Zgorzelec

Zgorzelec is a border municipality in Lower Silesian Voivodeship along the Lusatian Neisse River, which here separates the Polish town from German Görlitz. Both sides form two distinct administrations since the postwar period, though their built areas face each other directly and connect via two bridges.

Before 1945 the present town was part of the German city of Görlitz and only became a separate Polish municipality after World War II. The new border along the Lusatian Neisse divided the two parts into separate administrations.

The Municipal House of Culture from 1904 carries a dome modeled after Berlin's Reichstag and now serves as the town's main performance venue. Greek political refugees who arrived after their civil war established an annual Greek Song Festival that continues today.

Two bridges connect both town halves: the Old Town Bridge for pedestrians and the Pope John Paul II Bridge for vehicles, with no border controls in place. Visitors on foot can use the old bridge for a short walk between countries.

Along the riverside promenade stand several historic buildings that belonged to the shared German administration before the city split. Some streets end abruptly at the river and continue on the other side, so former neighbors now live separated by an international border.

Location: Zgorzelec County

Elevation above the sea: 209 m

Shares border with: Görlitz

Website: http://zgorzelec.eu

GPS coordinates: 51.15278,15.00000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:36