Lublin is undoubtedly worth a visit, even if it attracts fewer tourists than Krakow or Warsaw. Over the centuries it saw Polish and Jewish cultures harmoniously coexisting while the city’s fibre developed. The remnants of Lublin's past deserve exploration, even if the sprawling suburbs might at first restrain you from going deeper. Overcome the temptation of bypassing Lublin, its Old Town is charming, though a little decayed. Besides this, the city offers other attractions, including a wild nightlife and a multitude of friendly restaurants and cafes.
Its picturesque Old Town, located on a low, rounded hill, boasts many outstanding sights, and looks like a ready-made medieval film set. You cannot miss the Dominican Church and the monumental neo-Gothic castle with its chapel decorated with 15th-century frescoes.
Although historically Lublin was located on the junction of several important trade routes, with direct access to Warsaw, Berlin, Kiev, Odessa, the poorly developed infrastructure has a disadvantageous impact on the development of the modern city. This can put off people visiting Lublin, although there are plans to build a new airport with international connections.
At only 175 kilometers from Warsaw, Lublin is not only worth visiting solely for its monuments. It is a centre of one of the eastern provinces of Poland, and with a population of 350, 000 it is the biggest Polish city east of the Vistula River.
The history of Lublin began in the Middle Ages, when the town was a trade settlement and a guard post on the eastern border of a young Polish state. The first written information about it dates back to the 12th century, and then in 1317 it was granted city rights. Its position was favourable on the trade route to the Black Sea, while its peripheral location resulted in numerous invasions.
In the 15th century Lublin was fortified, strengthened with towers and gates, and a castle of brick was constructed. Now only one tower and the Gothic chapel with its extraordinary frescoes funded by King Wladyslaw Jagiello survive from the original building. This monarch was particularly gracious for the city, making it the capital of a province and granting it many privileges.
Ļubļina - pilsēta Polijas austrumos, Ļubļinas vojevodistes centrs Biščicas upes krastos. Viduslaikos nozīmīgs Polijas-Lietuvas tirdzniecības centrs un vēsturisks ebreju izglītības centrs (kādreizējā pilsētas iesauka - ebreju Oksforda).
Uz austrumiem no pilsētas līdz 2001. gadam atradās Daewoo autorūpnīca.
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