The Jewel of Warmia — Frombork

Malbork Castle is an outstanding example of a medieval fortress and was designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1997. With its unique gothic architectural complex and rich collections related to Malbork, the castle is well worth a visit. 

Known as “The Jewel of Warmia”,  Frombork is an enchanting town, situated on the northeast edge of coastal Poland. There are many historical sites, including the most interesting attraction, Formbork cathedral, which is a Roman Catholic church established by the Warmian bishops in the 13th century and located on the Cathedral Hill. 

✨ ? ? This medieval cathedral complex was classified as one of the highest class monuments, and it was also the home to the famous astronomer and mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus who wrote the epochal work ‘On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres’ and spent the latter half of his life in Frombork. You can find Copernicus-related attractions everywhere in the town, among the most attractive is Nicolaus Copernicus Museum where you can learn more about his life and work. Stroll the cathedral hill, admire the beautiful views from the tower where he used to lodge, observe the rotary motion of the Earth at Foucault’s Pendulum in the Radziejowski’s Tower, which is the tallest building of the Cathedral Hill. 

Situated in the south-eastern corner of the Cathedral Hill, Bishops’ Palace is the most important building of the area. It’s the gem of gothic-baroque architecture decorated with fascinating stained glass windows, inside you can also view lavish baroque altars and stunning 17th-century organs made by Daniel Nitrowski which is one of the most famous organs in Poland.

With imposing Cathedral Hill and breathtaking sea view, Frombork is undoubtedly worth a visit.

photo by muzeum.frombork.pl

/by

Malbork Castle – The largest brick castle in the world

Malbork Castle is an outstanding example of a medieval fortress and was designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1997. With its unique gothic architectural complex and rich collections related to Malbork, the castle is well worth a visit. 

Known for its huge medieval castle, Malbork is a town in northern Poland founded in the 13th century by the Knights of the Teutonic Order. Malbork Castle was the headquarters of the Order, situated on a peninsula between two rivers. It is a classic example of a medieval fortress and the largest brick castle in the world. After several times of expansion,  the castle eventually covers over 20 hectares comprising a tripartite layout of the High Castle, the Middle Castle, and the Outer Bailey, separated by multiple dry moats and towers. The castle once housed up to 3000 “brothers in arms” and its largest chamber at 450 sq meters, no wonder it was recognized as the largest fortress built in the Middle Ages. During World War II, over half of the castle was destroyed. After the war, the castle has been mostly reconstructed and still remains the largest brick complex in Europe. 

/by

The largest wine festival in Poland is underway

?As summer starts to fade it’s time to start celebrating the upcoming golden autumn and harvest with tasteful foods and nice wine. The celebration of wine in Zielona Góra comes on each September for nine days and begins with handing the city-keys to the god of wine – Bacchus. This joyful and colorful feast is filled with concerts, many cultural events including the famous International Festival of Folklore and a spectacular parade, which have earned the city the title of Poland’s wine capital. You can not only taste delicious foods and unique wines from different regions in the wine feast, but you can visit the vineyard of wineries to learn about winemaking in Poland as well. During the festival, the whole city transforms into a huge wine-paradise, everywhere is filled with wine-themed things, even the air was perfumed with the attractive aroma of wines.

photo by finallylost

/by

It’s 40 years since Warsaw’s Old Town added to World Heritage List

Today is the 40th anniversary of Warsaw’s Old Town listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Considered one of the most famous tourist attractions in Warsaw, The Old Town was established in the 13th century and became the heart of the capital city after the late 16th century. It’s a charming place filled with medieval architecture. Take a stroll down the narrow and winding cobblestone streets, admire its colourful tenement houses and one of the most beautiful squares in Warsaw, The Old Town Square, where you can find a statue of the Warsaw Mermaid brandishing a sword and a shield standing in the middle.

During World War II, more than 85 % of Warsaw’s historic centre was destroyed by Nazi troops. After the war, with the support of the whole nation, a five-year reconstruction campaign by its inhabitants resulted in today’s meticulous restoration of the Old Town, with its churches, palaces and market-place. A town that was laid in ruins has become an architectural miracle today, it still breathes in Medieval atmosphere. Warsaw’s Old Town is not only an outstanding example of the reconstruction of the heritage on a unique scale in the history of the world but also an expression of the unity of Polish people and the determination of the nation.

If you are interested in visiting this spectacular city, contact us for your tailored trip to Poland.?

