10 reasons to visit Poland

Perfect time to visit Poland, 10 good reasons

If you are planing to travel to central or eastern Europe you should definitely visit Poland. If you are looking for destination and have not decided yet, look at the things that are waiting for you in Poland and reconsider your next years holidays.

The oldest settlements

The archaeological site in Biskupin contains reconstructed fortified settlement and village from approximately 750 year b.c.  The museus is open all year long and reenactments of peoples life and culture are organized every summer. The village is situated by the scenic lake and is close to Bydgoszcz which is one the main metropolis of Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The settlement has been accidentally discovered in 1933 when local drainage works have lowered the level of the lake. Since 1934 Biskupin is an active archeological site .

Kraków old Polish Capital

Kraków is the main metropolis in the southern Poland. Before the capital has been moved to Warsaw, Kraków was home of the royal castle. Kraków is one of the oldest Polish cities and is the location of the oldest Polish University. Jagiellonian University has been established in 1364 and is one of the world oldest universities. Kraków is well preserved and suffered very little damage over the wars. Many of monuments in Kraków have been put on UNESCO Worlds Heritage Sites.

Gothic Castles

Teutonic Castle in Malbork

Almost every city and town in Poland has a well preserved caste or its ruins. Town Malbork at the north of Poland is home for the world largest castle that more than 500 years ago was a capital of Teutonic Knights country. Ruins and castles are open for tourists and wait with a museum and a guide.

Castle in Kwidzyn and Malbork are examples of the best preserved castles on the Gothic Castles Tour.

Spas

Many of the Polish towns are located in regions rich in natural resources with salty spring waters or hot springs. Around those towns people have build spas and unique health resorts. Graduation towers are one of the most unique constructions. One the pictures below from the left are graduation towers in Ciechocinek and Inowrocław in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship and Spa in Ląndek Zdrój at the south of Poland.

See the bisons

Białowieża Forest is one of the last places in Europe to see wild bisons. Białowieża Forest is one of the largest forest in Poland and lies on a border of Poland and Belarus. The forest contain ancient oaks and the National Park organizes bird and bisons watching tours. Białowieża Forest was partially protected even in XV century when habitation and goods harvesting from this forest was forbidden. 

Toruń, Copernicus hometown

Toruń is a gothic town in the middle of northern Poland. Its unique and well preserved gothic architecture make its old town one of the most beautiful in Poland. Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Toruń and his family house is a museum of his life and work. University in Toruń is named after Copernicus. For long time Toruń was a border city with the river dividing Poland and Teutonic Country. Modern Toruń has ruins of castles on both sides of the river.

 

Fallen and rebuild Warsaw

Although Warsaw is very old city, it had a very turbulent history and has been destroyed during the II World War. Warsaw is a capital of Poland since the XVI century and nowadays is home for all main government institutions. Warsaw's Old Town is location of a Royal Castle with a column of Polish king Sigismund III Vasa. Modern Warsaw has in its borders many royal palaces that are open for tourist. Warsaw has two major universities. A Palace of Culture and Science in the center of Warsas is one of the more recognizable buildings common for Eastern European capitals.  

Gdańsk and Baltic Sea shore

The north of Poland has a major metropolis consistent of three major cities Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. Gdańsk is the oldest and most scenic of the three cities. Part of Gdańsk called Westerplatte is a site where II World Was has started in Poland. In 2012 Gdańsk in one of the four Polish cities hosting EURO 2012 games. Old Town in Gdańsk very scenic and is home of Polish most fameus Neptun sculpture that has become a symbol of Gdańsk. 

EU presidency 2011

Polish EU presidency logo,
picture from pl2011.eu

European Union changes a president country every 6 months and between July and December 2011 Poland takes this function. Poland at that time will be leading the EU Council, setting its agenda, negotiating with new members, managing and administrating the EU Council, host and organize the Council meetings. Poland takes the presidency for the first time and together with the administrative part it also promotes Polish culture in the EU and outside intensifying the number or Poland related cultural events in Poland and abroad. More informations about the cultural program of Polish presidency may be found on www.culture.pl.

EURO 2012

EURO 2012 logo

EURO 2012 will be organized by Poland and Ukraine. Poland will host football games in four very scenic cities : Gdańsk, Warsaw, Poznań and Wrocław. All of those cities are worth visiting regardless of the EURO. However, EURO 2012 may be a perfect opportunity to see the games and cities as well. All cities have airports and are easily reachable from any major European airport. Maskots of the EURO 2012 are two football players with traditional sounding names Slavek and Slavko. The first match of the EURO 2012 will be in Warsaw on 8 June and final will be played on 1 July in Kiev.

See also :
EURO 2012
Teutonic Knights' castles in Poland