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The Old City of Zamość

The Old City of Zamość in southeastern Poland is one of the few cities in the world that was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a whole! This charming little town was considered an outstanding example of a Renaissance planned town of the late 16th century, which was designed and built in accordance with Italian theories on the creation of “ideal” cities.

The history of Zamość dates back to 1580 and was conceived as an economic center due to its special location on trading routes linking western and northern Europe with the Black Sea. Its inhabitants, who came from different countries, brought their own culture into the city making it home to multi-cultural and multi-religious, which created the unique character of Zamość. 

The heart of Zamość is located in the Old Town, where visitors can find most of the tourist attractions in the city that are worth a visit and can easily walk everywhere. The old town features one of Europe‘s imposing city squares, surrounded by the impressive fortifications which was one of the biggest fortresses of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Wandering the old city square, visitors will marvel at its magnificent Town Hall with a fan-shaped double stairway and a tall clock tower, and picturesque townhouses with arcades of varied shapes. Zamość is often referred to as the Pearl of the Renaissance because it features a large number of unique buildings blending Italian and Central European architectural traditions, and its original layout has remained unchanged since its creation in the 16th century. 

Besides the well-preserved architectural gems, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the Roztocze National Park as well as five other pleasant parks around the city, which offer many possibilities for people to relax, hike and take a short bicycle trip. Zamość is definitely an underrated Polish treasure and well worth a visit.

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The 10th anniversary of the Copernicus Science Centre

? Happy birthday to Copernicus Science Centre, which has been in operation for 10 years. 

As one of the largest and most modern institutions of this type in Europe, the Copernicus Science Centre is a real paradise for science buffs containing over 400 interactive exhibits that enable visitors to carry their own experiments and unlock the secrets of science by themselves. It features five galleries, a large exhibit for teenagers, a distinctive rooftop garden, the Discovery Park and the Heavens of Copernicus Planetarium where visitors could enjoy some of the films, shows, and concerts about natural science.

The Copernicus Science Centre beautifully sits on the banks of the famous Wisła River, just a short walk away from the Old Town. After a fascinating scientific adventure, visitors often enjoy unwinding on the grass in the Discovery Park.

If you are interested in this place and want to explore other full-filled attractions in Warsaw, click on the link ? Worth to Visit in Warsaw to find out more about Must-Visit Attractions in Warsaw.?

Photo: Kalbar/TFN

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Tarnów – Pearl of the Renaissance

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.

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The Churches of Peace, the world’s largest wooden Protestant church

Have you heard about the churches of peace? ⛪️?️
They’re the world’s largest wooden Protestant churches, located in the towns of Jawor and Świdnica in the Silesia region of south-western Poland, a real Pearl of Silesia.

They may look unremarkable from the outside, but when you entered the churches, you will be blown away by their internal wood structures, the rich décor, and the surprisingly great capacity. Not surprisingly the churches were added to Unesco’s World Heritage List under a single inscription in 2001.

The story of how these two churches came from is also impressive. It takes place in the seventeenth century when the Peace of Westphalia was signed in October 1648 to end the Thirty Years’ War(1618-1648). According to the terms of the peace treaty, there was not allowed to erect any Protestant churches in the Catholic duchies of Silesia, which means the Evangelicals who constituted the majority of the population in these areas were deprived of the religious freedom they had hitherto enjoyed and lost almost all of their churches. However, backed by Sweden, the Protestants of Silesia secured the right to build three new churches to commemorate the end of the devastating war and religious conflicts, but with a series of exceptionally strict restrictions: These three churches could not feature a tower and had to be completed within one year. What’s more, the buildings had to be constructed out of wood, clay, and sand only. With combined efforts of Protestant inhabitants of Silesia and the superb construction technology of architect Albrecht von Saebisch, the Churches of Peace in Jawor and Swidnica were managed to be finished before the deadline and became the world’s biggest wooden churches. The third of the Churches of Peace was built in Głogów but burned down in 1758.

The church in Jawor is one of the most unique examples of timber-frame architecture, which is about 14 meters wide and 15.7 meters high and can have up to 6,000 people. It also features an exquisite interior, richly adorned with 180 paintings representing scenes from the Old and New Testaments as well as various coats-of-arms.
The church in Świdnica was built as a three-aisled basilica with a Greek cross ground plan, decorated with the splendor interiors. The church can accommodate 7,500 people to attend a mass. The highlight of the church is an 18th-century altarpiece by Gotfried August Hoffmann and massive church organs, with its 3909 organ pipes still in operation.

With a phenomenal design, the churches of peace are very impressive and unique, well worth a visit! Besides, the distance between the two churches is less than 40 km, you can easily visit both churches in one day. ?

Photo: Jar.ciurus

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Silesian Cinderella in the Kopice Palace

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

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A Castle Full Of Secrets – The Czocha Castle

Lower Silesia is crowned with a number of tourist attractions and impressive palaces and castles, and one of the castles that cannot be missed is the imposing 13th-century Czocha Castle. Situated in the picturesque village of Czocha, it is one of the few places in Poland that the past and the future come together.

The castle was beautifully located on the Leśnia Lake and built on gneiss rock, surrounded by lush forests. After centuries of political turbulence and a fire in 1793, peace finally came to the castle and the construction was restored to its former glory as well. 

