Łowicz: Old Town, Architecture and Księżacy Folklore

Old Town squares with their own character

Stary Rynek is at the heart of Łowicz’s Old Town. Its attractions include the Brama Prymasowska, built in the mid-17th century, and the Renaissance townhouse of the Cebrowski family, with cloisters opening onto the courtyard. Two monuments complete the square: one to the sons of the Łowicz region, erected in 1927, and one to Pope John Paul II, unveiled in 2000. The building and monuments each highlight a different historical period.

Nowy Rynek offers a clear contrast: it is shaped like an equilateral triangle, and its buildings include townhouses dating from the 17th century. While individual named buildings and monuments stand out at Stary Rynek, Nowy Rynek is defined by its triangular shape and historic townhouses. Visitors who want to get to know Łowicz through its squares will find two distinct urban settings here.

Architecture in different forms

The romantic General Klicki complex was built in the early 19th century to a design by K. Krauze. It comprises a defensive tower, a palace, a chapel and a gatehouse. Its four components make it recognisable as a multi-part complex. The town hall offers a different architectural accent and is regarded as one of the most remarkable examples of Neoclassical architecture in Poland. The Piarist Church, in turn, is a Baroque church with a monumental façade. In Łowicz, a complex, a Neoclassical town hall and a church with a striking Baroque façade thus represent different forms of architectural heritage.

Folklore and views

At the Corpus Christi procession, visitors can experience the work of local cultural practitioners and folklore ensembles. The colourful procession is considered a particularly well-known example of living Księżacy folklore. As a recurring religious procession, it differs from the permanently visible buildings: here, local culture is expressed through an event. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the dates in advance.

The viewing terrace on the north tower of the Cathedral Basilica offers another perspective. From there, you can look out over the city and its surroundings. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit. This is especially useful if the terrace is to be a fixed part of your plans.

Culture and routes in the wider Łowicz destination

In the wider Łowicz destination, Muzeum w Łowiczu has permanent exhibitions on the history of the city and region, as well as the ethnography of the Duchy of Łowicz. The former chapel of Saint Charles Borromeo also houses a permanent exhibition of Polish Baroque art. Next to the museum is a small open-air museum with two rural homesteads and a carriage house. These exhibitions and buildings broaden the perspective on cultural history to include art, ethnography and rural architecture.

Folk art is also a defining feature of the wider Łowicz destination: Łowicz and the region are known for multicoloured striped costumes and paper cut-outs. The 2025–2028 city cultural programme lists the food festival “Księżackie Jadło” as a regular part of the cultural calendar. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the event dates.

When choosing a route, two different details can be distinguished. The Szlak Książęcy overlaps with the Łowicz section of the Camino de Santiago for part of its length. The green-marked Szlak Ziemi Łowickiej, 123 kilometres long, runs through the north-western part of Powiat Łowicki and includes Łowicz. The first route is notable for its partial overlap with the Camino de Santiago; the second is described by its length, markings and regional course. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations

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