About 17 million people fly to Poland every year. The goals of the trip are different for everyone, but medieval castles deserve special attention, many of which are the venue for knightly tournaments and theatrical performances. Are you interested in the answer to the question "What to see in Poland?" Head to Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Warsaw, Lodz.
Holiday season in Poland
A favorable period for a visit to Poland is considered the end of spring - the beginning of autumn. The high season in the country coincides with the cruise season, so everyone will be able to get by sea, for example, to Helsinki from Gdynia. Resort Poland - beaches on the Baltic Sea, the swimming season on which falls in June-August, while the maximum heating of the water occurs up to + 21˚C.
Skiing season in Poland covers all winter months and the first month of spring (bet on Zakopane, Karpacz, Krynica-Zdroj and other resorts).
Top 15 places of interest in Poland
Royal Palace of Warsaw
Royal Palace of Warsaw
The Royal Palace of Warsaw was built by Prince Sigismund Vasa in 1598-1618. During the 2nd World War, the palace was destroyed, but in 1988 a new building appeared on the site of the ruins. There today, tourists stroll through the Marble, Throne, Knights Halls, which are decorated with valuable works of art, in particular, the masterpieces of Bellotto, Rembrandt and Matejko.
The Royal Palace of Warsaw can be visited from 10-11 am to 16: 00-18: 00 for 5, 25 euros (free admission on Sunday, and closed on Monday).
Wroclaw cathedral
The Wroclaw Cathedral (Gothic + Neo-Gothic elements) on the Tumski Island is a 3-aisled basilica with 3 entrances: one (main) in the western part, and the rest in the southern and northern parts. 3 chapels deserve attention:
- Chapel of St. Elizabeth (there is the tomb of the cardinal and the statue of the saint);
- the Gothic Mariana Chapel (here you can see the tomb of the bishop and the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary);
- The North Chapel (Baroque style) is interesting for sculptures by Ferdinand Brokoff and decorative paintings by Carlo Carlone.
In addition, there is an organ created in Germany in 1913 in the Wroclaw Cathedral.
Marienburg castle
Marienburg castle
The Gothic castle Marienburg (Malbork), with an area of 20 hectares, stands on the banks of the Nogat River. In addition to the towers, the castle is interesting for the museum opened within its walls, the exposition of which in the form of armor, weapons, amber items and other things introduces guests to the history of Marienburg. And in the halls of the castle everyone is invited to attend concerts, theatrical performances, various solemn events and knightly tournaments (historical performances are accompanied by sound effects, and the place of the action is illuminated by spotlights). You can have a bite to eat in a restaurant, and get a bag of medieval coins in a souvenir shop.
In summer, Marienburg is open from 9 am to 5 pm, and in winter until 3 pm.
St. Mary's Church in Gdansk
The height of the vaults of the St. Mary's Church (its capacity is 25,000 people) in Gdansk is 30 m. At the entrance you can take a photo of the model of St. Mary's Church, climb the bell tower up a staircase with 400 steps (from an 82-meter height, beautiful views of Gdansk and the Baltic Sea open). Inside, the white arched ceiling vaults, stone floor slabs with carved names and coats of arms, the main altar (created by Mikhail Schwartz), a 15th century crystal chandelier, an ancient organ, a stone statue of Jesus, and Memling's paintings are subject to inspection.
Three Town Halls of Gdansk
The Town Hall of the Main Town was originally built in the Gothic style, but acquired Renaissance features during the restoration after the fire. Here you can see the Great Hall (25 paintings by Van de Block are painted on its ceiling) and the Small Hall. At a height of 50 meters, there is an observation gallery, where guests go up to view the surroundings.
The Town Hall of the Old Town is famous for its elegant black turret, 17th century paintings, the upper hall, the walls of which were decorated with Delft tiles, as well as paintings, shades and bas-reliefs of the 16-17th centuries.
The entrance to the New Town Hall is decorated with an eagle from the Prussian coat of arms, and now the City Council holds meetings here.
Wilanow Palace
Wilanow Palace
Wilanow Palace is a landmark of Warsaw. Built in 1677-1698, the castle was the country residence of King Jan Sobieski. The palace complex with an Italian villa, a residential royal residence and a building in the style of a French palace of the times of Louis XIV, a landscape park (for visiting it will be asked to pay 1, 20 euros) and a huge lawn (a fountain is installed there) are subject to inspection.
In winter, Wilanow Palace is open from 09:30 to 16:00 (closed on Tuesdays), and in summer until 18: 00-20: 00. The entrance ticket costs 4, 76 euros + 2, 86 euros (audio guide).
