Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Kielce, Poland

As the capital of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Kielce is renowned for its rich history stemming from abundant metal and stone deposits. For over 600 years, this city was governed by the Bishops of Kraków, who erected a castle adjacent to the market square.

In the 17th century, the structure was transformed into a Mannerist palace, which has remarkably withstood the test of time. Nestled within the Świętokrzyskie Mountains—one of Europe’s oldest mountain ranges—Kielce benefits from extensive mineral resources that have been extracted for centuries. The southern outskirts of the city feature natural reserves from former quarries, alongside a show cave that was comprehensively mapped for the first time only a decade ago.

Let us review the most notable attractions in Kielce:

1. Palace of the Kraków Bishops

Kielce’s most significant historical structure is the summer residence constructed for Bishop Jakub Zadzik of Kraków from 1637 to 1644. Designed by Tommaso Poncino of Lugano, this Mannerist palace features a loggia adorned with marble columns and four hexagonal domed towers positioned at its corners.

Above the loggia’s arches, cartouches display the heraldic symbols of Bishop Zadzik, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Kraków chapter.

At the back lies a geometric Italian garden enclosed by quince, cherry, and apple trees.

Although its design was modified in the late 18th century, the garden was restored in 2003 to reflect its mid-17th-century Mannerist layout. Ramparts, a powder tower, and bastions continue to encircle and protect the summit of Castle Hill.

2. National Museum

Since 1975, this palace has served as a branch of the National Museum. It offers visitors a comprehensive overview of Polish and Western European art spanning from the 1600s to the 1900s, alongside collections of decorative arts, numismatics, and historical weaponry.

The assortment of artworks encompasses a wide range of styles, including Baroque, Rococo portrait art, Realism, and Impressionism.

Noteworthy artists represented include Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder, Olga Boznańska, Leopold Gottlieb, Aleksander Gierymski, and Józef Chełmoński.

This rich collection is further enhanced by the interior architecture, characterized by its original decor, marble busts, grand fireplaces, and elaborately painted ceiling beams.

As of late 2017, some sections of the exhibition were undergoing renovations, anticipated to be completed in early 2019.

3. Ulica Henryka Sienkiewicza

Established in the 1820s, Ulica Henryka Sienkiewicza serves as Kielce’s main thoroughfare, seamlessly integrating shopping and dining options with turn-of-the-century architectural aesthetics.

The street underwent pedestrianization and renovations in the 2000s, stretching diagonally for nearly 1.3 kilometers from the train station at Plac Niepodległości to Plac Moniuszki.

A significant number of stuccoed houses and municipal buildings along this route boast protection under the Polish register of monuments.

On an average summer day, visitors can enjoy vibrant market stalls, street performers, and outdoor seating for cafes, bars, and ice cream vendors.

This thoroughfare is named in honor of Nobel Prize-winning author Henryk Sienkiewicz, with a monument crafted by renowned sculptor Kazimierz Gustaw Zemła unveiled in 2010.

4. Kielce Cathedral

Situated in the heart of Wzgórzu Zamkowym (Castle Hill), this cathedral, along with its bell tower, dominates the skyline amidst Kielce’s low-rise structures.

The current edifice dates back to the mid-1200s, following the destruction of an earlier church by Tatars.

Remnants of the original structure can still be observed alongside the prevailing 18th-century Baroque architectural elements.

The vivid painted patterns that adorn the walls of the three naves date back to 1892. Notable is the Rococo high altar, sculpted by Kraków artisans in the mid-18th century, featuring an 1730 painting of Our Lady of the Assumption.

5. Museum of Toys and Play

Located within a 19th-century market hall at Plac Wolności, the Museum of Toys and Play is the largest institution of its kind in Poland.

Visitors should allocate sufficient time to explore over several thousand exhibits spanning more than 630 square meters of display space.

With both indoor and outdoor play areas available during the summer months, the museum promotes interactive engagement.

Young visitors will be fascinated by a vast collection of model cars, train sets, dolls, and puppets, many of which offer interactive experiences.

Adults can discover the toys that captivated children from the 1700s to the 1800s, as well as during the era of the Polish People’s Republic.

6. Kadzielnia

The mineral-rich Świętokrzyskie Mountains are integrated into Kielce, with one peak bordering the city to the south.

This area can be accessed through a network of parks and promenades that begin at the city center.

As the landscape transitions to rockier terrain, visitors will encounter the Podziemna Trasa Turystyczna (Underground Tourist Route), featuring three interconnected limestone caves initially uncovered centuries ago during limestone quarrying operations.

The system underwent proper exploration only a decade ago, and upon confirming its safety, a 160-meter walking path was established in 2012. Guided tours highlight features such as stalagmites, stalactites, and Devonian fossils (up to 420 million years old) from sea plants, brachiopods, corals, and cephalopods.

7. Rynek (Market Square)

Flanked on its western side by the Neoclassical city hall, Kielce’s historic Market Square has served as the administrative nucleus of the city since the mid-14th century.

The surrounding historic building facades were erected later, predominantly in the 1700s and 1800s.

The most picturesque among these is located just left of the city hall at the corner of Ulica Mała.