/by

Visit Niedzica Castle and experience the medieval atmosphere

Located about 110km south of Krakow, Niedzica Castle (also known as Dunajec Zamek) in the Pieniny Mountains is a medieval castle that was originally built in 1325 by the Brezevichy family. The castle was among the most important fortifications along the Dunajec River and it’s a vital centre of Polish-Hungarian relations since the 14th century.

Due to its special location, the castle has always played a part in the Polish-Hungarian relations. For centuries, the castle was a border post of Hungary and Hungarian owners lived in the castle until World War II. After the war, the castle was repaired by Poland and since then it has become one of the most visited places in this part of the country.

This gem of architecture was built on a limestone cliff, 566 meters above the sea level, located at the upstream of Dunajec River. The castle is a superb way to get a sweeping view of the river and surrounding area. There are some legends about the castle. It’s said that one of the first owners of the castle,  Sebastian Brezevichy, whose wife was Inca royal and they brought the Inca treasure of the family to the castle. The legend says that the ghost of Umina appears every night to scare away the people who want to steal their treasure. You can find a sign along the road leading up to the castle, it’s said “Haunted Attention”.? Thanks to its picturesque location and the legend behind it, Niedzica Castle is one of the most popular attractions in Poland and appears on many national publications and books, including one of Netflix TV shows The Witcher that was shot here.

Its impressive location atop a hill, breathtaking views and ghostly legends attract hundreds of visitors each year. If you are interested in visiting this stunning castle, contact us for your tailored trip to Poland.?

/by

Magnificent Ruin of Krzyżtopór castle in Poland

With its rich history, from regal residences in Krakow to the ruined castles off the beaten path, Poland bosts over 500 castles and 2,5 thousand of palaces around the country. These charming buildings are not only witnesses of Poland’s history, but also the best recorders of the long history of Poland.

We like to share with you the most peculiar ruined castle in Poland, which is also one of my favorite attractions. Located in the little village of Ujazd, Krzyżtopór castle is a grand but dilapidated structure from many centuries ago, one of the largest buildings in Poland. It’s a little known fact that the castle was the largest palace complex in Europe until the famous French Versailles was built.

The Krzyżtopór castle was erected in the years 1631-1644 as the aristocratic residence of Krzysztof Ossoliński, designed by Italian architect Lorenzo Muretto and cost the enormous sum of 30 million Polish złotys and took 13 years to complete. The grandeur and splendor of the castle exceeded the assumption of all other buildings during the same time period.

For defensive purposes, the castle was built upon a rocky hill, with bastions at the five corners. It is said that the eccentric governor Krzysztof Ossoliński was obsessed with magic and astrology which was also infused in the design of the castle. The unique symmetry of the castle is really obvious even from different perspectives. This majestic castle embodied the structure of the calendar, with four towers representing the four seasons, 12 halls symbolizing the 12 months of the year, 52 rooms for the 52 weeks, 365 windows for 365 days,  and there’s another one used only in leap years. It is said that the ceiling of the ballroom was replaced by a transparent aquarium in which various exotic fishes were swimming above people‘s heads, while marble and mirrors were used in the interiors of the underground stables to illuminate the rooms. In terms of equipment, Krzyżtopór was furnished with amenities that were rarely seen in the 17th century, such as ventilation and heating system, and unique waterworks that provided all rooms with fresh water. Though it is regarded as a permanent ruin due to the destruction by war, there’s about 90% of the walls have been preserved and that is enough to inspire our imagination to recreate how splendid Krzyżtopór was in the 17th century.

To this day, the magnificence and spectacularity of Krzyżtopór castle captivate all who visit here. Its dimensions and architecture are still unique in many places. In addition, some interesting activities are organized here include artillery shows, concerts, dancing classes and staged knights’ battles, every few months. With this magic atmosphere and imposing views, Krzyżtopór Castle is definately worth a visit.

There’s plenty of splendid landscape to discover in Poland, contact us to find out more fantastic attractions in Poland.?

 

Photo by zloteprzeboje.tuba.pl

/by

Explore the Green Lungs of Poland

??? North-eastern Poland boasts vast forest, post-glacial lakes, basins and river valleys, known as “the Green Lungs of Poland”. If you want to explore Poland’s natural treasures, then Bialystok is an excellent base where you can walk deep into the wilderness of the Białowieska primeval forest, be fascinated by the marshes of the Biebrza river valley and enjoy a view of various charming towns and villages.

