Second only to Krakow, the Tarnów city complex of Małopolska Region is renowned today for its beautiful Old Town called the “Pearl of the Renaissance.” During the First World War, Tarnów, as the important railway junction, served as the headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian garrison, and then became the base for the Russian army charging against Western Galicia. The Russian forces occupied the city for several months: from the autumn of 1914 until the Battle of Gorlice in May of the following year. Since December of 1914, the frontline ran next to Tarnów. A fierce battle, called the “Christmas Battle” was fought in the vicinity of the city in the late December of 1914. This was also when the soldiers of the First Brigade of the Polish Legions fought the Battle of Łowczówek.
Tarnów itself is home to numerous war cemeteries and other sites associated with the events of the First World War, while the vicinity of the city features other war necropolises, e.g. in the aforementioned Łowczówek.
Tarnów and its Vicinity
Trail of the First War
Turist Routes