Walking through Tarnow, Poland's "pearl of the Renaissance."
- ptakuyap15
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
About an hour by train from Krakow, Tarnów is a small town known as the "Pearl of the Renaissance," with beautiful Renaissance-style streets still preserved.
This time, I stayed for about five hours, taking into account the time it took to change trains, and I was very impressed by the compactness of the city and the old town, which still retains a medieval atmosphere.
It's easy to get around on foot, and even a short stay will allow you to fully experience the city's charm .
It is recommended to visit it in conjunction with Krakow.
Perhaps one of Tarnow's unique charms is that it is not as crowded with tourists as Krakow.
A beautiful Gothic church located right in front of Tarnow Station
As soon as I left Tarnow station, I couldn't help but stop in my tracks at this church.
It has such a strong presence that it's hard to believe it's in front of a station, and as soon as I arrived in the city I felt like this might be a nice town.
It was snowing that day, making the orange exterior walls stand out against the white scenery even more impressive.
The beautiful Renaissance-style Town Hall and Old Town Square
The most eye-catching building in the Old Town Square is the Town Hall.
Its impressive appearance combined with the clock tower is currently used as Tarnow's city hall.
The clock installed in the tower is said to be one of the oldest active tower clocks in the Małopolska region of southern Poland .
I found out later that it is actually possible to climb this clock tower.
Apparently you can get a panoramic view of the city of Tarnow from the top, so if you have time, be sure to stop by. It's a spot not to be missed.
Cafe Tramway, a unique cafe loved by locals
This cafe is a replica of a tram that once ran through the city, and is now an iconic tourist spot in Tarnow.
Electric trams were introduced in Tarnow in 1911, and at the time it was one of the few cities in Galicia (now southern Poland) that had them, along with Krakow and Lviv .
The trams have a red body and feature the city's coat of arms, and locals affectionately call them " Biedronki" (Ladybugs) .
There are limited seats, so you may not be able to get in on weekends or public holidays, but if you have the chance, be sure to come!
Search for cute bronze statues on the "Mascaron Trail"
When walking around the city of Tarnow, you will notice bronze statues of dwarf-like little people everywhere. What are they?
Actually, this is called the "Mascaron Trail."
This is a tourist route where you walk around looking for small mascaron statues, each about 30cm tall , hidden all over the city.
There are 14 mascarons in total.
The sculptures are based on the Renaissance decorative sculptures that adorn the town hall and are discreetly placed in some of Tarnow's most memorable locations, including theaters, squares, parks, cinemas and bridges.
Each statue has a theme, such as "Mascaron Enthusiastic About Books" or "Theater Genie," and each time you find one, it's a fun discovery.
All the works are by 14 artists from Tarnow .
I didn't have enough time to find everything, but it might be fun to get a map from the tourist information center and walk around the city feeling like you're on a treasure hunt .
Discover Tarnow's Jewish heritage throughout the city
Before World War II, it is said that roughly half of the population of Tarnow was Jewish .
As a result, there are still places scattered throughout the city that quietly convey the lifestyle and history of that time.
There are remains of synagogues , Jewish cemeteries , and walls that still retain the appearance of the time that catch your eye in ordinary alleys.
It's not a prominent tourist spot, but it was impressive to be able to encounter nature while walking around the city.
For delicious sandwiches and coffee, try Dzień Dobry Tarnów
If you want a stylish and healthy breakfast, we recommend a cafe called Dzień Dobry.
The sandwich topped with beets and halloumi cheese was incredibly satisfying.
It is located right next to Cafe Tramway.
Tarnow Summary
Tarnow is about an hour by train from Krakow .
The city is just the right size, and its charm lies in the enjoyment of walking through its Renaissance-style streets .
Another advantage is that Intercity (national railway) trains run to major Polish cities, making it a convenient place to stop over or transit on your way.
Even if you only stay for a short time, you can still get a feel for the city.
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