A cultural and scenic perspective of Poland

[jw5]

Poland, a country in Central Europe, has a history that spans over 1,000 years. Its rich cultural heritage is reflected in the cities, towns, and villages in which are preserved a wealth of palaces, castles, and churches of exceptional beauty and architectural merit. In fact, no less than 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites recognize Poland's extraordinary collection of landmarks and areas, protected for their cultural, historical, or scientific significance. Among these are must-see attractions that trace the fate of Poland during the Second World War, a remarkable centuries-old salt mine, and a number of mountain and forest reserves. All this and more beckons the visitor seeking an immersive urban adventure and fresh-air pursuits.

 

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Warsaw -

Warsaw, Poland's historic capital, stands on the Vistula River. It's one of Europe's great cultural hubs, a fact acknowledged by UNESCO—the Old Town is a World Heritage Site.

 

[jw5]

Old Town Market Square -

What better way to begin seeking a perspective on Poland than by exploring the city's historic center? The Old Town Market Square is the true heart of this venerable hub. What you see today is an authentic restoration of its pre-Second World War appearance.

 

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Copernicus Science Centre -

In Warsaw with the kids? Let them loose in the fascinating Copernicus Science Centre. There are over 450 exhibits to interact with, a multimedia planetarium to explore, and a robotic theater to play in.

 

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Museum of the History of Polish Jews -

Poland's Jewish heritage is celebrated—and commemorated—with this excellent cultural facility, which stands on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto.

 

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Palace of Culture and Science -

Completed in 1955, the Palace of Culture and Science stands as a monumental reminder of Stalinist-era architecture and of Soviet influence over Poland.

 

[jw5]

Wilanow Palace -

Dating back to 1696, this former royal palace located in the Wilanow district of Warsaw is one of Poland's most significant buildings. The palace's museum imparts its fascinating history.

 

[jw5]

Warsaw Uprising Museum -

Dedicated to the Warsaw Uprising, this extraordinary museum chronicles the courageous effort by the Polish underground resistance to liberate Warsaw from German occupation during the summer of 1944.

 

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Royal Castle -

Warsaw's Royal Castle is one of the most distinguished buildings in the Polish capital. A royal residence that formerly served throughout the centuries as the official home of Polish monarchs, it's now a much-vaunted UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

[jw5]

Lazienki Park -

Residents and visitors alike unwind in the serene surroundings of Lazienki Park. It serves as a bucolic setting for palaces, villas, classicist follies, and monuments. Pictured is the beautiful Palace on the Isle.

 

[jw5]

Wieliczka Salt Mine -

Away from Warsaw, the rest of Poland greets visitors with a collection of truly remarkable destinations and visitor attractions. One such place is the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Excavation of sodium chloride began in the 13th century, and production only stopped in 2007. Today, the underground labyrinthine of passageways and caverns constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

[jw5]

Auschwitz-Birkenau Camps, Oswiecim -

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Camps represent one of the darkest chapters in human history. Touring the former Nazi extermination facilities is a compelling, though overwhelmingly unsettling, experience. UNESCO preserves the site as it more or less appeared during its murderous operation.

 

[jw5]

Malbork Castle -

This impressive 13th-century Teutonic castle and fortress located near the town of Malbork is, according to UNESCO, the largest of its kind in the world by land area.

 

[jw5]

Crooked Forest, Gryfino -

One of the weirdest-looking woodlands found in Europe, the Crooked Forest amazes with a grove of oddly-shaped pine trees. The forest is a protected natural monument.

 

[jw5]

Wawel Royal Castle -

Kraków, Poland's second-largest city, is certainly worth a few days of your time. Its Old Town is crowned by the majestic 14th-century Wawel Royal Castle. This was the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated as such in 1978.

 

[syed putra]

Poland is preparing for war with russia so good luck to them. Maybe they wish to regain what was then polish territory in what is now west Ukraine.

 

[Hypocrite-The]

 

[jw5]

They look like a force to be reckoned with.

 

[Hypocrite-The]

They look like a force to be reckoned with.

Throughout history...Poland did have a strong military as they feared the Russkies...n in WW2 they were let down by their older equipment n betrayed by the russkies n the western allies....now they resolve never to be invaded again..

 

[jw5]

Throughout history...Poland did have a strong military as they feared the Russkies...n in WW2 they were let down by their older equipment n betrayed by the russkies n the western allies....now they resolve never to be invaded again..

Good luck to Poland!