??? Visitors can travel from Białystok to Białowieża Forest, which is one of the last and largest remaining parts of the immense primeval forest in Europe. Spend the morning meeting an actual bison in European Bison Show Reserve and then pass the afternoon wandering into the depths of the Strict Protection Area to watch hundreds of species of birds, or visiting Nature and Forest Museum to learn about various animal’s lifestyles in the forest. If you love the sounds of rushing water, the blowing wind and singing birds, then the Biebrza Valley is a perfect place for you to travel. It is one of the largest wildlife refuges in Europe with pristine wetlands and marshes, the park is home to a diverse animal population, especially for different species of water birds. These picturesque parks are perfect for people wanting to switch to a slower pace of life. ???

Besides its natural beauty, Bialystok is also full of numerous historical sites. It is the capital and largest city in northeastern Poland located close to Belarus and Lithuania, which makes it become a melting pot of diverse nations, cultures and traditions.

⛪️ You can start off in the historical Old Town Square known as the Rynek Kościuszki. Visit the stunning Branicki Palace to admire its Baroque architecture and fantastic French style gardens. Appreciate the impressive Bialystok Cathedral from 17 century, which is known for its sheer magnitude and its lofty vaults. Be sure to taste special local cuisine combined with multiple traditions of Ukrainian, Baltic, German, and Russian.

/by

Fantastic Beast from Kraków

Poland is a European country with thousands of years of history, filled with many mythical creatures inspired by legends. Among them the most famous one is the Wawel Dragon in Kraków.

??  According to local legend, Kraków was a happy place under the rule of King Krakus, until a dragon came along. The Wawel dragon was constantly hungry and asked people to feed him with cattle or girls, which terrorised all local residents. Both Knights and princes failed to vanquish the beast, until a young smart shoemaker Skuba stood up and outsmarted the Dragon with a calfskin stuffed with smoldering sulfur. As a result, the dragon ate the skin and died poisoned by the sulfur, the inhabitants of the region could finally return to peaceful life.

?? Today, you can still find the Dragon’s Den form 21 meters below ground. At the exit of the cave is a large dragon-shaped statue. It stands on the Vistula riverbank in the shade of Wawel Castle and expells fire out of its mouth every five minutes. Due to the popularity of the legend and the statue, the Wawel dragon became a symbol of the city. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kraków, especially for children.

??? There’s plenty more fantastic beasts to discover in Poland, are you ready to explore more interesting attractions with us!

/by

Treat yourself to royal treatment at the Wierzynek restaurant

? Wierzynek is a fantastic historic restaurant located at the Main Square of Kraków Old Town in Poland. This glorious architecture occupies four floors and has eight separate dining rooms for 200 guests.

? The exquisite interiors of original period furnishings, 19th century paintings, shiny brass wall lamps and incredible timber ceilings make you feel like you’ve stepped into a 14th century palace. From the moment you entered the Wierzynek restaurant, you will experience royal treatment.

? The tradition of Wierzynek dates back to 1364, when a wealthy merchant Mikołaj Wierzynek hosted a splendid feast served on gold and silver plates for the guests of King Casimir the Great, including Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and many other kings and princes on the opening night. Records from the Cracow cathedral chronicle, the feast lasted twenty days and It is impossible to describe how joyful, magnificent, glorious and abundant this feast was, except by saying that all were given more than they had wished for.

? Thanks to its exquisite traditional Polish cuisine, the highest standards of service, luxury interiors full of delicate ornaments, Wierzynek was a Global Winner of International World Luxury Restaurant Awards in Luxury Theme Restaurant category as well as mentioned in the American bestseller “1000 Places to See Before You Die” as a place which is well worth a visit. 

❤️ With such splendid history and first-class food and service, no wonder many world leaders and celebrities like Charles de Gaulle and Sophie Marceau visited here.

? Do not miss this place next time you visit Krakow.

? Short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU-3PBw-g3A

/by

Dreamlike watercolours of Warsaw

If you see Warsaw through the eyes of an artist and architect Tytus Brzozowski, you will find a dreamlike city where decorative buildings sit on lofty stilts and trains seem to emerge from tunnels in the side of residential buildings.

He creates a new magical world by combining the elements of architecture and landscape of Warsaw where all bathed in a beautiful, golden sunlight.

Tytus’s paintings are being recognized around the world for its surreal depictions of cityscapes, a string of exhibitions of his new series works will be held both in Poland and abroad.

Visit Poland DMCWhy not go sightseeing around this vibrant city at first, to find all the magical elements which make Warsaw so unique and attractive ?

This time, we promise that we will slow down to appreciate the beautiful capital of Poland and create our own colorful paintings of Warsaw.

Visit Poland DMC

Visit Poland DMc

Visit Poland DMC

Images by Tytus Brzozowski

/by