Discover Krosno: Glass, Craftsmanship and Old Town Culture

Glassmaking and collections

At the Centrum Dziedzictwa Szkła, visitors can get an up-close look at glassmaking, hold a glassmaker’s pipe and try to blow a glass vessel such as a vase. The centre also explains how glass is made and the many ways in which Krosno is connected to the glass industry. If you plan to take part in the hands-on activities, check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.

The Muzeum Rzemiosła is closed until further notice. Its permanent exhibition includes documents on craftsmanship from the 18th to the 20th century, as well as household objects and tools from the 19th and 20th centuries. It has a particular focus on Krosno and the surrounding area. The exhibition “Historia oświetlenia” at the Muzeum Podkarpackie offers a different historical perspective: it features a significant collection of kerosene lamps from various places of manufacture in Europe and around the world, as well as other sources of light—from ancient oil lamps to electric lamps from the first half of the 20th century. The two themes offer different emphases: craftsmanship and everyday objects with a regional focus on the one hand, and the long history of lighting on the other.

Rynek and historic buildings

Today, Krosno’s Rynek is a place for walks and outdoor events. Historic townhouses from various periods surround the square, whose Renaissance arcades define its architectural character. The Wójtowska townhouse at Rynek 7 was built in the 15th century and is considered the oldest townhouse in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship. Makieta Krosna is an educational model of the old town, located on the fountain in the centre of the historic old town. Together, the townhouse and the model offer two different ways of exploring the city’s history: a preserved building and a representation of the old town as a whole.

Churches, cemetery and monuments

The Franciscan Church is the city’s oldest church; its oldest structural elements date from the late 13th century. Fragments of wall paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries can be found in its Chapel of the Transfiguration of Christ. Another work of art is in the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity: a Gothic Calvary group dating to around 1420 stands on the monumental chancel arch. The different dates give an impression of the many centuries of religious architectural and artistic history represented in Krosno.

According to one description, around 200 matzevot with relief symbols and Hebrew inscriptions have been preserved in the Jewish cemetery. Monuments also recall the city’s history: the monument to Ignacy Łukasiewicz commemorates the designer of a prototype kerosene lamp. The Portius Monument is a bronze work based on a design by Kamil Słowik; it is more than 2.5 metres tall and weighs around 300 kilograms. The two memorials have different emphases—technological history on the one hand, and the design and scale of a public monument on the other.

More ways to explore the Krośnieński destination

In the wider Krośnieński destination, the Krosno–Brzozów and Sanok–Dukla routes of the Wooden Architecture Trail pass through Powiat Krośnieński. At the start of the green-marked Krosno–Strzyżów route, there are views of Odrzykoń Castle. Another, black-marked route leads from the ruins of Kamieniec Castle through the Prządki nature reserve to Czarny Dział and the Kiczary hills, which are about 500 metres high. To choose a regional focus, you can draw on the themes mentioned: wooden architecture, views of a castle, or a route through a nature reserve to the hills. This information relates to the wider Krośnieński destination.

Discover more destinations: Krasna, Dukla, Bóbrka, Korczyna, Trzciana, Moderówka, Królik Polski, Odrzykoń.

To the wider travel overview: Krośnieński.