? Happy 50th anniversary to Katowice’s Spodek ‘flying saucer’! The Spodek Arena in Katowice is the most unique building in the city that looked like a UFO from a distance.? It’s a multipurpose sport and show arena and used to be the largest indoor venue of its kind in Poland with a capacity of 11,500. Today, it more like the symbol of the city that impresses people with its very creative design.
Of course, there’s more to Katowice than just the Spodek, visitors will marvel at plenty of industrial heritage here. For centuries, the city has been an industrial center, making it an intriguing modern destination for those looking to see more of Poland. One of the highlights is the Industrial Monuments Route in Nikiszowiec district, which is a historical settlement that was all made of red brick and was only housing for mining families. This settlement consists of 9 buildings representing Silesian “familiok” architecture, each one has a square or triangle form with the level of floors limited to three, surrounding large inside courtyards. It is one of Poland’s official national Historic Monuments and has the potential to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Katowice is also one of the most interesting musical cities in the world. It is home to the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and is also the place holding the biggest indoor blues festival in the world, Rawa Blues Festival. With its musical soul of the city, Katowice was named a UNESCO City of Music as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative in 2015.
Just about an hour west of Krakow, the Katowice can be a nice weekend getaway for you to explore a different side of Poland.?
Warsaw is like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Although more than 85% of Warsaw’s historic center was razed to the ground during WWII, the Old Town was painstakingly rebuilt using old photographs and paintings as a reference, so visitors can enjoy its former glory today. A labyrinth of winding cobbled stone street, ornate tenement facades and picturesque squares with plenty of Medieval charm, it’s easy to understand why the Old Town is the exquisite gem in Warsaw’s crown. With fragments that survived the war, each of the buildings has its own story to tell of Warsaw’s history.
The city’s tumultuous past was reflected not only in architecture, but visitors can also learn about its history in the Museum of Warsaw. Located on the northern side of the Old Town Market Square, the Museum occupies 11 historic tenement houses with the sheer volume of objects that tell Warsaw’s dramatic history in innovative ways. Over 7,000 original objects were categorized into 21 thematic rooms ranging from photographs and postcards to clothing and patriotic items, making the museum a great place to visit, especially for history buffs. Besides the countless exhibits, the buildings themselves are historic. Fun fact, despite severe damage during the war, the original spatial layout, seventeenth-century wooden ceilings, details in the hallways and paintings have remained. After an eventful walk, don’t forget to climb up to the fifth floor where is a perfect place to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Market Square and the Old Town.
Since Poland started to reopen museums last week, there are plenty of unique museums that are well worth a visit, like the Museum of Warsaw, which definitely should be added to your travel bucket list.?
https://www.visitpoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MW_2017_06-0062MC.jpg629943Zijian Liuhttps://www.visitpoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/logo-300x67.pngZijian Liu2021-05-10 16:07:372021-05-10 16:07:37The Museum of Warsaw
Poland is blessed with stunning landscapes and wild nature. It boasts beautiful mountains and spectacular valleys, winding rivers, and breathtaking beaches. It is also a country of unique cultural heritage. You may know that Poland boasts some of the amazing sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, including the mysterious Wieliczka Salt Mine and the world’s largest brick gothic castle in Malbork. But have you heard about the seven wonders of Poland? They are selected from over 400 national monuments via a country-wide plebiscite in 2007, and some of them are added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List as well. Are you ready to reveal the answer to those seven wonders of Poland??
7 Kraków Market Square and Old Town
Kraków, the former capital of Poland is famous for having Europe’s largest market square. It occupies an area of about 4,000 square meters and dates back to the 13th century. Historic churches and townhouses surround this main square. Some of the famous buildings in the vicinity of the main square of the Old Town of Kraków are the Church of St. Adalbert and the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. Every year, visitors flocked from around the world, drawn by its beautiful Market Square and the Old Town dotted with magnificent historic architecture.
6 Zamość Old Town
Zamość is known as a pearl of the Renaissance’, dates back to the 16th century. It combines Italian and central European architectural traditions and its Renaissance character has been preserved until today. It’s a cathedral, ranks among the most outstanding accomplishments of late Renaissance architecture. The Renaissance town layout has been maintained and the bastion fortifications surrounded the town are a distinctive Renaissance type. The majority of buildings are tenements, which are also an example of the Renaissance period.
5 Elbląg Canal
Elbląg Canal is an 80.5 km long canal in Poland running southward from Lake Drużno to lake Jeziorak and river Drwęca. Small vessels with a displacement of 50 tons can be accommodated in the canal. The canal, famous for being related to the history of technology, is one of the country’s National Historic Monuments. Currently, the canal is mostly used for recreational activities.
