Park of Poland – the Water World!

The huge Suntago Wodny Świat complex is the first stage of the Park of Poland investment. Located between Warsaw and Łódź, specifically in Wręcza near Mszczonów. The access will be extremely convenient, as you will be able to reach the A2 motorway and the S8 express road. The area of ​​the entire investment will be 400 hectares, of which the water park will take 20 hectares. Within the whole complex, GCH intends to build the Suntago Water World park, theme parks, the village of Suntago with Cabaña-type houses, hotels, conference and shopping center, Silicon Valley office buildings and apartment buildings.

The design sounds amazing, all bungalows enter the construction site fully finished, they will be equipped with a double bedroom, living room with sofa bed, kitchenette, bathroom with shower and a private terrace with garden furniture and barbecue. Guests will have at their disposal all the necessary equipment, such as: Samsung Smart TV, microwave, hob, fridge, kettle and hair dryer. The opening is planned for the third quarter of 2019.

The tropical climate of the building is extremely reminiscent of Tropical Islands near Berlin, although the Park of Poland will consist of much more than water attractions.

The area of ​​the entire investment will be 400 hectares, of which the water park will take 20 hectares. Within the whole complex, GCH intends to build the Suntago Water World park, theme parks, the village of Suntago with Cabaña-type houses, hotels, conference and shopping center, Silicon Valley office buildings and apartment buildings.

The facility includes thirty slides, thermal baths, mineral pools, a spa complex and over ten different types of saunas. About 600 people will work in the park.

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Chopin concerts in the Royal Łazienki Park

Chopin concerts in Royal Łazienki Park began their 60th season. Outdoor concerts in the most beautiful Warsaw park are one of the main holiday attractions of the capital.

This year, from May 19 at 12:00 and 16:00, until the end of September everyone can enjoy the concerts on Sundays afternoon, admission to all concerts is free.

The concerts became a cultural showcase of Warsaw. The first such event took place in 1959 and since then each edition has been differed from the previous one. First, the season was started with the orchestra, there was also a period when the concerts had a verbal and musical form, where apart from the pianists, one could listen to actors reciting poetry.

Artists performing at the Chopin monument are both pianists making their first steps on international stages, as well as world-class musicians.

This year, the season was inaugurated by Krzysztof Jabłoński, the winner of the III Prize of the 11th International Competition. F. Chopin in Warsaw in 1985 and a number of leading prizes in international piano competitions around the world.

The atmosphere of Chopin’s concerts is absolutely unique and being for a holiday in the capital you can not miss this cultural event. Each edition is unique and will delight even the most severe critics. Concerts have become a tradition that connects generations. It is a great idea to spend a free day in a fairy-tale place in the very center of the city, which will bring us back in time and satisfy in every detail.

picture source: http://koncerty-chopinowskie.pl/

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Most Popular Museums in Poland

In the whole world there are plenty of fascinating and interesting museums. Everybody knows Luvr in Paris, MoMa in New York or National Gallery in London. But did you know that Poland has also some amazing ones? Thanks to the difficult history, talented artists and powerful kings, after many decades and centuries, you can now admire their work and legacy.

  1. The Museum of the Palace of King Jan III in Wilanów – if you are visiting Warsaw it is a great opportunity to visit this museum. It is not only a magnificent building with lots of sculptures and painting. It has a wonderful and big garden, which is an ideal spot for a long walk during the summer season. Every year almost 3 million people visit this museum!
  2. The Royal Łazienki Museum – its mesmerizing gardens have appeared in many books and novels. Thanks to its location in the Warsaw city center, locals come here often to relax after a long day in work. Museum is combined here with a lot of attractions, there are organized many concerts, exhibitions and meeting. You can also sail a real gondola on the pond in front of the Palace on the Island. For sport amateurs there is a stable where you can have a horse ride. Definitely a magical place!
  3. Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in Oświęcim. This museum is well-known also abroad. It is a reminder of the horrible war experiences. To visit this museum you have to prepare yourself.It is not easy to be here but is worth it. It is a place which warns you, that people are capable of the worst in the name of an ideology.
  4. Wawel Royal Castle in Cracow – while visiting Cracow, this is ‘a must”. You won’t find here giant gardens (like in Wilanów), but a chapel, courtyard and a cathedral which will take your breath away. The Cathedral is a very important place, because it is filled with priceless works of art, including tombstones of kings. An absolute masterpiece of Renaissance art is also the Sigismund Chapel. Entering the walled castle complex is a journey in time – you can feel the spirit of a really ancient age.
  5. The Cracow Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka is something you have probably never experienced. The Wieliczka Salt Mine was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978 as one of the first 12 objects in the world. The deepest corridor of the Wieliczka mine is located 327 meters underground, and the total length of all underground pavements reaches 300 kilometers. Visiting the Wieliczka mine, you can see not only pits but also real works of art, like salt sculptures or chapels. Fun fact – in the Chapel of Saint Kinga you can even get married.