Notable for its blue-painted surface and small arcade featuring a cafe, this building dates back to 1767 and was previously owned by the cook of Bishop Kajetan Sołtyk of Kraków.

Significantly, the square underwent renovations in 2011 when it was re-paved and traffic was removed, enhancing its pedestrian-friendly ambiance.

At its center lies the outline of the original town hall, constructed in the 16th century and destroyed by fire in 1800.

8. Dworek Laszczyków

For an authentic glimpse into the folk culture of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, visit this traditional wooden manor house situated on Ulica Jana Pawła II along the southern slope of Castle Hill.

Built from larch wood and resting on a stone and brick foundation, this structure features a prominent hipped roof and dates back to 1788. It serves as the headquarters of the Muzeum Wsi Kieleckiej (Kielce Rural Museum), which has additional locations at farms and windmills in the vicinity.

Inside its four rooms, ethnographic exhibits showcase various aspects of historical life in the region, complemented by interior decorations reflecting a typical 19th-century farmhouse.

9. Kościół św. Wojciecha

Set amidst ancient trees and conveniently located near the center of Kielce, this Baroque church features three significant paintings by the notable 19th-century historical and religious artist, Jan Styka.

Completed in 1889, these artworks depict the Multiplication of Bread, St. Rosalia, and St. Francis, and are prominently displayed in the chancel altars.

The current building, erected in the latter half of the 18th century, stands on the site of a wooden church that existed in the 12th century.

The square in front, Plac Świętego Wojciecha, is historically significant, having witnessed a tragic event in 1943 when members of the Home Army (Resistance) were executed by firing squad, with a portion of the wall from the execution preserved.

10. Karczówka

Dominating the southwest skyline of Kielce is a 340-meter hill composed of Devonian limestone.

This hill, covered with pine trees—many of which are approximately 150 years old—reveals remnants of old mine shafts and ditches on its southern and western slopes.

Near the summit, a Bernardine monastery awaits, which we will detail shortly, alongside a memorial for the January Uprising of 1863-64 against the Russian Empire.

Moreover, a brief yet steep trek to the crest offers stunning views of Kielce’s skyline and the breathtaking Świętokrzyskie Mountains.

11. Karczówka Monastery

Following Kielce’s reprieve from a plague outbreak in 1622, Bishop Marcin Szyszkowski commissioned the construction of this monastery as a votive recognition.

The monastery was ravaged by Swedish forces shortly thereafter in 1655 and underwent a significant redesign in the early 18th century after its reconstruction.

Distinguished by two copper-domed cupolas, the single-nave church is adorned with bold Rococo elements.

Of particular note is St. Barbara’s chapel located beneath the main tower, featuring a statue of the saint made from three substantial lead pieces discovered in Karczówka’s mines by a farmer in 1646.

12. Stanisława Staszica Park

Situated at the southern base of Castle Hill, this tranquil municipal park spans over eight hectares.

Descending from the Palace of the Kraków Bishops, visitors are greeted by a sizeable pond located to the west.

Surrounded by lush, towering willow trees and featuring a central fountain, this pond, encompassing more than one hectare, serves as a delightful space for families to feed the ducks.

Adjacent to the Zieliński Palace is an aviary showcasing a variety of rare bird species; additionally, visitors can traverse pathways ensconced in a mature forest comprising over 1,300 chestnut, ash, lime, maple, elm, and acacia trees.

13. Pałac Tomasza Zielińskiego

In the 1850s, prominent art benefactor Tomasz Zieliński took residence in the episcopal palace grounds, where he undertook a redesign of the complex to establish a whimsical Gothic Revival palace with accompanying orangery and gardens.

This was envisioned as a museum for his extensive painting collection and a center of artistic excellence.

Distinguished contemporary painters such as Józef Szermentowski, January Suchodolski, Wojciech Gerson, and Franciszek Kostrzewski often frequented the palace during its heyday.

However, following Zieliński’s demise in 1858, his collection was dispersed.

Since 1985, the palace has been rejuvenated as a cultural center, hosting exhibitions, concerts, fairs, and seminars.

14. Rezerwat Przyrody Wietrznia (Wietrznia Nature Reserve)

Located in the southeastern part of Kielce, another mineral-laden natural reserve awaits exploration.

This 18-hectare park features a canyon-like formation shaped by limestone and dolomite quarries that were actively mined from 1893 to 1974. The interconnected quarries are particularly noteworthy for their wealth of fossils from prehistoric fish, sponges, and other fauna, as well as captivating karst structures.

For an insightful overview of the reserve, visitors can explore the “Geoeducation Centre,” a state-of-the-art facility established in 2011, featuring informative boards and models depicting the appearance of Kielce’s fossilized Devonian flora and fauna, and a “5D” film experience in a specialized capsule.

15. Huta Józef

A short drive north leads to a slice of 19th-century Polish heritage at the ruins of this factory in Samsonów.

Huta Józef was a charcoal-fired steel mill that operated from 1817 until 1866; it was ultimately destroyed by fire following the January Uprising of 1863-64 due to its role in manufacturing arms for the insurgents.

The ruins of Huta Józef were never restored, leaving behind the skeletal remains of the furnace, modelling plant, foundry, and drying room as a poignant memorial within peaceful natural surroundings on the outskirts of the village.