Where the Thunder of Hooves Has Echoed Through Warsaw for More Than Eighty Years
For a few brief moments, everything falls silent. Horses paw the ground impatiently inside the starting gates, jockeys lean forward in complete concentration, and thousands of spectators hold their breath. Then the gates fly open. Within seconds, some of the finest thoroughbreds in Poland are racing down the track at speeds exceeding 60 km/h (37 mph), while cheers erupt across the grandstands. This is Służewiec Horse Racing Track—a place where tradition, sport, architecture, and history come together to create one of Warsaw's most unique attractions.
Although most visitors associate Warsaw with the Royal Castle, Łazienki Park, or the Palace of Culture and Science, Służewiec offers an entirely different perspective on the Polish capital. It is a destination where visitors can experience the excitement of live horse racing while discovering one of Europe's finest examples of pre-war modernist sports architecture.
A Visionary Project Ahead of Its Time
When Służewiec Horse Racing Track officially opened in 1939, it was considered one of the most advanced racing facilities in Europe. Designed by renowned Polish architects Juliusz Żórawski and Zygmunt Plater-Zyberk, the complex represented the very best of modernist design—combining elegant architecture with practical functionality.
Everything was carefully planned, from the sweeping grandstands and spacious stables to the extensive training grounds and landscaped green areas. The architects wanted spectators to enjoy excellent views from almost every seat while ensuring that horses, trainers, jockeys, and visitors could move efficiently throughout the enormous complex.
Sadly, only a few months after its grand opening, the outbreak of World War II interrupted the track's development. Once the war ended, however, Służewiec quickly regained its status as the center of Polish horse racing—a position it continues to hold today.
More Than Horse Racing
Horse racing has been part of Polish sporting tradition for centuries, but nowhere has this heritage been preserved as successfully as at Służewiec. Every racing season features dozens of meetings where Thoroughbreds, Arabian horses, and trotters compete on one of the country's most prestigious racecourses.
The highlight of the calendar is undoubtedly the Great Warsaw Race (Wielka Warszawska). First held shortly after World War II, it has become Poland's most prestigious horse race, attracting the country's finest horses, experienced jockeys, and thousands of spectators every year. Winning this race is considered one of the highest achievements in Polish horse racing.
Yet even on regular race days, the atmosphere remains unforgettable. Families enjoy picnics on the lawns, photographers capture spectacular images of galloping horses, while experienced racing enthusiasts study race programs, analyze statistics, and follow every movement on the track.
An Architectural Landmark Hidden in Plain Sight
Many visitors come to Służewiec expecting only horse racing, but leave impressed by its remarkable architecture.
The sweeping horizontal lines of the grandstands, large glass façades, elegant concrete structures, and open public spaces perfectly reflect the principles of European Modernism during the 1930s. Despite being built more than eight decades ago, the complex still feels surprisingly contemporary.
The entire venue has been recognized as one of Poland's most significant examples of modernist architecture and is protected as a historic monument. For architecture enthusiasts, Służewiec is every bit as fascinating as many of Warsaw's better-known landmarks.
A Green Escape Within the City
One of the greatest surprises for first-time visitors is the amount of open space. Covering more than 130 hectares, Służewiec is one of Warsaw's largest sporting complexes.
Outside racing days, the grounds provide a peaceful environment for walking, photography, and enjoying nature without leaving the city. Mature trees, wide lawns, training tracks, and elegant historic buildings create an atmosphere that feels completely different from the busy streets of central Warsaw.
During summer evenings, the setting sun illuminates the modernist grandstands while horses return calmly to the stables after training—a scene that has changed remarkably little over the decades.
Interesting Facts About Służewiec Horse Racing Track
Few visitors realize just how exceptional the venue is.
The main racing track measures approximately 2,300 meters, allowing competitions over various distances throughout the season. The entire complex occupies more than 130 hectares, making it one of the largest sports facilities in Warsaw.
The architectural ensemble has been listed as a protected historic monument and is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of Polish modernist architecture. Every autumn, the Great Warsaw Race remains the most prestigious horse racing event in Poland, attracting elite competitors from both Poland and abroad.
Why Visit Służewiec Horse Racing Track?
There are many places to explore in Warsaw, but very few combine so many different experiences in one location. At Służewiec you can witness the excitement of live horse racing, admire award-winning modernist architecture, discover an important chapter of Polish sporting history, and enjoy one of the city's largest green spaces—all within a single visit.
Whether you are passionate about horses, architecture, photography, history, or simply looking for unusual things to do in Warsaw, Służewiec Horse Racing Track offers an experience unlike any other. It is a place where the elegance of the past meets the energy of the present, reminding visitors that some of Warsaw's greatest attractions are found beyond the traditional tourist routes.