powered by solar batteries.
More recently, Bialystok television even filmed a separate report about them. They run on solar batteries. And you can even charge your phone from them. Last year I saw similar shops in Bratislava. Now the global series of European show-offs has reached Bialystok. In my opinion, it would be better if the buildings in the center were painted. But what do I understand? I'm not as smart as this bench.
Białystok Town Hall
Attraction No. 3. She is also next door. The original building of the Bialystok City Hall was built in the mid-18th century, but during the Second World War the Germans almost completely destroyed it. The modern building is a replica of the previous one. It was built after the War - in 1958. By the way, the former town hall was erected with the money of the same Klementy Branitsky, who also built the Bialystok Palace located on the next street. I'm not a big fan of history, but it's easy to understand that in those days our old friend Clémence was a very important and respected man. Probably, if in the 18th century there had been an online casino “Azino777” in Poland, it would have been him, and not AKA-47, who would have sung about three axes and so on. I can just imagine him in sunglasses and in the company of half-naked girls. “Everyone says, Clémence, how to raise money”... and so on in the text. Okay... We need to slow down. Let's go back to the town hall again.
What to see nearby? Lipovaya street.
Yes, I know, this is not the most beautiful street in Poland, but for Bialystok it is right in the very center. Such that there is nowhere more central. In fact, all the city’s attractions are concentrated in its area. What else is there? Various cafes, shops and strange monuments. This one is located near the Lewiatan store.
And this one is on the next street (not far from the building of the Bialystok University).
To continue the topic, I’ll post here another photo of a car that belongs to one of the Bialystok beauty salons.
This is not a landmark, of course, but it looks very cool.
Cathedrals and churches in Bialystok
Poland is a religious country. Therefore, there are two different churches, churches and cathedrals on each street. If I start writing a separate paragraph about each of them, this article will be endless, like the series “How I Met Your Mother.” In general, I will tell you about the religious sites of Bialystok in a nutshell.
For example, Nicholas Cathedral– one of the main Orthodox churches in Podlasie. It is located on the same Lipovaya street. It's not difficult to find.
Like another important Bialystok temple - Cathedral of Saint Roch. It is visible from many points in the city (including directly from the station building).
By the way, when I saw it for the first time, I decided that this modernist building was built in our time. But no... They started building it already in 1927, and the work ended already in 1945.
The church tower is 83 meters high. And at its top there is a three-meter statue of the Virgin Mary (although in appearance it seems smaller). Personally, I am wary of three-meter women, so I never went inside the church. Maybe in vain... In 2011, a special plaque was erected there in memory of the victims of the crash of the Polish president’s plane, which fell near Smolensk. It would probably be worth looking at her with at least one eye.
As for other religious buildings in Bialystok, it is worth writing about the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord.
Its spiers can be seen in the distance when you walk towards Auchan. To tell the truth, I was too lazy to walk to this church myself. And we didn’t have much time left. Therefore, the photo used in the article was taken by me from the Internet. I hope its author will not be offended by me. Photo from the site fluidi.pl.
Gallery "Alpha"
Yes, I remember that at the beginning of the article I said that I would not write about shopping centers. But to write about Bialystok and not mention (at least briefly) its main point of attraction would be almost criminal. Moreover, this shopping center differs from all others not only in its wider selection of brands, but also in its unusual history. The thing is that the Alpha Gallery was once an old toy (or rather plush) factory. The original building was erected back in 1895 by an industrialist named Becker. It existed in this form until 2006, when the enterprise was closed and the building was sold under the hammer. Work on the creation of the shopping center began a year later (it was led by the company JWK-Invest, whose architects later even received some kind of cool Polish award for this project). In fact, the old building was built inside the new one. Thus, elements of the former factory, as well as the brick stables that were located next to it, became part of the new shopping center. It turned out great. At least I really love this place. Just recently they sold me new jeans for 12 rubles. In Bershke. When will we have such prices? Aw!
Endgame
I will end here. That's it - no further attractions. Although, probably, I could still write a few words about Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the Augustow Canal and other interesting places in the “Bialystok region”. Some time ago, I once read in a book that there are 4 national parks on the territory of Podlasie (which is not found in any other part of Poland). But I personally haven’t been there myself, so I’m keeping quiet about it for now. If the local tourism department arranges for me some kind of blog tour of the most interesting places in the region, then we’ll talk. In the meantime, I’ll write about more practical things that will probably be useful to you during this trip. Below are some tips.
