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The country lies in the Central Europe and spreads from the Carpathian Mountains in the south to the Baltic Sea in the north. Poland is a proud and independent nation with miscellaneous history. Many Polish settlements were destroyed during the Second World War, but some of them were completely rebuilt in the old style. The capital is Warsaw, but most of polish people live also in other big cities like Kraków, Lódz, Wroclaw, Poznan or Gdansk. Since 2004 Poland is a member of the European Union.

The flatlands

The majority of the country in flat and it is mostly formed by fields, pastures, woods and swamps, but also some sand dunes can be found in the north.

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Full name:

Republic of Poland

Capital city:

Warsaw

Area:

312,685 sq km

Population:

38,518,241

Major languages:

Polish

Major religions:

Roman Catholic

Why to visit
Fast Facts

Top Places - Poland

Nr. Place Points Rating Vote
1
 Wroclaw – the green city 25 6  
2
 Malbork castle 16 8  
3
 Wieliczka salt mine 16 8  
4
 Oswiecim - War Memorial 13 7  
5
 Kraków 12 6  
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Map of Poland


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Nr. Place Points Rating  1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10
1
Cestochowa (click for more information)
The city situated in the south of Poland is famous for the Jasna Góra Monastery with the Black Madonna painting. Millions of pilgrims come to see it every year. There is also the archeological site of Lusatian culture and the medieval castle Olsztyn situated in Cestochowa.
Cestochowa		 1 1
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2
 Cieszyn 0 0
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3
Gdansk (click for more information)
The city on the shores of Baltic Sea is also known as Danzig, because for many years it was a part of Germany. It is one of the Polish cities that were completely renewed after the Second World War in the old style. It is a typical Hanse Town, with half-timbered buildings along the river and beautiful lavish of detail houses in the centre. Gdansk has also rich history. On the fortress Westerplatte the Second World War began and the dock Stocnia was a place, where the Polish anti-communist movement Solidarnosc started.
Gdansk		 10 10
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4
 Gdynia 0 0
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5
 Kielce 0 0
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6
Kraków (click for more information)
The former seat of Polish kings in now the third biggest city in Poland. There are many monuments in the centre, as the town hall or the traditional market place. The king’s castle Wawel on the hill above the city possesses many precious historic artifacts. Part of Kraków called Kazimierz was once a large Jewish ghetto. It a mystic and a bit scary place with crowded small houses that are being restored in these days.
Kraków		 12 6
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7
Malbork castle (click for more information)
The beautiful gothic castle in northern Poland comes from the 13th century. It lies over the Nogat River and it is the largest brick castle in the world. There are actually three castles situated within each other. Malbork is listed at the UNESCO Heritage Sites.
Malbork castle		 16 8
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8
Oswiecim - War Memorial (click for more information)
The former German concentration camp from the Second World War is a horrible remembrance of the tragic history of millions of people, mainly Jews, who died there for their beliefs. It is here for us and the future generations to let the history never repeat.
Oswiecim - War Memorial		 13 7
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9
 Piotrkow Trybunalski 0 0
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10
Sopot - The Seaside Resort (click for more information)
The picturesque seaside resort on the Baltic Sea near Gdansk is interesting in the summer as well as in the winter. There are beautiful wooden houses, but also the sites of modern architecture as the Crooked House or a modern church. Sopot possesses with many cozy restaurants and cafés, which offer typical Polish dishes. There are sand beaches and a long wooden mall at the sea.
Sopot - The Seaside Resort		 10 5
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11
 Sulejow 0 0
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12
 Sw. Krzyz 0 0
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13
 Taraska k Sulejowa 0 0
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14
 Warszawa 0 0
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15
Warszawa (click for more information)
The capital of Poland possesses many historical monuments as the Royal Castle or King Zygmunt Column. The Old Town quarter was renewed after the Second World War. There is also very interesting museum of Warsaw Jewish Ghetto.
Warszawa		 3 3
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16
Wieliczka salt mine (click for more information)
It is a huge labyrinth of underground passages not far from Kraków, where salt mining once took place. The whole place is formed in salt or it is at least covered by it. The tour takes almost three hours as it is filled with a high-grade exhibition about the history of salt mining. There is a unique underground salt chapel of St. Kinga, where weddings and other ceremonies take place.
Wieliczka salt mine		 16 8
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17
Wroclaw – the green city (click for more information)
The fourth largest city in Poland possesses many parks and gardens; therefore it is nicknamed the green city. There are many historical buildings in the centre, as the old town hall Ratus, the University building or many cathedrals and churches. The river Odra, which flows through Wroclaw forms many islands and the oldest part of the city lie on some of them. The islands are connected by many old and nice bridges, like m Most Grunwaldzki or Most Tumski.
Wroclaw – the green city		 25 6
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18
Zakopane town (click for more information)
This small town near the southern border of Poland is the entering gate to the Tatras. There are plenty of typical mountain wooden houses with steep roofs and thick walls. In the winter Zakopane is a famous ski centre. The horses pull the slides along the streets and it is possible to buy the typical sheep, goat or cow cheese oszczypek almost everywhere.
Zakopane town		 8 4
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Why to visit Poland


The country lies in the Central Europe and spreads from the Carpathian Mountains in the south to the Baltic Sea in the north. Poland is a proud and independent nation with miscellaneous history. Many Polish settlements were destroyed during the Second World War, but some of them were completely rebuilt in the old style. The capital is Warsaw, but most of polish people live also in other big cities like Kraków, Lódz, Wroclaw, Poznan or Gdansk. Since 2004 Poland is a member of the European Union.

The flatlands

The majority of the country in flat and it is mostly formed by fields, pastures, woods and swamps, but also some sand dunes can be found in the north. About one third of Polish borderline is formed by the Baltic Sea. It is not very hot even in the summer, but there are some famous sea resorts like the Sopot. The Baltic Sea is mostly used for fishing, navy transport and the oil industry.

The mountains

Most of the country is flat, but there are also beautiful and high mountains in the south. The Sudets lie on the border with Czech Republic, the highest mountain is Sniezka (1602 m). There are few mineral spas in the Sudets, like the Kudowa – Zdrój. The mountain range continues as the higher Carpathian Mountains along the whole southern border of Poland. Tatras form the highest range, the highest point of Poland Rysy (2499 m) lies there. The longest and largest river Wisla starts in Tatras at the peak called Babia Góra (1725 m). It flows through Kraków and Warsaw into the Baltic Sea. Another big river Odra flows to Poland from Czech Republic and leaves to Germany.

The culture of Poland

Polish people are very proud of their country and culture. Most of them are Christians and the religion has strong position within the Polish society. The last but one pope John Paul II was Polish, his civil name was Karol Wojtyla. Therefore there are many churches in Poland built in all architectonical styles. Polish society is divided into relatively poorer rural areas and the rich cities. Due to the fertile flatlands Poland produces large amount of fruits and vegetables, mainly potatoes and cereals. Polish diet therefore consists of floury meals and vegetables. Typical dish is the borsc, thick beetroot soup, or pierogi, the small potato pies filled with meat, cabbage or curd.

Summary

Poland definitely has something to offer. Its uniqueness is in the cities and towns. They are full of historic monuments, churches and old buildings, which tell the stories of interesting and difficult Polish past. The country is influenced by all the rulers and historic periods of independence and subduedness. As there was a large Jewish population in the pre-war Poland, there are also many Jewish monuments as the synagogues, cemeteries and ghettos, which remind the tragic history of these people. There are also many beautiful castles like Malbork, Janowiec or Ksiaz. Poland is full of strong emotions and hard fates.

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