Lublin, Poland is a renowned cosmopolitan center in the eastern half of the country. During the late 1500s, a dramatic reformation movement swept the region. Around this time period, many Polish Jews immigrated to Lublin and established a large community. The Lublin yeshiva became a magnet for Jewish learning and intellectualism. For almost 200 years (between 1580 and the late 18th century), an international Jewish Council met in Lublin.

Indeed, so welcome was the Jewish community at the time that the King of Poland declared that both the Polish universities and the Jewish universities deserved equal rights. Things changed, however, during World War II, when the Nazi invasion leveled Lublin's population and destroyed the Jewish community. In the wake of the Nazi destruction came Soviet nihilism, which stultified trade, commerce, and culture.

Fortunately, these tragedies failed to crush the city's expansive spirit. Now, thanks to market reforms and an influx of tourism, Lublin has once again emerged as a great center of learning, trade, and culture. Lublin supports a bustling tourism and hotel industry, and you can dine well at places like the BelEtage at the Grand Hotel Lublinianka.

If you are still in the early stages of planning your itinerary to Lublin, look to Poland and Beyond to make your travel plans complete. We provide customized tours for our clients as well as a slate of exciting guided tours. Many of our guided tours pass through Lublin, so check out our published online itineraries for more details.