Bishops' Palace in Krakow
The palace of bishops (built in the 14th century) in Krakow acquired its modern look in the 17th century, when Bishop Peter Gembicki was alive. The courtyard of the palace is decorated with a monument to Pope John Paul II, surrounded by flowers and shrubs. A museum has been opened in the palace, where Western European painting of the 17-18 centuries, archaeological exhibits, Polish painting of the 17-20 centuries, and applied arts are exhibited.
Ksienzh Castle
Ksi Castle (13th century) is located near the town of Walbrzych and 400 luxurious rooms are open for free visiting. The castle ensemble includes a park complex with a beautiful landscape, where there are terraces and observation platforms. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Ksie Castle during the summer months for the floral design exhibitions.
Entrance fee + guided tour - 8, 34 euros (without a guide - 1 euro cheaper).
Kurnicki castle
Kurnicki castle
The castle in Kurnik was built in the 15th century, but it began to reflect the English neo-Gothic style in the 19th century. The Kurnice castle houses a museum with sculptures, furniture sets, porcelain, fabrics, military equipment, artist's canvases, ethnographic monuments and a library (it contains 320,000 volumes). Special attention should be paid to the apartment-hall of Vladislav Zamoysky with a desk (Empire style), the Moorish hall with three rooms (here you can see knightly armor, sacred objects, jewelry), the Hunting Corner, the Black Hall. The castle is surrounded by a dendrological park, founded in the 18th century, and a restaurant has been built near the castle gate (try tea with honey cakes).
Access to the Kurnice Castle is open from 10 am to 4 pm.
Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Wroclaw
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene is famous for the 12th century Romanesque portal with relief images of griffins, sea horses, roses and scenes from the childhood of Jesus Christ, and two Gothic towers connected by the "Bridge of the Witches". Legend has it that the shadows of girls with mops in their hands “walk” across the bridge - they were seducing men without wanting to get married (they didn’t want to do housework).
Entrance fee + climbing the towers - 1.26 euros.
Fountain of Neptune in Gdansk
The Neptune Fountain is the decoration of the Town Hall Square in Gdańsk. At its base there are figures of sea monsters, thanks to which the fountain looks catchy and bright (rococo style). In the center of the composition is Neptune, looking at which one gets the impression that he lifts his leg to stamp, and his hand to stab those standing below with his trident. Would you like to get a dynamic photo of the fountain? Sit down slightly and frame the high tower of the Town Hall.
Slovinsky National Park
Slovinsky National Park
Slovinsky National Park is located between the towns of Rova and eba. Through it there are hiking trails with a total length of 140 km. The Slovinsky National Park has 7 rivers, 3 lakes (boat rental is available on Lake Lebsk), peat bogs, recreation sites, observation towers, sand dunes moving at a speed of 3-10 m per year (their maximum height is 30 m). The highest point, and at the same time a good observation point in the park, is the 115-meter Rowokol.
In the park (entrance fee - 1.42 euros) you will be able to watch owls, wild boars, deer, white-tailed eagles, raccoon dogs, ermines.
Lazienki Park
Lazienki Park in Warsaw, surrounded by greenery, was the summer estate of the Polish king Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Here, squirrels jump through the trees, carps swim in the pond, there are objects on the territory in the form of a Palace on the island (the first floor is occupied by a ballroom, royal baths, the “Bacchus room”, and the second - by an art gallery, royal apartments, officer's room, royal office), the Roman theater (the attic of the theater is decorated with 16 statues of ancient poets), the White House (decoration of the facade of the house - the attic, rustication and a small pavilion above), the Myshlewicki Palace (exhibits of the museums of Polish emigration and Ignacy Jan Paderewski are subject to inspection), Vodosbor (in this neoclassical the building today houses a museum of jewelry).
Castle in Lancut
Castle in Lancut
The castle in Lancut (entrance costs 4, 75 euros) is surrounded by fortification walls of bastions, a park area, a coach house (horse carriages and retro cars are exhibited there), greenhouses, a small palace … The castle itself is equipped with halls with numerous statues, paintings, furniture, original dishes, the Big Dining Room (the government arranges closed meetings here), the Green Salon, the Hall of Columns, the Turkish Room, the Palace Library (in addition to the original volumes, you can see engravings, old maps, musical instruments here).
The castle is worth visiting in May during the music festival celebrations.
Shklyarsky waterfall
The location of the Shklyarsky waterfall is the Krkonose mountain range, at an altitude of 520 m above sea level. The waterfall stream, twisting in conical spirals, rushes down from a 13-meter height. The Shklyarsky waterfall (in 1868 there was a tavern, which later turned into a tourist shelter) can be reached along a wide road, at the end of which there is an observation deck. This area attracts tourists by the nearby E65 highway, mixed forest and picturesque gorge.
