Poland sightseeing. Travel guide - attractions, sights, nature and touristic places

Poland is an amazing country full of different places of interest and landmarks. This country of rich history and magnificent nature simply cannot leave visitors indifferent. Start your exploration of Poland with a visit to its capital, the city of Warsaw. Here travelers are always welcome to visit the Royal Palace that was built in the 14th century and since that time it has changed its status several times. Until the 17th century the palace was used as a protective facility, later it became the king's residence and then the building was transformed into a center of culture and art. Nowadays, it's possible to see works of Bernard Belotte, Jan Bogumił Plersch, Marchello Bachiarelli, collections of sculptures and bronze figurines in the palace.

The Grand Theatre in Warsaw remains the most famous culture landmark in the country. The opening of the theatre took place in the beginning of the 19th century; in 1939 the building was severely damaged and then restored. Nowadays, the theatre looks as magnificent as over a century ago. The Grand Theatre hosts several important events, such as the International Vocalist Competition, and one of its halls has been transformed into the only Museum of Theatre in Poland.

Travelers, who want to see more interesting architectural landmarks, are recommended to visit Gdansk. The main attraction of the city remains unchanged very long time. This is the Abbey Palace, which dates back to the 15th century. Already in the beginning of the 20th century the palace was turned into a museum, but all precious items were lost during the years of war. Nowadays, the restored halls of the abbey are used to exhibit collections of modern art. The National Museum and the Theatre Gallery are also located here. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Golden Gate, which was built in the 17th century, is a no less beautiful landmark of medieval period. The so called "king's path" starts from the gate. Centuries ago, kings used the gate to enter the city and moved along beautiful villas and merchants' houses. As one can guess from the name, the gate is decorated with gilding; there are also statues that feature the qualities of the ideal citizens near the gate. Continue your travel in Poland with a visit to Krakow, where you will be able to see many beautiful churches and palaces. Wawel Dragon Statue is one of the most unusual landmarks of the city. There are many traditional Polish legends connected with Wawel Dragon. In the 12th century people believed that a ferocious dragon lived here. However, in the 17th - 18th centuries a famous tavern was opened there, and it quickly became very popular with local aristocracy.

History and Entertainment

The modern country started to be formed in the 9th century. At that time, it was considered as an association of several sovereign princedoms. By 1454, the country had been governed by kings but then it gained a status of the republic. In the Middle Ages, Poland saw multiple battles with the Teutonic Order and nearby princedoms. The times before were characterized by repeated redistributions of the country territory. The Russian-Polish war lasting for over 10 years and ending in 1667 played a big role in the Polish history. The country also saw the so-called period of statelessness lasting from 1795 to 1918. At that time, Polish lands belonged to different countries, such as Prussia, Austria and Russia. Poland gained independence in November 1918.

Besides its rich historical heritage, Poland has a lot of attractive peculiarities. On the Baltic coast, there are excellent beach resorts that are notable not only for their natural beauty, but also for a small number of vacationers. The Baltic Sea is quite cold, so local beaches are available for swimming only in July.

Health resorts are more famous than beaches. There are over 40 such resorts in the country. Poland is notable for its mineral springs, near which upscale balneological resorts are located.

Fans of the event tourism often visit the country in winter. A series of interesting holidays is celebrated already in early December. One of the most unusual events here is the Three Kings Festival that is annually held on 6 January. The “kings” of this festival are three wise men mentioned in the New Testament. The beautiful holiday in their honor started to be celebrated several hundreds of years ago. At present, the festive day implies beautiful street processions. The main attribute of the festival is street theatrical performances.

Shopping enthusiasts should visit Gdańsk in August. The largest and most interesting fair in the country is held here. At the fair, the best craftsmen from all parts of Poland present their products. Silver accessories with amber, fabrics and clothes of the local production, ceramic items and antiques are especially popular with visitors of the fair. There are also pieces of art presented. Some pavilions at the fair resemble art galleries.