Pułtusk - Venice of Mazovia

Beautiful landscapes, clean natural environment, historic sites, and interesting history - these are fascinating and attractive in Pułtusk. This small town in northern Mazovia, one of the oldest in the region, the first mentions of which appeared as early as the 12th century, is not only being visited by more and more tourists these days, but is also being chosen as a place for investors and others to tie their futures to.
Pułtusk is located in the northern part of Mazovia, about 60 kilometers from Warsaw, at the edge of Puszcza Biała (White Forest), on a route which leads to the Masurian lake district. There is another route which leads to Masuria - a natural water route, the Narew River. Two kilometers before Pułtusk, the Narew River splits, surrounding the oldest part of the city - the market square with a castle and adjoining tenant buildings. Because of its location, the city is referred to as Venice of Mazovia. After all, just as in Venice, one can have a ride in a gondola here. On the south side, the valley is surrounded by the basin of the Narew, where it joins the current of the Bug River; on the east side, there are forests which are part of Puszcza Biała, a complex with an area of nearly 500 square kilometers.
Due to its very interesting location, rich architecture and its sights, it is also called the Pearl of Mazovia. One of its main sites is its long, cobbled market square (the longest in Europe at 400 meters), the axis of which is marked with a Gothic-renaissance city hall building, presently the Regional Museum.
The mid-15th century Collegiate Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin Mary, with its unique renaissance-era vaulting and its unique polychromes, the discovery of which shed new light on the art of the renaissance, is without a doubt a pearl of architecture. Among the cities other attractions, one must also include the chapel of Mary Magdalene, as well as the castle which overlooks the town from the hill above - once the residence of the Bishops of Płock, the owners of the city, it is now Dom Polonii - a conference and hotel center, visited by Poles from around the world.
Napoleon has also been inscribed in the rich history of the city. He was here at the end of 1806 and the beginning of 1807, just after the battle between his army and the Russians had taken place at Pułtusk. The fact that this battle was significant to the French is confirmed by the fact that the name of our city is included on the Arc de Triumph in Paris.
Another unique event was a meteorite shower which fell near Pułtusk in 1868. Fragments of the meteorites, referred to by astronomers as Pultusks, are found in the Regional Museum and in other museums around the world.
Since the end of the Middle Ages, Pułtusk has been considered to be a city which is open to sciences. Among others, the following people have been associated with our city: father Piotr Skarga, Jakub Wujek, Jerzy Ossoliński and Wiktor Gomulicki. Since 1994, the education and cultural history of our city has been enhanced by the Pułtusk Academy of Humanities - one of the best institutions of higher learning in the country.
Pułtusk is also a city for tourists. Their numbers have been increasing every year, because the unusually picturesque scenery makes for an excellent place to enjoy an active holiday. The city’s tourist and bicycle routes are a real attraction. Dom Polonii offers many attractions, too. Its facilities include tennis courts, boats, and gondolas, rentals of equipment for water sports, a fitness club and a spa.
The local administrative district of Pułtusk also owns land outside of the city which is of potential interest. Those who love nature can ride or walk through the lovely areas along the Narew River. Because of its location and lack of industry, Pułtusk still has a clean natural environment, beautiful landscapes, and interesting recreational areas. The lovely forests of Puszcza Biała, and the areas along the Narew are valuable habitats for many rare species of plants and animals. In some villages, folk relics like peasant buildings have survived, particularly in Obryte, Porządzie and Rząśnik. In Pniewy, it is possible to visit an ethnographic exhibit which is housed in ‘Kuźnia Kurpiowska’ (Kurpie Forge).
The Pułtusk area also includes summer resort towns (Szygówek, Pawłówek, Gnojno, Grabówiec, and Ponikiew), which are very popular destinations for residents of Warsaw and its surroundings.   
Tourists who are a bit tired after sightseeing in the city and environs can take a breather and enjoy an art gallery, museum or one of the numerous cultural or sports/recreational events organized in the city. Among the most important ones are Days of the City Patron St. Matthew with a special mass organized for all of the Mateuszes (Matthews) in Pułtusk, and a ceremonial session of the City Council also takes place in the market square. In Pułtusk, there is never a lack of events in memory of the Napoleonic era. Every year, there is a contest for creating the characterization of Maria Walewska, and a Napoleonic Ball. Every year, on the first Saturday after Corpus Christi, the Great Medieval Fair takes place, which is a great opportunity to see handmade crafts, jousting and historic dances.
That is what Pułtusk is like. Those who have already had a chance to visit always come back again, because they miss the atmosphere of the city and its unique combination of relaxation with active recreation.
Awards received by the Local Administrative District of Pułtusk: ‘ In 2007-2008, the Local Administrative District of Pułtusk received the award of ‘Fair Play’ in the category of district tourism ‘ A certificate from the Campaign for Transparent Poland (‘Przejrzysta Polska’), which aimed to support activities of local administrative districts in improving the use of six principles of good management: transparency, intolerance for corruption, social participation, predictability, accountability, and professionalism ‘ In 2007, the Local Administrative District of Pułtusk received the title of ‘Local Government Friendly to Enterprise’
Partner cities: ‘ Senica (Slovakia) ‘ New Britain (USA)

Gminne Centrum Informacji w Pułtusku
District Information Center in Pułtusk
Tourist Information
Plac Teatralny 4, 06-100 Pułtusk
tel. (023) 692 84 24
Open: Monday - Sunday 
from: 10 am to 6 pm