Płock City Hall - www.ump.pl

		The Cathedral Basilica was founded by Bishop Alexander of Malonne and built in 1144. It was rebuilt many times, but it preserved its primary Romanesque elements of architecture. In the Royal Chapel we can find sarcophagus of two Polish rulers – Władysław Herman and Bolesław Krzywousty. In the churchporch there is a bronze replica of the Romanesque Płock Door, made for the Płock's Cathedral ca. 1154 in Magdeburg.

		Opposite the Cathedral arise the walls of the former duke's castle of the 14th century and the Benedictine abbey. There are also two Gothic towers: the Noble Tower (former prison for noblemen) and the Clock Tower covered with the Baroque helmet and with parts of Władysław Herman and Bolesław Krzywousty Romanesque palatium at the bottom. The former Benedictine abbey houses nowadays the Diocesan Museum that displays its most precious treasures, i.e. herm of St. Sigismund from the 14th century, chalice of Konrad Mazowiecki and Gothic monstrances. Right beside, in the old building we can find the collection of painting, sculpture and artistic handicraft (among others over hundred nobleman's waist sashes in the specially designed cabinet) and other sacred art exhibits.

		In August 2008 modernized Płock amphitheater was launched. It is picturesquely composed into the escarpment and covered with a fanned roof. Its audience may include 3500 people. The first on the stage were the most beautiful Polish women during the Miss Poland 2008 final.

		Tumska Street was first referred to at the beginning of the 19th century when it connected Canonical Market (nowadays the Narutowicza Square) with the New Market Square. Soon, it became the main shopping passage where many shops and representative communal buildings flourished (on the photo, the former English Hotel). Tumska preserved its significance up to present times. As the most famous Płock's promenade it attracts every tourist coming to Płock. After general renovation it turned into elegant city salon with attractive small architecture.

		Beautifully renovated Art Nouveau tenement-house at Tumska Street houses the Mazovian Museum. It is one of the oldest museums in Poland. The Mazovian Museum boasts the world-famous collection of secession art. It includes works of the most prominent artists: Malczewski, Mehoffer, Laszczka, Lalique, Gallé. It is hard to find a more detailed and more professional record of the magic period of ‶fin de siecle” in the whole of Poland.

		Grodzka Street is one of the oldest routes in Płock originating in the 13th century. It connects two markets: the Canonical (nowadays the Narutowicza Square) and the Old Market Square. Its architecture is dominated by the 19th century neo-classical tenement houses (on the photo, the only one along that street Baroque mansion dating back to the turn of the 17th century). It is a favorite place for young people due to the largest in the city number of pubs, pizzerias, cafés.

		Taking a turn from Grodzka Street into a narrow Kozia Street we will find ourselves vis a vis "Małachowianka" - the oldest out of the existing high schools in Poland (est. in 1180). School museum is located in the basement of the Medieval wing. It displays the relics of the Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The Gothic tower houses the astronomical observatory. The school had a lot of eminent pupils, among others Ignacy Mościcki, president of the Second Republic of Poland, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, the first post – communist prime minister, traveler Tony Halik and Jan Zumbach – commander of the legendary 303 ‶Kościuszko” Squadron.

		Approaching the Market Square we visit the Divine Mercy Shrine, destination place for many religious pilgrims. On February 22nd, 1931 Sister Faustyna Kowalska, canonized by Pope John Paul II, had here her first vision of the Merciful Jesus. Museum of Saint Sister Faustyna was opened here to celebrate centenary of her birthday.

		Up to the middle of the 19th century the Old Market was full of life. It was here where the richest shops and inns located and where cultural life flourished. In the center of the market stood the Gothic city hall with a small tower. In front of the city hall there was a scaffold where condemned were executed. In 1998 the city hall was modernized and the Old Market Square rebuilt. Due to the citizens' wishes market was enlivened by the modern illuminated fountain. Every-day bugle call is performed on the City Hall tower. Furthermore, tourists are attracted by the spectacle of knighting Bolesław Krzywousty displayed on the tower just after the bugle call at noon. From spring to autumn the Old Market Square hosts many cultural events, in the winter citizens are invited to the skating-rink. Darmstadt House is another building at the Old Market Square that is vibrant with life (it also houses Tourist Information Center: cit@pokis.pl). Mansion was renovated thanks to the financial support provided by the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation and the sister city of Darmstadt. Other successful sister city relations include Fort Wayne in the USA, Forli in Italy, Mażeikiai in Lithuania, Auxerre in France, Beltsy in Moldova, Loznica in Serbia, Thurrock Borough in the Great Britain, Mytyshi in the Russian Federation.

