The history of Rzeszow Poland is in many ways synonymous with the history of an elite family of nobles, known as the Lubomirski. Prior to the 1350s, Rzeszow was merely a small settlement nestled between a predominantly Austrian region and a group of Polish settlements. In 1354, the king of Poland, Kaziemierz Wielki, granted Rzeszow its own charter, formally bringing the region into the emerging Polish state.

Kaziemierz Wielki didn't have the force or logistical support to retain strong control over Rzeszow, however. Soon after its founding, the Lubomirski family began to exercise more and more control. During the Middle Ages, Rzeszow became famous for its sumptuous yearly market. Regional residents would come from miles around to sample exotic wares, cuisines, and goods.

One of the Lubomirski noblemen founded an exemplary secondary school in 1658. However, the glory days of Rzeszow didn't last forever. In the 19th century, after southeastern Poland was subsumed by the Austro-Hungarian empire, Rzeszow began to lose some of its cachet to its neighbor city, Przemysl. World Wars I & II and the Soviet occupation of Poland dramatically changed the character of the city.

While Rzeszow retains the scars of its history, it is also a hopeful and vibrant metropolis. Fortunately, visiting Rzeszow on a budget is easy thanks to Poland and Beyond. Our unique travel service has guided countless tours to Rzeszow, Przemysl, and other Polish cities. Explore our Eastern Poland travel itineraries online to learn more.