Apartments and hotels in Bialystok
Personally, during our last two trips to this city, we rented apartments on the AIRBNB website. We were unlucky with the first one (it was dirty, so the site’s support service even returned half the money for it). Another thing is the apartment that we rented quite recently - in February 2018. I really liked her. A few photos as confirmation. It is located in the very center of the city. The Branicki Palace is less than a kilometer from here.
If you, like us, go to Bialystok for shopping and decide to spend the night there before returning home, you can also look for apartments on this site. Are you not registered there yet? Then you can do it using this link (in this case you will immediately receive a small bonus).
As for hotels, there are relatively few of them in Bialystok. Next, I will provide you with a few tips to make your search easier.
HotelTURKUS– located directly opposite Auchan and the Leroy Merlin construction hypermarket. Very convenient if you are out shopping. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive.
Hotel Golebiewski Bialystok– one of the best hotels in the city. Located right in the center. It costs expensive. But it has its own swimming pool, sauna, slides for children, hot tubs and other pleasures (such as a salt cave). The hotel itself has 4 star status. The price also includes a cool buffet breakfast and a nightclub with billiards. If you want to have a relaxing weekend in Bialystok, consider this option. I've only been to this hotel once. But it’s cool there, of course.
HotelBranicki– another cool hotel in Bialystok with a free sauna and hydromassage. Just right for a romantic weekend. You'll walk around the city, do some great shopping, and in the evening you'll relax in a bathtub with a hydromassage. Great option. The hotel is located near the main street, within walking distance from the Alpha shopping center. Reviews on Booking – 9.4 out of 10. Guests praise the local breakfasts and call the hotel an excellent place to relax.
For those who are traveling to Bialystok “on a budget” or are simply visiting this city only while passing through, I can also give some advice. I think they will be relevant for those who usually spend only a couple of hours in this city. Further point by point.
Free Internet. In McDonald's opposite the bus station building. You can buy yourself a mug of coffee and pass the time well while you wait for your train or bus. Free wi-fi can also be found in the Białystok railway station building.
It is located behind the bus station - right next to the railway tracks. Cross to the other side of the bridge - and you are there.
Free luggage storage. Let me start with the fact that storage lockers at the Bialystok bus station cost 12-14 zlotys. But if you wish, you can easily save this amount by leaving things in storage boxes at the nearby Kaufland hypermarket. You won't miss it - it's located right behind the car park (to the left of the bus station).
The storage drawers here are simply gigantic, so all your bags will fit comfortably. The main thing is to have a 2 zloty coin with you (without it the cell will not close). After that, everything is simple: put your things down, pick up the key and walk into the city lightly.
Free toilets are located there (in the Kaufland store near the bus station).
Where to eat cheaply in Bialystok? Personally, I like this restaurant “Kuchnia Domowa. Bar Merino.
It is located on Kalinovsky Street (about a kilometer from the station building and at the same distance from the city center). A salad with meatballs costs 8 zlotys here. A set lunch (first, second and compote) will cost you 12-13 zlotys. The food is very tasty. Locals come to this cafe in droves.
Do you know any other interesting tricks that may be useful during a trip to Bialystok? Leave your tips in the comments. I will only be happy to supplement this material with some new points. In the meantime, I will say goodbye. Have a nice trip and happy shopping everyone.
TOUR GUIDE AROUND THE CITY
Fikoland is an entertainment center for children. There is a children's room with many outdoor and board games. There is a cafe for parents where they can relax and unwind. Both you and your children will definitely not remain indifferent on this planet of childhood and carefreeness! Address: Handlowa 1, 15-399 Białystok, Poland. A weekend with children is a holiday for any person. This holiday should be spent usefully. If mom wants to go to the theater, and dad wants to watch a movie, then let everyone spend the time at their own discretion. It may happen that the parents want to visit some friends, but the child declares that he will not go with them. However, you can think in advance about how to spend the weekend with your children so that everyone has fun. And you should plan your vacation with your child even more in advance. How to spend time with children with some ideas? You can go to the zoo with your whole family. There the child will continue to get acquainted with the animal world. Parents will also be interested there. You can also go to a puppet theater for a children's production. Not only the child, but also the parents will like it there. They will be able to be in the world of childhood.