		Płock city hall was constructed in the twenties of the 19th century and designed by Jakub Kubicki, one of the leading architects of classicism (creator of Belweder building in Warsaw). The City Hall housed the last session of the Polish Kingdom Parliament in 1831 (so called Uprising Parliament). From the very beginning the building was the seat of local authorities. After the complex modernization, completed in September 1998, the city hall became a modern, functional building, one of the city's tourist attractions.

		The Gothic origin has the St. Bartholomew parish church standing nearby the city hall. In 2006 it celebrated 650th anniversary of establishment. The church was rebuilt many times. In the 18th century part of the building was decreased by pulling down from the Vistula River side. After that the building was cut down and the main entrance built from the Old Market Square. The pride of the church is the early-Baroque altar from 1640.

		There is one more construction that stands out in Płock's landscape. It is the Neo-Gothic monastery of the Old-Catholic Church of the Mariavites built at the beginning of the 20th century.

		At Obrońców Warszawy Square there is a house where hundred years ago famous poet Władysław Broniewski (1897-1915) was born and lived. Near the house there is an impressive monument to the poet built in 1972 according to Gustaw Zemła design. In the courtyard grows a several hundred years-old oak. Broniewski used to identify himself with this ancient tree both in common and poetic speeches. Władysław Broniewski is Płock Citizen of Honor.

		Marshal Józef Piłsudski was the first to receive the eminent title of the Płock Citizen of Honor. On April 10th, 1921, the Head of State awarded the City of Płock the Cross of Bravery for its heroic defense in the Polish – Soviet war of 1920. On August 18th, 1997 monument to the Marshal was unveiled to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the memorable war events at the Obrońców Warszawy Square (prewar the Piłsudski Square).

		Płock is an academic city with more than 16 thousand students. The number of colleges is still increasing. Currently these include: Institute of Technology and Social Studies of the Warsaw Technical University; private Paweł Włodkowic College; State Higher Vocational School; and Higher Theological Seminary with the 400-year tradition. Furthermore there are in Płock, Department of Management of the Warsaw University and Advisory Center of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw.

		First chimneys of "Petrochemia" started to rise up in 1960. Nowadays, Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN S.A. is one of the biggest companies in this part of Europe and a magnate on the local market of liquid fuels and petrochemical products.

		Płock Industrial and Technological Park (PPP-T) is a joint initiative of Płock authorities and PKN Orlen aimed at the development of entrepreneurship in Płock and in the region. Park offers investors over 200 hectares bordering on PKN Orlen. In 2007 PPP-T sites won first place in the Mazovia Province in ‶Golden Sites” competition. Park will offer employment for several thousand people.

		Płock is an attractive city for foreign investors. American "king of jeans" Levi Strauss chose Płock out of a large number of location offers. Levi's built its factory and started the mass production of jeans' clothes in 1992 (see the photo). The Poland's only manufacturer of BIZON combine harvesters was transformed into the partnership with the international capital of CNH corporation. Since 2003 Basell Orlen Polyolefins has been operating in Płock. The company has launched two production plants of polypropylene and polyethylene, the largest ones in the world. Other companies with foreign capital include Hoppenstedt Bonnier Information, Dr Oetker Dekor, Bildau&Bussmann, Adler Polska, A.Schulman.

		Płock Symphonic Orchestra plays an important role in Płock cultural life. It gives performances in the modern concert hall of the School of Music. In January 2008 Jerzy Sazniawski Dramatic Theater invited to its modernized seat. Right now it is one of the most up-to-date stages in Poland. An indisputable ambassador of Płock culture is the Scout's Song and Dance Ensemble "Children of Płock" ("Dzieci Płocka") established a half century ago by Scoutmaster Wacław Milke. Many successes achieve ‶Wisła” Song and Dance Ensemble and ‶Pueri Cantores Plocenses” boys choir (see the photo).

		Many important international football matches are held at the Kazimierz Górski Stadium of Wisła Płock Sports Club. In 2008 Wisła Płock handball team won the Championship of Poland and Cup of Poland, two players are the current vice-world-champions in this discipline. In Płock there are also many Olympic athletes as well as medalists of many World and European Championships (kick-boxing, rowing, wheelchair tennis).

		Zoological Garden. The Zoo picturesquely situated on the Vistula riverbank possesses more than 3300 animals of 430 species. The Zoo's collection includes number of vanishing and endangered animal species such as Snow Leopard, African Penguin, Red-crowned Crane, Asian Elephant, Persian Leopard, Andean Condor, tamarins and marmosets (see the photo) – the smallest monkeys in the world. Płock Zoo boasts also sea and freshwater aquariums and the biggest in Poland collection of reptiles.