With Gothic hip-roofed, this defensive castle features a renaissance well, a Knight Chamber, a Prince Chamber as well as a lookout tower where one can have a beautiful panorama of the surrounding Kwisa River and the nearby forests to be seen. The most exciting part of the visit is to find hidden passages and bookcases that open to reveal tunnels and staircases.

Apart from the castle, there are plenty of entertainment activities are organized in the castle on a regular basis, including medieval feasts, Knights’ tournaments, dance shows, comedy acts, concerts and other fun-filled events.

Today, the castle is open to visitors and also functions as a hotel and a conference center to accommodate 100  guests, as well as a perfect place for performing marriage ceremonies. Every year, the majesty of the castle draws particular attention from tourists, who can admire its well-preserved aristocratic interiors, explore many legends and mysterious stories of this medieval castle, and enjoy the magnificent view of the castle surrounding. Beautiful castle in a marvelous landscape, Czocha Castle is well worth a visit.

Photos: poland.travel

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The Skull Chapel in Czermna

??☠️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

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The largest SKY WALK in Świeradów-Zdrój

Have you ever wanted to walk on clouds? ☁️?‍♀️? Come to Świeradów-Zdrój and experience the largest “path in the clouds” in Poland, then it will come true. This fantastic work will be completed in the spring of next year, it’s a 70-meter-high lookout tower with a 3 km walking trail and a special slide which is about 103-meter-long!

Situated in the Sudety Mountains, Świeradów-Zdrój is a spa town in south-western Poland near the border with the Czech Republic famous for its healing mineral waters, a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery.

In the heart of Swieradow-Zdroj, there is a majestic historic Spa House where you can taste the mineral waters. It features a 46-meter-high clock tower and an elegant 80-meter-long larch walking hall that made completely out of wood, which is the superb craftsmanship that does not exist anymore. The beautiful and distinctive buildings were built in the 18th and mid-19th centuries and well preserved, it’s really worth a visit even today.

Apart from being a top health resort in Poland, Świeradów-Zdrój is a tourist and holiday center that offers beautiful natural surroundings that attract visitors who prefer to explore its natural beauty on foot or two wheels. In the winter, Swieradow-Zdroj is also known for its excellent skiing locations where there are two prepared toboggan runs, six ski-lifts as well as the year-round gondola to the top of Stog Izerski. ⛷️?

Photo:polskazachwyca.pl

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Pieniny Mountains In Poland

???If you are a nature lover and looking for a nice place with lots of nature, beautiful views, to enjoy the autumn colors, then visiting Pieniny Mountains is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in nature during the Polish autumn which is a perfect time to explore the colorful country.

Pieniny is a stunningly beautiful, 35km-long mountain range located near the border of Poland and Slovakia, and the autumn colors make it even more appealing. The Pieniny mountain is consists of three separate ranges divided by the Dunajec River, the highlight is the most famous mountain range Trzy Korony (Three Crowns), which consists of five sharp peaks and the highest one is the 982-meter-high Okrąglica. Hiking to the top of Okrąglica, there is an observation platform with an excellent view of the Dunajec river gorge and the vast area of the surrounding Mountains. In nice weather, one can see as far as Babia Góra, 63 km away. Another outstanding mountain in Pieniny is Sokolica, which is well known for the pine relics on the slope of the Sokolica summit, one of them is 500 years old and regarded as an unofficial symbol of Pienins.

Some say that the most beautiful easy hiking trails in Europe are in the Pieniny National Park where trails are well marked and short, and no trekking equipment is necessary, which is perfect for families with children. The Pieniny mountains is a favorite destination not only for hikers but for history lovers, who can admire the medieval Niedzica Castle built on a limestone cliff and the 14th century Red Monastery on the Slovakian border, and so on. With the picturesque peaks and a comfortable temperature during autumn, the Pieniny will leave all visitors with a lifetime of memories.

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The Augustów Canal

Augustów Canal is a cross-border canal built in the 19th century with a total length of 101.3 km connecting the Biebrza River and with the Neman River, is the longest technological achievement in Poland as well as one of Europe’s largest canals. There are only three such channels in the world: Caledonian in the UK, Sweden Gota Canal, and Augustów Canal, which is located on the territory of Poland and Belarus.

Described as a technological marvel at the time of its construction, the canal starts at Lake Serwy near Polish Augustów, which is one of the most precious historical sites in the Podlaskie region. The canal connects seven natural lakes and eleven rivers, crosses Augustów Primeval Forest, the so-called ‘Green Lung of Poland’, which made it possible to perfectly integrate the canal with the surrounding elements of the natural environment. While rowing and sailing in an artificial river is perhaps not the most fun thing, passing through 18 locks that raise and lower the water level by 3.5 meters can be an exciting experience. Take a boat trip, enjoy the magnificent sights along the picturesque waterway, you will be fascinated by the natural beauty of the lake district.?⛵️??

Today, the whole Polish stretch of the canal is navigable and one can even reach the border with Belarus by kayak. It’s one of the most beautiful kayak trails in Poland, while those who seek quiet relaxation can set off on a passenger boat or take a walking tour along the canal. With such beautiful natural surroundings and all kinds of water sports, Augustów Canal is well worth a visit!

Photos: Jadwiga. Koniecko

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