Pszczyna is a small, well-preserved town in Upper Silesia, about 40 kilometres south of Katowice, that punches well above its weight for a place of its size. Its main draw is the Pszczyna Castle — one of the finest palace museums in Poland — surrounded by a landscaped English park with a herd of European bison. The market square is compact and pleasant, the streets are quiet, and the whole place has an unhurried feel that contrasts sharply with the industrial belt to the north.
The town was the seat of the von Hochberg family for centuries, and their influence shaped almost everything you see: the palace, the park, the church, the layout of the streets. It is a place where the aristocratic history is still tangible. Pszczyna makes an easy and rewarding day trip from Katowice or Oświęcim, but if you want to linger, there is enough to fill a comfortable overnight stay.