The pretty city in Europe slap bang on the border of Germany and Poland

Gorlitz in Germany directly borders the Polish town of Zgorzelec. The two towns were once a single entity but were divided after World War II.

By Astha Saxena, News Reporter

Görlitz cathedral

Görlitz is a city in eastern Germany, located on the Lusatian Neisse River (Image: Getty)

A pretty city in Europe nestled on the German and Poland border is often off the well beaten tourist path, but it still has bags to offer.

Renowned for its stunningly preserved architecture, Golitz showcases a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau styles, making it a visual delight for visitors.

The picturesque city is located in eastern Germany, near the Polish border. The city's charming streets, squares, and landmarks have made it a popular filming location for many movies.

From interesting churches to historical museums, the city is a perfect place for those looking for a serene holiday along with some quintessential historical blend.

Town of Zgorzelec (Görlitz, Poland)

It directly borders the Polish town of Zgorzelec (Image: Getty)

Görlitz has a rich history dating back to the medieval period. It was an important trade and commerce center during the Middle Ages.

Görlitz's Altstadt (Old Town) is renowned for its beauty and historic buildings. Key sites include the Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Görlitz Town Hall, and the historic Untermarkt square.

Apart from this, the city offers several cultural institutions, including the Görlitz City Theatre, the Museum of Cultural History, and the Silesian Museum.

It has been home to several movies as well, leading to its nickname "Görliwood". The Grand Budapest Hotel and Inglourious Basterds were both filmed here.

St. Peter's Church Gorlitz

Church of St. Peter is a popular spot in Gorlitz (Image: Getty)

One of the notable events in Görlitz is the annual Festival of Lights, which illuminates the city's historical buildings with artistic light displays.

The well-preserved architectural heritage, including buildings from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau periods makes it worth a visit for history lovers. 

Even the travellers who have been to the pretty city have shared their amazing experiences on TripAdvisor forum. 

Narrow Street With Arched Doorways and Cobblestones

Explore Gorlitz's hidden streets (Image: Getty)

One user said: “We just returned from two weeks in Europe and Gorlitz was one of the highlights! It is a small town on the border with Poland in the old East Germany. It was a small and quiet town with outstanding architecture, friendly people, and reasonable prices. They were spared the bombs of WWII, but the town was split in two after the war, with part of it becoming Zgorzelec, Poland. You can walk across one of the bridges into Poland, which I suggest you do, since we had a beautiful view across the river at Gorlitz and 2 beers and 2 cokes were 4 Euros!!! 

“It is a quiet town, so if you are looking for late-night parties, I would go elsewhere, but if you want a beautiful town that is undiscovered by the tour buses and most other people, this is it. You will want to know a little German (or be very good a cherades), as a lot of the people have limited English. We got by with our limited German just fine. Just wander the streets and soak in the ambiance of the undiscovered gem of a town!”

Another user shared: “Deep in the east lies this little gem: a city that has survived the last few centuries almost completely unscathed. 

“Only a few houses were destroyed by fire or in war, which is why Görlitz has so many Renaissance buildings that you should actually stay there for at least a week to see almost everything.”


Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?