4 Wawel Castle and Cathedral
King Casimir III the Great built the Wawel Castle, which is the country’s most important cultural and historical site that served as the residence of Poland’s kings for centuries and is thus the symbol of Polish statehood. It is a castle residency with many structures surrounding a central courtyard and houses two towers, the Danish Tower and the Hen’s Foot, which were added later. The exteriors of the castle were well-fortified with numerous defensive walls and towers. Now, the castle is home to one of the best art museums in the country.
The Wawel Cathedral adjoining the Royal Castle has witnessed many coronations, royal weddings, and funerals. Almost all of the Polish kings were crowned in Wawel Castle. The Cathedral is flanked by various chapels, Sigismund Chapel is among the most surprising which has been hailed by many art historians as “the most beautiful example of Tuscan renaissance north of the Alps”. At the top of its Tower, there is the most famous Polish bell – the massive Sigismund’s Bell. The Wawel Cathedral has been standing for nearly 1,000 years, is one of the most important sacred buildings in Poland.
3 Malbork Castle
Malbork Castle is the world’s largest brick castle and one of the most admired in Europe. Its medieval architectural composition has made this impressive castle, an example for Gothic buildings and medieval defense architecture development. It played an important historical role in medieval Europe and it is recognized as the most significant monument of Gothic brick architecture in Europe.
2 Toruń Old Town
Toruń is one of the oldest and charming cities in Poland, located on both banks of the Vistula River, at a site of intersection of ancient trade routes. Its medieval gothic town character, with a wide range of architectural masterpieces, had a significant influence on Eastern Europe’s urbanization process in the 13th and 14th centuries.
The Old Town of Torun and the New Town of Torun, combined with a castle was a unique medieval settlement agglomeration, which has been greatly preserved and untouched until today.
1 Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is located in the Wieliczka town in southern Poland, one of the oldest ones in the world. It was opened in the 13th century and continued to produce table salt until 2007. The mine is over 300 km long and thanks to dozens of statues and a chapel carved out of the rock salt it is a popular attraction. Visitors can also find a large chamber with salt walls, an underground lake and exhibits on the history of salt mining there. About 1.2 million people come annually to tour the 3.5 km of the mine passages open to tourists.
Located on the eastern border of Poland, ?Krasiczyn castle is one of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance in Poland. Beautifully situated in the picturesque valley of the San River, this white castle is a splendorous, baronial mansion surrounded by a lush park and lake that used to be inhabited by several Polish noble families.
The work on the castle started in 1580 and lasted for 53 years until 1633. The castle originally worked as a fortified stronghold to protect the southern border of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Thanks to the next owner, Marcin Krasicki, who extended the castle and transformed it into a sophisticated residence in the Renaissance and Mannerist style we see today.
The castle is an imposing four-sided construction that consists of two residential wings and two curtain walls crowned with an openwork attic. The walls of the castle are oriented towards the four corners of the world, and the four towers at the corner are named after Divine, Papal, Royal and Noble, which reflects the hierarchy of the world at that time. After extensive renovation work, the interior has been redecorated and furnished again, while the exterior facades preserved its original characters that the Renaissance graffiti decorations on the castle walls are clearly visible.
Today the castle is a must-visit attraction in the village of Krasiczyn and a hotel that offers delicious cuisine, comfortable accommodation as well as a wedding venue. Moreover, the beautiful surroundings also attract people who are keen on biking, hiking, horse riding and those who just want to relax and enjoy nature.
How long has it been since your last trip?? Are you tired of work from home and have itchy feet?✈️
There is good news for travel lovers around the world that with restrictions are being eased cautiously in Poland, ?galleries, ?museums, and ⛪️churches reopen from today to the public with limited capacity, and ?the hotels will open this Saturday!
Poland would be an ideal holiday destination for you if you are eager to explore a country with rich history, numerous cultural heritage, and stunning natural landscapes. It is well known that Poland has a long history and cultural heritage, but do you know that Poland boasts over 500 castles and 2,500 palaces around the country, including the world’s largest brick castle? Moreover, It’s also blessed with beautiful coastal beaches and the largest dunes in Central Europe, thousands of lakes and waterways, high mountains and picturesque valleys. Poland is a paradise for lovers of nature, history buffs, adventurers, sportsmen and those who just want to relax, there is no shortage of amazing things to do in the country.
