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Ladek Zdroj is a picturesque health resort situated in Lower Silesia and is considered the oldest spa town in Poland as well as one of the oldest in Europe. According to historical sources, there were bathing facilities here as early as 1241 which were destroyed by Mongols returning after the Battle of Legnica.

In the late 15th century, the first medical institution “Jerzy” with a swimming pool was built here and was very well known, which was named after the owner of these lands, Prince Jerzy of Podebrady. For centuries, the mountain climate and numerous natural springs with healing waters have attracted many visitors and remarkable figures which included the Prussian King Frederick the Great, Queen Louise, the wife of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Tsar Alexander I and also John Quincy Adams.

Most of the spa buildings here were built in the 18th and 19th centuries ranging from Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque with rich decor. The neo-baroque Wojciech Natural Medicine Centre is among the most famous and impressive building here that can be found in nearly every postcard from Ladek Zdroj. The building was built in the 19h century and modelled on the Turkish baths. It features bathrooms with antique bathtubs, a pump room and an oval swimming pool covered with an ornate 39m high dome. Today its beautiful indoor pool is open to the public, it’s really worth a dip!

Spend time in a picturesque Polish spa town with rich historical architectures, and enjoy the mineralized thermal spa and unwind in the idyllic surrounding of mountains. Life is fantastic, isn’t it? ?

? Check out our tour package Luxury break in Southern Poland to experience the perfect spa in Poland.?

Photo: ehtta.eu

The Biebrza National Park, which covers almost 592.23 km2 of land around the unregulated Biebrza River, is not only the largest national park in Poland but also one of Europe’s largest marsh and peat areas. Established in 1993, the Park protects vast and relatively untouched wetlands and marshes which are rich with diverse fascinating vegetation and home to over 260 different species of birds and many different species of mammals such as elk and beaver.

Every year, the natural wetland environments of Biebrza valley not only attract the migratory birds arriving but also thousands of birdwatchers and lovers of the great outdoors who are eager to admire the unspoiled, wild nature of this area as well. Although Biebrza possesses incredible natural beauty all year round, the best time to observe birds and wild creatures are spring and autumn. In spring, one can witness the magnificent natural phenomenon that the swollen river overflows its banks and floods the surrounding fields creating huge floodplains and thousands of migrant birds return to the River. The autumn brings with it the elk mating season and huge flocks of cranes gather in preparation for the winter migration.

Despite its overall marshy character, large parts of the park are crossed by hiking trails and educational nature paths that can be explored by bicycle and on foot. For birdwatchers, they can also climb up to the wooden viewing platforms to observe birds and enjoy the surrounding landscape as well. In summer, it’s also a good choice to experience a kayak tour on the river Biebrza.

Tarnów is a picturesque city packed with history and architecture, located in southeastern Poland, just 80 km from Krakow. With plenty of well-preserved Gothic and Renaissance buildings, Tarnów has been hailed by historians as the “Pearl of the Renaissance”. 

The origin of the Tarnów can be traced to 1330, but the city was the private property of the affluent local Tarnowski family for several centuries until the 18th century. During the Renaissance periods, the city became a trade center on the busy route between Krakow and Kyiv and prospered. Although much of the town has retained its Galician atmosphere, many of Tarnow’s finest monuments were indeed raised during the Renaissance. One of the highlights in the city is a Gothic red-brick Town Hall dating to the 15th century, sitting in the heart of its Old Town Square which is one of the prettiest in Poland, surrounded by the Renaissance tenement houses. The town hall features a 30-meter tower and the oldest hand-winding clock in Poland.

There are also several interesting museums close to the market square offer truly unusual collections like the Ethnographic Museum, which is one of the very few museums presenting the history and culture of Gypsies. Additionally, there are several superb churches in Tarnów and the surrounding area. The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was considered one of the finest there, as well as the biggest building in the town. This Gothic church near the Old Town Square features an iconic statue of Pope John Paul II, for it was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1987.

For culture lovers, another good option is to spend half a day traveling to the nearby village of Zalipie, where the building was completely covered in flower art. It was considered the prettiest village in Poland, only 35km north of Tarnów. This small village is known for its unusual tradition that the house inside and outside decorated with lovely floral patterns, even the church.

With its rich history, amazing local places of interest and fascinating culture, Tarnów has a lot to discover and will bring you many unforgettable moments.

Do you know that Cinderella Story also happened in Poland?    

The story began in the 19th century in the tiny village of Kopice, where a majestic palace was set there and ruled by the von Borsnitz family. The palace was once known for having served as the seat of the knight in the mid 14th century, named Kopice Palace (former Schloss Koppitz), snd this is where the story begins.

The main character of our story is a lovely girl, Joanna Schaffgotsch, who was born into a poor Silesian family in 1842. Her mother worked as a maid for Karl Godulla, who was the Silesna’s wealthiest people. There are no other family members who can take care of this little girl, so her mother always brings her along to work daily.Godulla never had a close relationship with any of his relatives but he was deeply touched by this little girl’s sweet innocence and outspokenness, which made him determined to give this little girl all she will ever need to become a respectable woman. After Godulla‘s death, the little girl inherited all his property and grew up fast to become a beautiful, kind and positive lady who also gained the respect of a queen and obtained the title of nobility granted by the King of Prussia. 

In 1859,  the Kopice Palace has changes hands several times and eventually purchased by the von Schafgottsch family who changed its classical style to the neo-Gothic style it is today. Both she and her husband was laid to rest here, surrounded by the lush forest and lake. This is the legendary life of ‘Silesian Cinderella.’ 

Today, this majestic palace has turned into picturesque ruins. Nonetheless, there is still spectacular beauty and well worth a visit.

Photos: visitopolskie.pl

??☠️Halloween is fast approaching, you may have seen some carving pumpkins and Halloween skulls decorations and props of late. Not only is skulls the symbol of Halloween, but it’s decorative elements for some unusual churches.

Located in the small Polish town of Czermna, the Skull Chapel (Polish: Kaplica Czaszek) is a small and unassuming chapel. But you would be shocked by what’s hidden behind the wooden door. The skulls and bones of over 3,000 victims of wars and plagues cover the walls and ceiling, with another 21,000 skeletons fillings the church crypt below. 

The chapel was built in 1776 by Bohemian local parish priest Vaclav Tomasek, who was inspired by Rome’s Capuchin Crypt. Served as a mass grave for local people who died from war and disease during that period of time, the chapel was intended as a shrine for the dead, as well as a “memento mori” for the living. After Tomasek died, his skull was placed on the altar as well as the bones of important figures. Additionally, there are a crucifix and two carvings of angels inside, one with a Latin inscription that reads ‘Arise from the Dead’.

The Skull Chapel is the only such monument in Poland, and one of six in Europe. It may leave people feeling a little bit creepy, but it is well worth a visit!

Photo: Mariusz Cieszewski