As you can see, museum don’t have to be boring and visited only in rainy days. They are fun, beautiful and perfect for families. You can enjoy yourself in their gardens or just stop by to slow down a bit and focus on the moment.

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Warsaw night life

This summer is going to be long and warm, so if you are a party animal Polish capital – Warsaw, is your place to be!

Only here you can enjoy the atmosphere, the variety of flavors, aromas, creativity and inspiration. Thanks to the courtesy of Westin hotel (Marriott group) which is our business partner already since its opening we can share with you these amazing pictures of the most marvelous Warsaw by night. Sink in the crazy and fast life style which this city guarantees, go clubbing and dance like nobody is watching and have a unique cocktail with a view on the city or Vistula river. Let’s have some fun!

Picture by Marcin Łuniewski

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Fully kosher hotel in the heart of Kazimierz District in Cracow

Kazimierz district in Cracow is well-known for its jewish history. Now it is about to get a step forward. Between ul. Dietla and Podbrzezie, next to the Temple synagogue with the Jewish Community Center, a 4-star hotel is about to open. It wouldn’t be unusual, if not for the fact that is going to be completely kosher!

The opening is planned for autumn next year. Hotel will have 117 rooms, a kosher kitchen and a mikveh (used for ritual washing of the body).  The hotel will be on a standard of 4 stars. The height of the building was adapted to the surroundings.

The investment includes reconstruction of the tenement house at ul. Dietla 59 and the creation of a new building with an underground garage for 25 parking spots at ul. Podbrzezie 4. The new hotel will have a historical façade with numerous decorations and a characteristic balcony.  The hotel will have a courtyard, a conference and banquet area with a total area of nearly 500 m2.

Only kosher meals will be served at the restaurant in the hotel. The kitchen won’t use pork or any non-kosher products. In the restaurant there should be separate cutlery sets for the meat and milk meals, because in the kosher kitchen these dishes can’t be mixed. Orthodox Jews do not eat meat after eating milk for six hours.

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The Royal Castle and its beautiful garden

The Royal Castle has always been an important symbol of Poland. Today, the former residence of rulers and kings of Poland is one of the most recognizable monuments of the city.

The culmination of his many years of reconstruction is the opening of the castle gardens. The restoration project for the lower gardens started in 2017. Archaeological, construction and gardening works were carried out thanks to co-financing from the EU and the Ministry of Culture. The garden is now more beautiful than ever.

            The arrangement of the Lower Garden lasted 482 days. It started on September 6, 2017, ended December 28, 2018. In this short time, the unused 1,9-hectare space in the foreground of the Royal Castle, between Arkady Kubicki and busy Wisłostrada, has changed beyond recognition. A modernist garden was created here with a lawn deep in the ground, a granite terrace with fountains, a system of paths, decorative vases, flowerbeds, rows of trimmed bushes and trees, and a complex technical infrastructure hidden in the ground.

For the first time in its history, the Royal Castle in Warsaw has fully decorated gardens. Their finished lower level was waiting for it over 200 years, from the time of Stanisław August Poniatowski. The grand opening has taken place last Saturday – 11thMay.

You can Visit Poland to see the garden or just click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-rg4uMD2ZM

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Obwarzanek Krakowski – delicious tradition festival!

Let’s talk about something super delicious and one of the reason to visit Cracow! – Obwarzanek Krakowski.

Braided ring-shaped bread that is boiled and sprinkled with salt, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, etc., before being baked. It has a white, sweetish, moist and chewy crumb underneath a crunchy golden-brown crust. You can get it nearly at every street cart in Cracow streets. It has the status of a regional food with protected geographical indication by European Union.

Now the best part of it all – this year will be the first festival of Obwarzanek ever! On the 26th and 27th of May at Szczepański Square and Planty – masters of pastries from Krakow and the surrounding area will present their products. The date of the event is not accidental – it refers to the privileges granted by Jan Olbracht on May 26, 1496, under which the bagels could be baked and sold only by the Cracovian bakers.

Each visitor will be able to try an obwarzanek – both sauté or with traditional additions of poppy, salt and cheese, as well as in the form of culinary variations created by the best restaurateurs. Local restaurants will start in the competition for the best variation from obwarzanek. At the stands, you will be able to taste various of other specialties from the region. Beside eating, everyone will enjoy a Street Theater performance and many other artistic events, workshops on drawing, preparing obwarzanek from salt mass or baking laboratory.