Check out our Poland Tour Package, explore the beauty of the country with us, and create a wonderful photo book of memories! ?
From May 15, face masks would no longer be mandatory in public places, as long as you keep a distance of 1.5 m from other people, announced by Poland’s Health minister. Meanwhile, shopping centers, restaurants, hotels and museums are set to gradually reopen in early May. By then, people can enjoy fresh air without a mask and nice food and drinks in the open air with a beautiful view. Tourists will be able to visit various museums, to admire castles and palaces, to try the local cuisine, to indulge in incredible sights and fascinating cultures as well as to get a good night’s rest in a comfortable hotel.
Are you missing traveling? It’s time to start planning your next trip to Poland, in such a beautiful season of flowers.??? ??
https://www.visitpoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/112.jpeg10001000Zijian Liuhttps://www.visitpoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/logo-300x67.pngZijian Liu2021-04-30 11:21:122021-04-30 11:21:13Poland to ease lockdown restrictions from May
?Today is the international day of dance, a day to encourage participation and education in dance. Poland boasts a rich culture that is embodied in its music and dance. You have certainly heard about Fryderyk Chopin and his immortal music, but have you seen Polish national dance? It’s a kind of dance full of life and joy, displaying different characteristics in different regions in Poland. And one of the most famous is the polonaise, which is highly likely to be inscribed on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
?Make sure to enjoy this graceful dance while you are in Poland, you will fall in love with the polonaise and its elaborate costumes!
https://www.visitpoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/polonez_chopin_forum.jpg531800Zijian Liuhttps://www.visitpoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/logo-300x67.pngZijian Liu2021-04-29 16:44:222021-04-29 16:44:23The international day of dance
Can you imagine a wonderful scene of the magnificent Książ Castle adorned with colorful flowers? ??? ? ???
From 30th April to 9th May, the Flower and Art Festival will be held in the Książ Castle to celebrate the coming of spring. Floral arrangements will decorate the castle terraces, bringing with it lively colors. Garlands and flowers are dotted on the fountain and walking path. ? Spring will come to life at Książ Castle, don’t miss out on this fairytale castle packed with flowers.?
https://www.visitpoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1579622938_DZIEN3DRON.png600750Zijian Liuhttps://www.visitpoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/logo-300x67.pngZijian Liu2021-04-28 14:24:222021-04-28 14:24:23The Flower and Art Festival set to begin in the Książ Castle
Just 30 km south of Poznań, there is a spectacular palace known as the Palace in Rogalin, which is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Poland. Located in the picturesque Warta valley and surrounded by ancient oaks, this two-story palace dating back to the 18 century was home to the Raczyński family, an aristocratic family in Poland. This multi-hectare complex palace consists of a main building and two quarter-circular galeria wings connected to the side, forming a massive horseshoe in front of a vast courtyard. A French garden extends behind the palace, overlooked by the mound to the west.
Thanks to a thorough renovation in the 19 century, the palace has been restored to its former glory and has preserved practically unchanged ever since. Today it hosts a museum filled with numerous paintings, sculptures and artistic craft, including the collections of Polish and European paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. With an exquisite classical-baroque interior and a superb view of its surroundings, the Palace of Rogalin is an example of this kind of architecture. After exploring the palace, take a stroll through Rogalin Park and the ancient oak trees, some of which are centuries old. As the weather turns warmer, the Palace in Rogalin can be a nice weekend getaway for you to stroll through the landscape in and around the palace, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Poznań’s Ostrów Tumski, also known as Cathedral Island, is not only a place where Poznań was founded but also a place considered the very birth of the Polish nation. It boasts many impressive buildings, among the most important of them is Peter & Paul Cathedral, more commonly called Poznań Cathedral, which is the first cathedral in Poland, dating from the 10th century.
This spectacular cathedral we see today resulted from numerous destructions and reconstructions over the centuries. It features a gothic appearance with two tall towers and its interior is a treasure trove of sacral and historical relics. Surrounding the interior are dozen different chapels, among the most famous is the Golden Chapel behind the high altar, which was designed as the mausoleum of the first Polish monarchs and houses the sarcophagi of Kings Mieszko I and Bolesław Chrobryand. Also worth noting is the Cathedral’s crypt, where you can feast your eyes on the remains of the pre-Romanesque and Romanesque versions of the original cathedral, baptistery and the tombs of the first Polish kings.
Whether you are a history buff or just want to get a much deeper understanding of Poland, the Poznań Cathedral located in Ostrów Tumski is one not to be missed.?