Muzeum Historyczne - Oddział Muzeum Podlaskiego. A huge museum with models of the city. Very realistic and interesting. It is possible to take a guide who will tell you in detail about the layout and history of the city from the beginning of its foundation to the present. Address: Warszawska 37, 15-001 Białystok, Poland.
PHOTOS
Centrum im. Ludwika Zamenhofa. A museum with a special interactive learning area for children. There are many logic games collected here. Various seminars, exhibitions and conferences are often held inside. Definitely worth a visit. Address: Warszawska 19, 15-001 Białystok, Poland. Well, of course, don’t forget about the offers of low-cost airlines. Their reliability is no less than that of conventional airlines, and the price is much more reasonable. Although there are cases that a company that is not a budget company offers more favorable conditions on any route. If there are no tickets for a given destination, you can take advantage of the fact that an unredeemed reservation appears two days and one day before the flight departure. Few parents who are used to active recreation will like it if something breaks their habits. And even more so, a child will not cause the trip to be cancelled. But three is always more fun! So moms and dads decide to show their child the world he came into just a couple of months ago.
SHOPPING
CULINARY FEATURES OF BIALYSTOCK
Esperanto offers delicious tea, coffee, hearty dishes and sweet desserts. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff. Address: rynek Kościuszki 10, 15-426 Białystok, Poland. Resta… Atrium White. The largest and most popular shopping center in the city. All the necessary stores are collected under one roof. All sellers are Russian speaking. There are seasonal sales and you can save a lot of money. Address: Czesława Miłosza 2, 15-265 Białystok, Poland. Outlet Center. A shopping center claiming to be an outlet. There is not much choice yet, but if you want to rummage around and look for things, you are welcome! The assortment will be replenished and completely re-opened soon. Address: Narodowych Sił Zbrojnych 15B, 15-690 Białystok, Poland. Shopping in another country involves some risk, which can be circumvented by following some rules from generally accepted statements. Firstly, you shouldn’t buy at the first store that catches your eye. Most likely, there are a lot of stores where the price is much lower and the assortment is much wider. Naturally, it will be a shame to stumble upon such a store when you have already purchased an item at exorbitant prices in the first store you come across. You should not make rash purchases that you may later regret. By collecting two dozen magnets, you can waste a large amount there will simply be no money left for necessary needs. It’s better to think about every purchase before you pay any amount for it. This way you can avoid unforeseen complications from a financial point of view. The most interesting thing is that many people neglect to buy in small stores and go to shopping centers, which are becoming more and more popular every year. Their popularity is due to the fact that they perfectly contain everything that a modern buyer needs. Here you can find children's play complexes with professional animators, where you can leave your child under supervision with peace of mind. There is a powder room, beauty salons, and even separate nail and makeup salons. The rest of the time can be spent shopping, of which there are usually a lot. And if you get tired, you can relax on the playgrounds or refresh yourself at the food courts. If you don’t want to eat fast food, then go to the restaurant or coffee shop located here. You can choose the right dish and relax after exhausting shopping. Drawing an analogy of modern society as a consumer society. You involuntarily realize what important role Shopping began to play a role in our lives. This can bring undoubted benefits to those who sell and buy. If you take the situation correctly, you can buy goods at serious discounts by haggling for them. But not every country and not every city allows bargaining. Sometimes, this may be considered unforgivable rudeness or taunting towards the seller or the store itself. Avoid conflict situations and try to find out as much as possible about the chosen country before going shopping in a market square or a modern shopping center. Treat sellers and other visitors with respect to avoid problems and conflict situations, and don’t miss the opportunity to purchase city attractions recreated in miniature.
What to see in Bialystok in 1 day or a few hours during a layover. Main attractions of the city and photos.
This is my first story about my first budget independent trip. Bialystok was not the main purpose of the trip, but it was the first city explored independently outside of Belarus.
In reality, this story was slightly revised 2 years later. I did this because I couldn’t look at my first auditions without shame. And the main factor was my presence in every photo. How can you brag about yourself like that and become an eyesore? So don't be surprised to see photos taken at different times.
