Event as part of the Pardes Festival 2026 | September 11–13 | September 18–20 |

For centuries, Leszno was a place where people of various faiths, cultures, and languages arrived. Some, like the Bohemian Brethren or Lutherans, sought refuge here from persecution. Others saw it as a land of new opportunities, or—like the Prussian officials and military personnel—were fulfilling their state duty. Prayers from Protestants, Jews, Roman Catholics, and Polish Catholics rose to God from the city's temples. The tone of religious and social life was set by prominent pastors, rabbis, and priests. Together, the residents shaped a space where multicultural coexistence was a natural, everyday experience.

During the walk, we will explore the complex history of Leszno, a city founded in the mid-16th century. Sacred architecture will serve as the backdrop for this story—timeless testaments to the lives of past residents and the artistic craftsmanship of builders and sculptors. We will visit the Parish Church of St. Nicholas, a masterpiece of Catholic Baroque, the former Bohemian Brethren Church of St. John, and the former Lutheran Church of the Holy Cross, along with its surrounding lapidary. We will also stop by the former synagogue, a key landmark in the former Jewish quarter.

Guide: Małgorzata Gniazdowska

Check out the full program for the Pardes Festival 2026.