Krakow was chosen the European Capital of Gastronomy Culture 2019. The advantage of Krakow’s cuisine is its diversity, gastronomic tradition is derived from many cultures. It’s not only one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, with a great history, but also a magnificent place to eat.

In June last year, the European Gastronomic Academy unanimously decided that Krakow will be the European Capital of Gastronomy Culture 2019. In the strict finale of efforts for this title, the capital of Lesser Poland defeated even Lisbon.

Picture source: https://www.thespruceeats.com/jewish-polish-krakover-bagels-recipe-1135425 (btw, you can find a recipe how to make a real Obwarzanek here)

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Street art taking over Polish walls

Street art in Poland is growing rapidly and the design and concept is definitely world-class. It is not only a way of expressing yourself, but also a form of freedom, tribute and message, which can be seen and understood by everyone. It has become one of the most popular trends in contemporary art.

In Poland there are being festivals organized in every major city, galleries and auction houses exhibit works of street artists, dozens of murals are created, publications are published, debates, workshops and lectures are held. It is a trendy issue already for several years. We have selected just a few of them, there are many more!

  1. Etam Cru – Mateusz Gapski and Przemek Blejzyk, both are graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts in the department of Graphics and Painting in Łódź, so as you can see they are highly educated in the area that they create. They are the most known duo in polish street art, thanks to years of work and studies together, they created a unique and recognizable style. They started in Bydgoszcz, now you can admire their paintings in Olsztyn, Łódź and Warsaw. Over time, they began to spread their talent abroad – Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Portugal and the USA.
  1. M-city– his real name is Mariusz Waras, and he is also very close to the university life. He graduated from the Graphic Department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk an currently he works as the assistant to one of the professors at the faculty of painting. His style is based on working with templates. M-city works are very well-known world-wide and his work was featured at the opening of Urban Nation Museum in 2017.
  1. Sepe – Michał Wręga. Since 1996, he has been associated with graffiti art and the Polish street art scene. He currently lives and works in Warsaw as a graphic artist, painter and illustrator. His works can be seen on walls in such cities as: Munich, Oslo, Prague, Berlin, Lille, Lucerne, Warsaw, Gdańsk, Łódź, Wrocław, Bydgoszcz, Szczecin, Katowice.
  1. Natalia Rak – finally a girl in the business. She has started her adventure with art long before she graduated from Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź. She grew up in a small village and out of boredom started to create. Now she is one of the most known street artist in Poland, her hallmark are very bright colors.
  1. Chazme – Daniel Kaliński currently living and working in Warsaw was born in Switzerland. He is a graduate of Faculty of Architecture on the University of Warsaw. His art is very architectonic and full of straight shapes. He sometimes cooperates with Sepe. Their styles are really opposite, but that is just what makes it unique and breathtaking.
  1. Pener started working in the street art surrounding already in the middle of the 90s. He focuses on the shape, frame and mixing various materials. His artistic achievements contain paintings, walls and animations. His style can be defined as large format abstractionism.

While talking about polish street art, we have to let you know about the new amazing works than we can now admire in the streets of polish cities. First of all the giant mural that has been created this September in Częstochowa. It is a marvelous outcome from a very fascinating duo cooperation – Stefan Rybicki is a local watchmaker and originator of the whole idea and Tomasz Sętowski is an artist known not only in his city. The unveiling ceremony of the mural, which is called “Guardian of Time”, was at the same time the opening of the 15th Cultural Night in Częstochowa. Another amazing, artistic initiative have been created in Warsaw as a tribute to Kora – a great singer who died of cancer last year. What is so unique? It changes every season. The “hair” of the singer makes it special, the author of the mural presented it as a crown made of branches. The rest of her hair consists of the branches of a real tree growing next to it – now, during spring, she has a beautiful green “haircut”.

 

Picture source: https://www.etamcru.com/etam/madamme-chicken

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18 nominations from Poland in the Mies van der Rohe Award 2019!

The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award is a Prize organized by the European Union and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, “to acknowledge and reward quality architectural production in Europe’.

The Prize was created in 1987 as a partnership between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe. Competition is open to all the works completed in Europe within the two-year period before the granting of the Prize.

383 projects from 38 countries – this is a list of the nominees for the Mies van der Rohe European award 2019. This year, 18 objects from Poland were fighting for the main prize.  All the projects nominated this year are pretty amazing, but we have chosen our favorites. They are not only beautiful in the way they are designed and built, but they are very functional.

You can for example send your kids to this super modern school which looks like straight from Hollywood films. Akademeia High School in Warsaw, designed by Medusa Group is a one of a kind studying area in Poland. It focuses on educating young people in order to help them achieve the highest qualifications and get into the best universities in the world.