In addition to the revision of this story, it was written completely new material, where I tried to talk about the sights on a larger scale.
Road Gomel - Bialystok
I live in Gomel, so getting to Bialystok on a budget means making several transfers. It is best to make a transfer to Grodno, then the entire journey takes about 17 hours, and the cost will be only 10-11 €. At the same time, the transfer schedule to Grodno fits perfectly.
This may be hard for some to believe, but it is true. More details about the road with schedules and prices are described in the instructions. Having left Gomel at 17 pm, you will find yourself in Bialystok at 8-9 am local time.
Bialystok on the eve of holidays in Poland
I would like to draw attention to those who are planning to travel to Poland on the eve of holidays. This was my first mistake due to inexperience, try not to make it, check the calendar of holidays in Poland.
What you might encounter on your day off:
- The minibus driver reports that almost all flights to Bialystok have been canceled due to a holiday in Poland (All Saints' Day). But my flight is not cancelled, strangely enough, perhaps due to the fact that the tickets were purchased a month before departure. The minibus left on schedule, which means everything is in order, and there’s one less problem.
- Now the second problem - because of All Saints' Day, shops and markets were closed, and this is my first trip to. And why lie to the border guards in this case? It was decided to tell the truth, but not the whole “I’m going to Warsaw to relax and go shopping for a few days.”
- All catering is closed and exchange offices are not working. If you are traveling for the first time, then you most likely will not have Polish zlotys. Read how I dealt with this problem at the very end of the story.
Passage of the Belarus-Poland border
The border was practically empty because of the holiday; I never saw it like that again during all my subsequent trips. After the border of the Republic of Belarus, the driver traditionally stopped at DutyFree. I didn’t need anything, which the driver took advantage of by buying alcohol for my quota.
And here is the Polish checkpoint. The lady border guard took the passport and saw that I was going for the first time and asked in surprise “for shopping?” I nod my head, say “Yes” instead of the Polish “So” and add the memorized text “To Warsaw for a walk and shopping for 2 days.” After that, they asked to show “100 daliars,” when she saw the money, “Pani” calmed down, took her passport and went to get a stamp.
Accommodation in Bialystok
I didn't stay in the city this trip, but I did so several times on subsequent trips. So I'll share my little experience.
Once I spent the night in one of the most luxurious hotels for the price of a hostel and wrote a separate article about it. If you book this hotel, don’t forget about what you can save up to 25%.
Two more times in Bialystok I rented private housing. Once a room, which with help cost me 2-3 €, although now this room is not rented out, and the coupons are no longer valid. The second time it was a full-fledged apartment, about which a separate story was also written -.
What to see in Bialystok
We arrive in Bialystok at the bus station, where I take my first photo in Europe as a souvenir. After all, this is my first time in Europe on my own, without any travel agencies with a self-issued visa. You can read how I applied for Schengen for 2 years.
Today, this is already a historical photo, since the station was demolished in 2017 and a new one will soon be opened in its place, hopefully more comfortable and warm. The old station was almost not heated and it was always cold, but as you can see from the photo, I didn’t come in the summer.
Since we are talking about history, then I will add a photo of the station from the inside, which was not in the original story.
The old station does not at all correspond to the title “What to see in Bialystok”, so let’s return to the attractions. Before writing about the city itself, I want to say that I only had 3 hours to explore before the next bus to Warsaw.
This will be a demonstration walk for those who will also be waiting for a transplant. If you are in the city for the first time, like me, then you should not sit and wait at the station.
Sights of Bialystok
As you can see from the map, the duration of the route is a maximum of 1.5 hours. It’s worth adding a little time for photos and a short snack. In total, a maximum of 2 hours is enough to go through the most interesting things in the city.
Point No. 1 Bus station has already been written above. A minibus comes here from Grodno. From the first point we will head to No. 2 Cathedral. The road to the cathedral takes 15-20 minutes on foot and here it is the main church of Bialystok - .
The photo of the cathedral, like many of the photos below, is much more recent than the trip itself. I couldn’t leave the old photographs taken with a soap camera in cloudy weather, when it takes pictures very poorly.
