Blog | Poland
Poland
By Irais Vazquez
When we hear Poland the first thing that comes to our mind is: concentration camps where so many people were killed. However, I invite you to discover other impressive places to visit and see all the medieval architecture around, such as the city of Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, among many others, which we are sure will be part of an unforgettable route through the country.
To know Poland whether you have much or little time, you should consider that the gateway is Krakow, here we will begin our tour.
Krakow
It is the most precious jewel of Poland as it is a city full of monuments, history and museums.
An unusual visit is the Wawel Cave where the Dragon that terrorized the inhabitants according to legend lived.
Currently you can visit the cave during the summer months only, as you descend 21 meters through an ancient well to see the abode of this famous dragon.
Upon exiting the cave you will be able to delight your eyes with the statue of the Dragon that every 5 minutes spews fire from its mouth.
Discovering the subway world
The center of Krakow is full of subway galleries, some are medieval tunnels and others shelters built during World War II. Many bars and restaurants have taken advantage of this situation and have opened their business in a cave underground.
Near Krakow
Wieliczka Salt Mines or also known as "the subway salt cathedral of Poland" Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978, were first visited in the fifteenth century and are now one of the most visited places in Poland, this visit can be made from Krakow as it is only 15 km southwest. The most amazing moment of the tour comes with the visit to the Chapel of St. Kinga, an impressive room that has a wonderful and unimaginable decoration made simply with salt.
We will continue our way to the largest concentration camp complex built in Auschwitz during the Nazi regime.
Auschwitz Concentration Camp
Located only 70 km from Krakow was the main extermination center where more than one million people were murdered.
Although it is not a fun place, a visit to the Auschwitz - Birkenau concentration camp is a must to learn about one of the most tragic and important parts of the history of the twentieth century. The camp facilities are preserved in excellent condition, which allows you to see the old barracks, gas chambers, crematorium ovens and part of the huge collection of objects that were stolen from the prisoners before they were murdered.
Warsaw
Extensive capital of Poland. Its wide architectural variety reflects the city's long history, from Gothic churches and neoclassical palaces to Soviet-period building blocks and modern skyscrapers.
The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see landmark, and the curious thing about this place is that the skyscrapers fit harmoniously with the historic buildings.
Green areas occupy almost half of the surface. Warsaw has 95 parks, with the Łazienki Royal Park being the most emblematic.
If you like to spend some time learning about the history of the places you see I recommend you to go to the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising where you can understand the present-day Warsaw, Museum of the History of Polish Jews POLIN awarded with the prestigious European Museum of the Year award.
Poznan
A city that relies on technology to achieve success, so it is where the most ambitious companies can achieve their goals. The atmosphere of Poznan is enriched thanks to its cultural offer, one of the most important international events that are held are: the Maltafestival, the largest theater festival in Poland, the Dancing Poznan, or the Made in Chicago Festival, the only festival in Europe dedicated to the Chicago jazz school.
As well as Poznan is a city of work, it is also a city of leisure where you can visit the Old Market Square (Stary Rynek), the Ostrów Tumski island, the Palmiarnia botanical garden or Lake Malta are just some of the places of interest in the city.
Wroclaw
Finally, although not as well known as Krakow or Warsaw is a perfect destination, Wroclaw (Wroclaw in Polish) a city inhabited by gnomes.
The more than 180 bronze statues of gnomes scattered throughout the city center of Wroclaw reflect the Polish folk tradition of the "Krasnoludk", a kind of goblins who fight against bad luck.
It is also known as the "Venice of the East" and has 12 islands, 130 bridges and parks on the banks of the Öder River. The parks will be the best settings that the hundreds of Leprechauns have chosen to hide and surprise tourists.
Wrocław was originally founded on one of the twelve islands that dot the course of the river: on Ostrów Tumski or Cathedral Island, another must-see, known as the "Little Vatican". If we have to stay with only one bridge: we choose the Grunwaldzki Bridge. This suspension bridge is the most striking of the 130 bridges in Wroclaw.
The Four Confessions Quarter, the Raclawice Panorama, which houses a gigantic 120-meter canvas, and the Hala Stulecia or Centennial Pavilion, a World Heritage Site, are Wroclaw's other must-sees.
I urge you to decide to visit Poland on your next trip to Europe, a place full of history, art, modernity and unimaginable places. Where you will feel trapped in the past but at the same time you will see the greatness of technology and modernity.
You have to live the best moments...!