Poland

Osweicim

Most outsiders do know this town from history books by its other name, as the Nazi Germany during World War II named the town of Osweicim to “Auschwitz.” It is in Osweicim that they built their largest death camp that killed over one and a half million Jews, gypsies and other people who did not fit the Nazi ideal.

Many of the camp’s structures remain to this day and have been turned as a memorial to its victims.

Bialoweiza Forest

Bialoweiza forest is old and is the only one remaining in Europe where wild native bisons can still be found. Various deers, wolves, boars and lynx are plentiful in this ancient forest that stretches up to Belarus. One can visit the place by walking or by riding horse carriages accompanied by a guide.

Malbork

Malbork town’s German name – Marienburg – is also the name of the largest European fortress constructed using Gothic designs. Construction for Mary’s castle in Malbork was started by the Teutonic Knights during the 13th century to serve as their main base. The structure is actually composed of three castles and took more than 200 years to finish. Unfortunately, much of its original brick walls were wiped during the second World War. What visitors will see is the faithful reconstruction of the original castle.

Torun

Copernicus was born in Torun beside the river of Vistula. Torun’s medieval churches, including the works of Baroque and Gothic masters, were fortunate enough to escape the destruction that struck many Polish cities during World War II.

Czestochowa

Roman Catholic devotees around Poland make pilgrimage to Czestochowa, in particular the Jasna Gora monastery. The hill, where the monastery in Czestochowa is standing on, has long been the rallying symbol for many Catholic Poles who through the century have defended the place against various non-catholic invaders. The monastery and the Church were constructed during the 15th century and later improvements influenced by the Renaissance and Baroque design were introduced.

The architectural design alone is enough to convince even non-catholic visitors to see it for themselves.

Gdansk

Gdansk by the Baltic Sea attracts many tourists due to unique architectural works in builds inside the Old Town’s. Gdansk, over its long years of existence, has changed its identity several times from German to Polish. Visitors can marvel at the largest brick made Gothic Church. Gdansk has over a thousand years of history and it is also where Lech Walesa and Solidarity movement was born.

Tatra National Park

Visitors who would like to see and savor what Polish nature can offer, can simply go to the Tatra National Park. The Tatra Mountains has at least more than 600 caves for you to explore. The place also features around 30 lakes including a 270 meter high waterfall.

Wroclaw

This city was once the Silesian and its rule changed between the Prussians, Bohemians, Germans and Poles. But Wroclaw by the Oder River has plenty of magnificent historical structures that visitors will enjoy to see and visit. One can visit Wroclaw city hall, which has been there since medieval times. There is an observation deck in the St. Elizabeth Church where you can also view the whole city.

Warsaw

Poland’s capital Warsaw was virtually destroyed during World War II, but it has restored many of its historical structure to regain its title of being the “Paris of the North.” Warsaw is the land of the world’s renowned composer Fryderyk Chopin and astronomer Copernicus.

Krakow

Krakow, which is the former Polish capital, is older than Warsaw by almost 500 hundred years. From a simple village, Krakow has turned to a city filled with culture and the arts. Krakow is also an important hub for academics and business.