Located very close to the cathedral monument to Pope John Paul II , whose homeland is Poland. If you look closely, you can see it in the photo to the right of the cathedral.
Market Square
Those who have been to Bialystok may be surprised to think - How could you miss the market square? I can’t answer this question myself, let’s chalk it up to the excitement that captured me from the first impressions so much that I didn’t always see what was under my nose. To make up for this, I will provide a photo from the following trips.
Branicki Palace
On the first trip, even such little things as the Atlas holding the earth seemed interesting.
After the palace I head to the local park. In the park, due to the evergreen fir trees, it seemed that it was only early autumn. But I will show the photo in summer, when everything looks much prettier.
This is the beauty that awaited me in the park. Small pond with big amount ducks in it. There was no one else in the park and it turned out that it was not I who was looking at the ducks, but they who were looking at me.
To be honest, they were waiting for me to feed them. The ducks hoped so much for this that some of them came out of the lake and followed me for some time along the asphalt road and begged for food.
The allotted few hours to explore the city were coming to an end, and it was necessary to return. Heading towards the station, we passed an interesting mask and a puppet theater. Although these two places are located at a distance from each other, they are probably somehow connected.
It took about 10 minutes to walk from the Puppet Theater to the station. Before leaving, there was still time and the last problem had to be solved. It was a holiday in Poland and nothing was working. I had no zlotys with me, only currency, and the exchangers did not work. I really wanted to eat, but everyone who was open refused to even sell kebab for “dalyars” and they didn’t have a terminal either.
The only thing that worked was McDonalds. There was no choice, but it was a little scary to go there, because... I have never eaten at McDonalds and I know that you have to quickly order there, and not stand with your mouth open and choose. I didn't want to look awkward.
I was lucky, McDonalds was empty, so I didn’t have to rush to choose. The language barrier was overcome simply by pointing a finger at the picture. At the same time, I used WiFi and found out that the toilets have combination locks, but my ingenuity did not fail me, the password was on the receipt.
Cost of travel to Bialystok
- Road – 10€. From Minsk it will be cheaper or the same, more details about this in the instructions. Share:
City, Poland - the capital of the Podlasie Voivodeship with a population of about 300 thousand people. “Green lungs” in the north-east of the Polish state, the sights of Bialystok attract tourists from different countries, and the town itself is famous for its abundance of cultural treasures and shopping areas.
The fusion of many nations, religions, traditions and customs left their mark on the ancient settlement. Poles, Jews, Germans, Lithuanians, and Belarusians from Bialystok have long lived here side by side. Plus Tatars, Russians, Ukrainians and Gypsies. Today, the sights of Bialystok number about 250 objects, which is not surprising - since 1437, the date of the first mention of the city, cultural values have been accumulated and preserved here.
Bialystok: sights and overview
Brief overview and description of the city of Bialystok
Bialystok Poland: attractions
If your goal is not a visit to, but the sights of Bialystok (inspecting the monuments and architectural values of the city), then it is better to start the excursion from the station, where nearby the Church of St. Roch beckons with its snow-white 83-meter tower reaching into the sky. Against the backdrop of modest Bialystok buildings, the unusual temple, built in the Art Nouveau Expressionist style, seems almost festive. It was erected in gratitude to God's Providence for the independence of the Polish state in 1918. A statue of Christ greets visitors right in front of the entrance, and there is a free observation deck in the high tower.
It starts from the temple, although the name no longer justifies the appearance of the alley. Instead of the centuries-old linden trees that grew here before the war, you can now see residential buildings with small shops on the ground floors. The “Journey” monument, which is a wheel entwined with roses that “rolls” through the efforts of fairy-tale characters, is probably the most noticeable sculpture on Lipovaya Street. 
Sights of Bialystok: churches of Bialystok
The Church of the Resurrection of the Lord is an elegant snow-white building, visible from afar on the way to. It’s worth visiting, if only to see the rounded walls with luxurious stucco molding and take a great photo.
Farny Church, also known as the Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary, is undoubtedly an architectural treasure and the best Bialystok landmark for visitors. The blood-red building is a copy of the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Florian in Warsaw. This is the most majestic temple, in the Gothic style with Renaissance elements. The cathedral consists of two parts: the Old Church (XVII century) and the New Church (built at the beginning of the last century).