“By the way House” is the second of our top favorites. Designed by KWK Promes studio, located in central Poland on a beautiful, huge field above the river bank. The owner’s wish was not only to make the best use of the existing landscape conditions, but also to move the interior from the current apartment. The owners wanted mainly to have a private and intimate leaving area, so the house is in the center of the plot, and the living area is on the first floor.

Building of the District Court in Siedlce is a mix of the seriousness and calmness of ancient buildings. Thanks to the restrained form the building looks enormously majestic. In the interior, architects contrasted architectural concrete with transparent glass details. The harmony effect was obtained by combining empty spaces filled with light and full, simple forms.

Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk is built on a lot at Władysław Bartoszewski Square near the center of the city. It is located in a symbolic architectural space, 200 metres from the historic Polish Post Office in Gdańsk and 3 kilometers across the water from Westerplatte Peninsula, both of which were attacked in September 1939.

NAWA – the sculpture of Oskar Zięta on the Daliowa Island in Wrocław is a part of the events related with the celebration of the European Capital of Culture. It refers to the main slogan – “metamorphosis of culture”. Its form is an artistic interpretation of the constant transformation of the city. NAWA is an ultra-light, but solid construction consisting of 35 steel arches forming a gate through which you can walk.

The lucky nominees were 18 objects, but we have chosen (subjectively) 5 of them. Polish architects and architecture companies grow rapidly showing that our country represent the world level.

 

picture source: EUMiesAward website

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Top 5 Most Stunning Polish Castles

In Poland there are almost 420 castles, and although most of them are ruined, there are several dozen which look like in an old fairy tale. Maybe Walt Disney was inspired by the German Neuschwanstein castle, but we can promise you that the polish ones are as adorable as the ones abroad, or even more!

They show us an amazing architecture variety, you can find among them medieval fortresses, elegant residences, but also fancy buildings from a fairy tale or legend. Throughout centuries, they have inspired artists and played a big role in cinematography. Their beauty and history still fascinates thousands of people all around the world. The historical castles and rich cultural heritage of our country are today reminiscent of fortified castles and representative palaces.

  1. Malbork Castle

Sightseeing of this monumental building will keep you busy for at least few hours. The whole area is over 20 ha, there are actually three castles (High, Medium and Low), and over 4.5 million bricks were used to build them.  From 1309, the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order resided there and as it can be seen he could enjoy a lot of luxury as for his times. He had, among others underfloor heating or a secluded toilet.  You can go back in time, thanks to their numerous of historical reconstructions.

  1. Castle in Moszna

It looks totally like from a Disney fairytale! Combination of 3 architecture styles, 99 towers, a beautiful large pond and rooms for every day of the year (365!). It is located only 35 kilometers from Opole and it has used to be the residence of the Silesian family Tiele-Winckler. Not only the building is worth visiting, but also the enormous park – about 200 hectare(!). The castle has been extended with an additional wing just before the World War I. For many years it has been used by the Center for Neurotic Therapy. It doesn’t sound unusual, because there is no better place to relax and get in great mood.

  1. Czocha Castle

This castle is known from many films, series and even music videos. This place looks like it has been created specially for spectacular shots – with a moat, thick walls, a photogenic courtyard and a huge tower. It has also very mysterious history.  It was created in the mid-13th century by the order of the Czech King Wenceslaus I and for the next centuries he witnessed numerous sieges, bloody counts and macabre crimes. But through the World War II it had also been a very difficult period at the castle. Nazi created there a laboratory where they have carried out various experiments with new types of weapons.

  1. Książ Castle

It is the third largest – and, according to many people, the most beautiful castle complex in Poland. Built at the end of the 13th century by the Silesian Piasts and repeatedly rebuilt in subsequent centuries, the place is stunning with stylistic diversity. During the last war, one of the secret quarters of Adolf Hitler was located here, and priceless treasures were stored in underground labyrinths, including collections of the Berlin State Library. It is famous for the unearthly beauty of the duchess Maria Teresa Hochberg von Pless, who is affectionately called Daisy. She was the wife of the last owner of the Duke’s estates. She hosted many famous guests, such as: Winston Churchill (privately her nephew), Emperor Franz Joseph, and even Indian Maharaja.

  1. Dunajec Castle in Niedzica

The history of this place is full of mystery. After World War II in the castle has been found a suspicious document written in the ancient script called “kipu”.  It was supposed to be a kind of leading map to a hidden place with treasure left here by the descendants of the Inca ruler, Tupac Amaru II. Why did the Indians from Machu Picchu decide to go all the way here? Well, Tupac’s nephew – and the only rightful heir to the Andean empire – married the daughter of a Hungarian aristocrat, whose family was then owned by the Niedzica fortress. The treasures were found to this day, so maybe you will be the lucky one?

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