Discover Pertikau: Old Town, History and Workshops

Pertikau (Piotrków Trybunalski) showcases the city’s history in a variety of settings: at the medieval Rynek, among remnants of the city walls, in the Royal Castle and at two sanctuaries. There is also a long-established planetarium and workshops on marzipan and ice cream.

Market Square, Castle and City Walls

Rynek Trybunalski is the focal point of the medieval city layout. The Old Town includes around 100 historic buildings. The Old Town area includes Rynek Trybunalski and the streets of Grodzka, Konarskiego, Szewska, Łazienna Mokra, Sieradzka, Rwańska, Pijarska, Farna and Rycerska, as well as plac Czarnieckiego and parts of Krakowskie Przedmieście and Wojska-Polskiego Street.

The outline of the former town hall is marked in the paving of Rynek. A plaque commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Tribunal, whose seat was the Piotrków town hall. The Royal Castle was built from 1512 to 1519 by Master Benedykt of Sandomierz, commissioned by Sigismund I the Old.

The city walls tell the story of another period of construction: work began in the 14th century and was completed towards the end of that century thanks to a foundation by Queen Jadwiga. Only three short sections of the former fortifications remain today. The Rynek and the town hall markings point to the city’s institutional history; the castle and remnants of the walls represent different periods in its architectural history.

Museum, Planetarium and Film History

The museum in Pertikau features the permanent exhibition “The Role of Piotrków Trybunalski in the History of the Polish State”. A dedicated way to explore astronomy is the planetarium at the Bolesław Chrobry I General Secondary School. It began operating on 10 October 1981 and was the first amateur planetarium in Poland. It presents popular science astronomy shows. Check specific dates and access arrangements before planning a visit.

The city also has a film history: since 1957, Piotrków has repeatedly served as a filming location for Polish and foreign productions over a period of more than 50 years; scenes for more than 20 films were shot here. The Piotrków Film Trail runs through the immediate city centre. This brings together a permanent film theme in the urban landscape and a filming-location history that has developed over several decades.

Sanctuaries and Religious History

The Jesuit Church of St Francis Xavier is also the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Trybunalska. She is the patron of Polish parliamentarians and a place of prayer for those responsible for political affairs. The image venerated there has played an important role in Piotrków for almost 500 years. Among those who prayed before it were King Stephen Báthory, other monarchs, deputies and senators.

Another sanctuary is located in the Bernardine monastery of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Piotrków. The venerated image was painted in 1625 and has been in a side altar of the Bernardine church ever since. The two religious sites thus represent different forms of Marian devotion within the city.

Beer, Marzipan and Ice Cream

Beer has been brewed in Piotrków since the city was founded; over the centuries, exceptionally large quantities were produced there, even by Polish standards. The oldest surviving written reference to Piotrków beer dates from 1487. At the time, King Casimir IV Jagiellon confirmed the rights of Piotrków merchants.

At Rynek Trybunalski 2, Muzeum Marcepanów offers workshops lasting about an hour. Participants make their own marzipan from natural ingredients. As workshop availability may change, check the dates in advance. Muzeum Lodów at Rynek Trybunalski 9 offers ice cream workshops. According to the stated policy, from November to April admission is only for organised groups; confirm the visiting conditions and workshop dates to suit your travel dates. For the marzipan workshop, the approximate duration is a useful planning detail; at the ice cream museum, the seasonal group policy is the main factor shaping a visit.

Getting There and Finding Accommodation

Piotrków is served by the Warsaw–Katowice–Vienna railway line and is also an important national road transport hub. If travelling by train, check the timetable for your travel date. A cycling network map is also available for Piotrków; as network information may change, verify the details before planning a specific route.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Pertikau, your planned activities can help you decide where to stay: would you like to focus on the city’s history, are you particularly interested in astronomy shows, or are you planning a workshop?

Discover more destinations: Łowicz, Opoczno, Piotrków County, Kutno, Zgierz, Tomaszów County, Brzeziny, Łask.

Go to the main travel overview: Lodz.