Historical Museum of Poznań
Inside the town hall, this museum displays an interesting and well-presented exhibition on the towns history, and the buildings original interiors are worth the entry price on their own. The Gothic vaulted cellars are the only remains of the first town hall. They were initially use
Wilanów Palace
Warsaw’s top palace is Wilanów (vee-lah -noof), 6km south of Łazienki. It dates to 1677, when King Jan III Sobieski bought the land and turned an existing manor house into an Italian Baroque villa fit for a royal summer residence (calling it in Italian ‘villa nuova’, from which the
Church of Peace
This magnificent timber church was erected between 1656 and 1657, in just 10 months. The builders were not trying to set any records; the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 allowed the Protestants of Silesia to build three churches as long as they went up in less than a year, had no belfr
Museum of Central Pomerania
The Museum of Central Pomerania is housed within Słupsk’s main attraction, a commanding 16th-century castle. Beyond its impressive blocky tower are sacral woodcarvings, historic furniture and other exhibits illustrating the town’s history. A new exhibition on the ground floor looks
Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes
The mother of all Szczecin monuments is the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes. This vast, blocky building looms over the Old Town, but the square central courtyard and simple Renaissance-style decoration atop the walls have a certain understated grace (spot the repeated circular patte
Długi Targ
Długi Targ (Long Market) was once the main city market and is now the major focus for visitors. Things have got a bit touristy here over the last decade (dubious amber stalls, restaurant touts), but look up from the crowds to appreciate the period architecture, all of which is a ve
Panorama of Racławice
Wrocław’s pride and joy is this giant painting of the battle for Polish independence fought at Racławice on 4 April 1794, between the Polish army led by Tadeusz Kościuszko and Russian troops under General Alexander Tormasov. The Poles won but it was all for naught: months later the
Collegium Maius
The Collegium Maius, built as part of the Kraków Academy (now the Jagiellonian University), is the oldest surviving university building in Poland, and one of the best examples of 15th-century Gothic architecture in the city. It has a magnificent arcaded courtyard (7am-dusk) and a f
European Solidarity Centre
Housed in a mind-boggling ugly, oh-so 21st-century hulk of architecture, the exhibition in this unmarked centre (finding the entrance will be your first task) has quickly become one of Gdańsks unmissables since it opened in 2014. Audioguide clamped to ears, the seven halls examine
Kłodzko Fortress
This mighty fortification, begun under Austrian rule in the mid-17th century, was extended, modernised and modified over the following 200 years. Today it covers 17 hectares, making it the largest and best-preserved fortification of its kind in Poland. The walls in the lower parts
Wawel Royal Castle
As the political and cultural heart of Poland through the 16th century, Wawel Castle is a potent symbol of national identity. Its now a museum containing five separate sections: Crown Treasury & Armoury; State Rooms; Royal Private Apartments; Lost Wawel; and the Exhibition of O
Paulite Monastery of Jasna Góra
Poland’s spiritual capital began with the arrival of the Paulite order from Hungary in 1382, who named the 293m hill in the western part of the city ‘Jasna Góra’ (Bright Hill) and erected this monastery. Believers are drawn to the site for miracles credited to the Black Madonna pai
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Some 14km southeast of Kraków, Wieliczka (vyeh-leech-kah) is famous for its deep salt mine. It’s an eerie world of pits and chambers, and everything within its depths has been carved by hand from salt blocks. The mine has a labyrinth of tunnels, about 300km distributed over nine le
St Marys Basilica
Overlooking Rynek Główny, this striking brick church, best known simply as St Mary’s, is dominated by two towers of different heights. The first church here was built in the 1220s and following its destruction during a Tatar raid, construction of the basilica began. Tour the exquis
Wawel Cathedral
The Royal Cathedral has witnessed many coronations, funerals and burials of Poland’s monarchs and strongmen over the centuries. This is the third church on this site, consecrated in 1364. The original was founded in the 11th century by King Bolesław I Chrobry and replaced with a Ro
Cathedral
Filling the middle of the courtyard with its huge Gothic-brick facade and with a slim octagonal tower at each corner, this impressive building was erected between 1329 and 1388, and was the largest church ever built by the Warmian bishops. So chuffed were they with the result that
Doing business & staying in touch while in Poland
Poland: Doing business & staying in touch
Poland Weather, Climate and Geography
Poland Weather, climate and geography
Poland History, Language and Culture
Poland History, Language and Culture
Poland Travel Guide and Travel Information
Poland Travel Guide