The Cathedral is not only a place of worship, but also a center of cultural and Orthodox events. Organ concerts are often held here, and everyone can see with their own eyes the most beautiful frescoes and statues installed in front and on the sides of the main building in honor of important historical events and famous citizens of Poland.
Other interesting temples and churches in Bialystok
Poles are very devout, as evidenced by the variety of churches, churches and cathedrals. Each street must have 1-2 religious buildings from different eras.
- The Church of St. Mary Magdalene Bialystok, one of the oldest churches in the city that has survived to this day, welcomes believers on the territory of the Central City Park. The baroque temple was originally erected in 1758, as a Catholic roadside chapel in honor of St. Mary Magdalene, at the expense of Jan Klemens Branicki. Until the 19th century, the church was located outside the city, surrounded by a cemetery, from which several tombstones remain to this day.
- Nicholas Cathedral in Bialystok on the same Lipovaya Street amazes with its monumental appearance and is considered one of the main Bialystok shrines. The cathedral, consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas, where you can light a candle and pray for an easy journey, is famous among parishioners. Beautiful frescoes, relics of the baby Gabriel and Byzantine paintings in the interior decoration found a lively response in the hearts of believers from around the world.
- The modern Church of the Holy Spirit, Bialystok is very impressive, laconic and geometrically correct. This is the largest Polish temple of the Greek Orthodox Church. The main wealth is the wonderful frescoes made with vibrant colors. Yellow-brown and golden shades dominate here, which contributes to a soft and homely prayer atmosphere. According to parishioners, interior decoration compares favorably with the Catholic Church of St. Roch, which seems rather cold.
Bialystok photo Cities
Cultural holidays in Bialystok
The central square of Bialystok, called the Kosciuszko Market, is of interest as a center of cultural events. In the center of the square is the building of the City Hall, in the late Baroque style, erected at the expense of J. K. Branitsky. The city museum, ethnographic laboratory and art studio on the territory of the town hall attract crowds of visitors every day. By the way, the popular building is often depicted on tourist postcards and magnets. Still, for the city, the Town Hall, despite the lack of administrative functions, is important, and the Poles are proud of it.
The attractions of Bialystok rightfully include:
- The Bialystok Opera attracts the attention of theatergoers not only with its performances, but also with its interior. The glass and concrete building, considered one of the most modernly equipped in Europe, is equipped with glass stairs. This “trick” greatly amused numerous visitors. In addition, the Bialystok Philharmonic is focused on holding diverse events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses, festivals, etc.
- The Piaskover Synagogue in Białystok, also known as the Burnt Synagogue Monument, is one of the important points on the walking route, as part of the perpetuation of Jewish heritage in the city. It is logical that in Bialystok, which brought together so many different faiths, there was once a Jewish center of public worship and religious life. What remains of the original interior are two cast iron columns that supported the synagogue ark and gallery, located today behind the reception desk. The original shape of the building, ceilings and window openings also remained unchanged, but currently the Bialystok Esperantist Association of Zamenhof, the famous Polish linguist, is located here.
- Bialystok Puppet Theater - performances here are truly a unique phenomenon. Every season, the puppet theater puts on 3-5 performances for children and adults, as well as experimental shows. Moreover, it is not necessary to know Polish; the actors’ gestures and emotions clearly convey the character of the work. The use of various technologies transforms familiar classics into a wonderful and exciting journey into the world of dolls. Most productions are carried out as part of the collaboration of Polish and foreign artists and directors.
Sights of Bialystok: Branicki Palace
Sights of Bialystok, photos with descriptions, would be incomplete without mentioning Branicki Palace. The palace is perhaps the most famous architectural value of the town. A very colorful place, where masterpiece sculptures and several fountains are collected on one territory. Behind the palace is a beautiful two-level park in English and French styles.
The so-called “Podlasie Versailles” today is the Medical University of Bialystok (official website). Undoubtedly, a walk along well-groomed paths along chic flower beds and water jets will be memorable. Nearby, the Museum of the History of Medicine and Pharmaceuticals is open to the public, and if you book an excursion there, you can also see the interior decoration of the Branicki residence.
