Located on the right bank of the Vistula River, Otwock is a historic city south-east of Warsaw. It was first mentioned as a village in the 15th century and developed significantly following the arrival of the Vistula River Railroad in 1877. When Poland was invaded by the Nazis in 1939, Otwock was established as a Jewish ghetto.
Things to do in Otwock
In the heart of Otwock is the Square of the VII Regiment of Communications, a leafy public space with landscaped garden beds and benches for watching the world go by. Admire the whitewashed statue of the Figura Chrystusa or let the kids run loose in the children’s playground. Nearby is the red and white Iskra monument, a recreation of the airplane that crashed here in 1998.
Sprawling south of Otwock is Mazowiecki Landscape Park, which encompasses more than 140 square kilometres of forested wetlands. Established in 1986, it is renowned for its birdlife, with black storks and Eurasian curlews spotted here. You can stretch your legs on one of the many walking trails and keep your eyes peeled for elk and moose.
A short drive east of Otwock is the Zofiowka Sanatorium, an abandoned mental health facility that has become a popular photography location. Established in the early 20th century, it fell into disarray during the Nazi occupation when it formed part of the Jewish ghetto of Otwock. Intriguing murals now decorate its storied rooms where some of Poland’s most famous neurologists once worked.
Getting around Otwock
Otwock is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Warsaw and Warsaw Chopin Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Otwock railway station and buses travel through the city. The centre of Otwock can easily be explored on foot.