Parks in Bialystok
Bialystok Palace and its park, of course, are beyond competition in beauty and grace. However, there are several other interesting natural attractions. So, Park Planty is not so magnificent, but it is quite possible to take a break from the bustle of the city, contemplating a small pond and fountains.
Park Zwierzyniecki is famous for its shady alleys shaded by centuries-old deciduous trees. Zwierzyniecki is connected to the Constitution Park and Zoo with a convenient bike path. The area is great for hiking and cycling, surrounded by oak, birch and beech trees.
How to get there?
Nine road and railway routes intersect in the Polish border town. The strategic St. Petersburg-Warsaw railway line, built in 1862, runs through the entire territory. By the way, the station with more than 150 years of history was named the most beautiful in Poland in 2008. From Grodno you can get here by train to Krakow, and from Vilnius and Kaunas there are buses to Lviv and Warsaw. Belarusians most often come to Bialystok through Baranavichy, passing the border in Bobrowniki.
Where to stay?
The city, which daily receives hundreds of tourists from the CIS countries who come to buy bargains in the shopping centers of Bialystok, has a developed network of hotels and boarding houses. Thus, the famous Hotel i Restauracja Belweder at Choroszcz, Porosly-Kolonia 1H is ready to receive dear guests at any time of the day or night. It offers clients 40 rooms with Wi-Fi access, as well as a swimming pool, restaurant, barbecue area and a cozy veranda. Free parking, luggage storage, incl. a safe, a children's playground and many other comfortable options make you feel at home.
There are other hotels with different levels services - from hostel to VIP accommodation, for every taste and budget.
Bialystok in the Middle Ages
According to archaeological surveys along the Byala River, the first settlers in the territory of modern Bialystok appeared in the Stone Age. The medieval history of the village of Bialystok began with the transfer of lands near the river to Ratsko Tabutovich. White by the King of Poland Casimir Jagiellonczyk in 1437.
Since then, the town was transferred “from hand to hand” several times: to the Veselovsky family (1547), to the domain of the Kingdom of Poland (1645), to Stefan Czarnecki (1661), to the Branicki family (1665). The last owners, namely Stefan Nikolai Branitsky, built the first palace in 1692, procuring Magdeburg law for their town. And already in 1749, King Augustus III confirmed this right for Bialystok, Poland.
Thanks to these historical manipulations, Bialystok is where different cultures and traditions, tastes and preferences meet former owners. The town flourished during the reign of Hetman Klementy Branitsky. His magnificent courtyard welcomed scientists and artists from all over the Old World.
By the mid-19th century, cloth factories were built in the Bialystok area, turning the tiny village into the textile center of Podlasie. The population of Bialystok has grown rapidly: from 14 thousand people. in 1857 to 66 thousand people in 1901. However, most of the people came here only to earn money during the daytime.
Bialystok XX century
Bialystok Wikipedia details the eventful history of the Polish city in the 20th century. Both the First and Second World Wars left their mark on the appearance and cultural heritage. Here's what the famous reference book says:
- On August 13, 1915, Bialystok was taken by the German army after a fierce struggle;
- In March 1918 it became part of the Belarusian People's Republic;
- In July 1918 it passed to Lithuania, and in the winter of the following year it was again captured by Poland.
- On July 28, 1920, it was recaptured by the Red Army, and a month later it was returned to the control of the Polish state.
It seems that frequent changes of power - business card region. The “fashion” for the transfer of Bialystok lands continued during the Second World War:
“In the autumn of 1939, the Germans captured Bialystok, but handed it over to the USSR, according to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. On 12/04/1939 it turned out to be the capital of the Bialystok region. Belarusian Soviet Republic, and on June 27, 1941 it was retaken by the Germans...
...In July 1944, the Red Army liberated the city from the Nazis and re-annexed it to Belarus. In September 1944, Bialystok and its surrounding areas were transferred to Poland as part of a population exchange with the Soviet Union..."
Bialystok photos of the city in its modern form cannot convey the shocks that local residents continually faced. Currently, the city looks very European: with cozy narrow streets and medieval-style buildings. Today, nothing reminds us that Bialystok was a prisoner of war camp, except for the military cemetery on Tsiolkovsky and other monuments to the most terrible page in the history of the twentieth century.