Poland is Closer Than you Think
Poland is a garden of nature and a treasure trove of cultural riches. A democracy located in the middle of Europe, inhabited by a friendly, hospitable people building a modern economy, yet cherishing their heritage dearly. Every year, Poland is visited by millions of tourists and when they leave the country they take back with them wonderful memories, and a desire to return as soon as they can. In Poland everyone can fi nd something of interest. Modern leisure facilities provide recreation of the highest standard. Museums, modern art galleries and concert halls, swimming pools, equestrian clubs, discos and night clubs. Everything is here, ready to satisfy even the most demanding guest. Poland’s natural environment makes active rest and recreation possible at any time of the year. In many regions of Poland there are natural sites pre-served in their primeval state rarely encountered in other parts of Europe. Poland’s climate ensures favourable conditions for leisure activities throughout the year. Along the Baltic Sea Amber Coast and across the Masuria, the Land of a Thousand Lakes, there are ancient forests, rivers, hills, criss-crossed by paths, bridleways and trails to be enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and water sports enthusiasts. We guarantee nobody will leave Poland disappointed. Those hungry for adventure will get plenty of thrills, those who are looking for peace and a bit of calm will be able to relax in Poland’s nature reserves. And if you are looking for entertainment there are many places which will provide you with the fun and excitement you are searching for. Visitors feel truly welcome in Poland when they experience our traditional Polish hospitality. Polish people like to entertain guests at home. These friendly encounters and jovial discussions will be among some of the lasting memories of your stay in Poland. And it’s closer than you think. Welcome to Poland.
Poland is Closer Than you Think
A European Homeland For the last thousand years, Poland was the country where cultures from the east and west of Europe made their initial contact. Poles had to defend their independence many times and they had to befriend many different nations. It is therefore easy to understand how Poland’s national character was forged, one that drives the Poles to staunchly defend their freedom at the same time showing great tolerance for others. Aiding Others If we consider certain nations, we can see that Poles have played important roles in the history of those nations in the past. In the 18th century Tadeusz KoÅ›ciuszko and Kazimierz PuÅ‚aski joined the struggle for the independence of the United States of America. More recently Ernest Malinowski built a railway line in the Peruvian Andes and BronisÅ‚aw PiÅ‚sudski is highly respected in Japan for his ethnographic work. It is not widely known that Joseph Conrad, celebrated in the world of literature, was born and educated in Poland before he set off on his adventures at sea. During the Second World War Polish mathematicians helped break the Enigma code, giving the Allies access to the military plans of the Third Reich. The Allied forces were also aided by Polish airmen who played a crucial part in the Battle for Britain.
Poland in the 21st century As a member of the European Union and the NATO Alliance, Poland plays an active part in the development of European integration. A stable democ-racy with a robust economy and monetary system – this is Poland in the third millennium
One thousand years ago, Polish Prince Boleslawthe Brave and the German Emperor Otto III met in Gniezno to sign a treaty, Poland Always in Europe the fi rst ever international agreement in this part of Europe.
A Country of Religious Tolerance
Poland has never been a place of religious wars. Even though the majority of Poles are Roman Catholics, they have always shared their country peacefully with followers of other religions. Protestants have lived in Poland for hundreds of years and contributed greatly to the nation’s culture. Prominent testimony to this peaceful coexistence is the memorial to Martin Luther in Bielsko-BiaÅ‚a or the cementery at Wschowa, with tombstones of Lutherans and Calvinists. Today, there are many Evangelical centres in southern and western Poland. In the 13th century Jews came to live in Poland. Until the Second World War they constituted the largest Jewish community in Europe. From such families as Rubinstein, Natanson, Kronenberg and Epstein came many eminent Jewish personalities in the fi elds of art, science and economy. The wealth of the Jewish culture and tradition in Poland can be seen from Tykocin and Warsaw to Leżajsk and Lublin, from Cracow and Lesko to Bobowa. One of the major religious communities in Poland is the followers of the Eastern Orthodox faith, who have been present in south-eastern Poland for centuries. Tartars have lived in Poland for at last 600 years, preserving their cultural autonomy and Muslim faith, enjoying all the rights and privileges of Polish citizens.
Poles – Citizens of the World
He Stopped the Sun
Four hundred years ago, Nicolaus Copernicus proved mathematically that the Earth moves around the Sun and not vice-versa. This breakthrough, known as the Copernican Revolution, was the beginning of a new era in astronomy and science.
Without Violence
Solidarity leader, Lech WaÅ‚Ä™sa, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, started Central Europe on its road to freedom. In 1989 Poland regained its independence in a non-violent way. Scenes of political opponents sitting together at the ‘Round Table’ showed the world how to solve a confl ict at home and across borders in a peaceful way.
A Pilgrim of Love
Father Karol Wojtyła was an experienced trekker and a nature lover who walked even the most diffi cult of trails. After being elected Pope, he became a pilgrim of love and hope. He was respected and listened to throughout the entire world. Communing with millions was a characteristic feature of the pontifi cate of Pope John Paul II.
Music for Everyone
The Polish composer Frederick Chopin, born at Å»elazowa Wola near Warsaw, is one of the world’s greatest musicians. The sheer beauty of his work casts a spell over people across all the continents. How this is possible is a mystery that can be only explained by Chopin’s musical genius.
Castles and Palaces
The doorway to Poland’s culture is symbolically and literally marked by the sculptured bronze door in Gniezno Cathedral, a repository of relics dating back to the origins of the Polish state in the 10th century A.D.
The Heritage of All Mankind
The city of ToruÅ„, the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, has preserved its Medieval urban cityscape with defensive walls, towers and the spires of its many churches. Zamość attracts visitors with the beauty of its Renaissance architecture and the well restored sections of its formidable fortifi cations. Malbork possesses the world’s largest Gothic castle, once the seat of the Teutonic Order. Visitors will be impressed by the enormous size of the castle complex. The beauty of the amber collection displayed in the castle art gallery is breathtaking.
Sunlit Castles and Palaces …
On a hilltop overlooking the town of Nowy WiÅ›nicz is a castle bathed in sunlight and surrounded by fortifi cations. This is a rare example of the architectural style, palazzo in fortezza. Sunlit castles draw visitors to Baranów Sandomierski and Krasiczyn with their beautiful architecture and splendid interiors. ÅaÅ„cut, once the stately home of Polish aristocratic families, is the meeting place of the aristocracy of the operatic world at the annual festivals held there. The large collection of antique carriages on display in the ÅaÅ„cut coach house draws many people from all over ...
UNESCO Sites and Other Tourist Attractions
… and Baroque Contrasts
The Royal Palace at Wilanów in Warsaw, the Jesuit Monastery at ÅšwiÄ™ta Lipka in Masuria, and the Old Basilica at Bardo in Lower Silesia are all very different and very beautiful examples of the Baroque style in Poland.Baroque artists were often inspired by the memento mori theme. One of them used three thousand human skulls to decorate thewalls of the chapel at Czermna near Kudowa Zdrój! Incredible and true!
To the Manor Born
Manor houses, the family seats of the Polish gentry, were always furnished with objects of art and rare books. The intellectual aspirations of their residents have left an indelible mark on Polish culture. One such house is the small country house at Å»elazowa Wola where Frederick Chopin was born. The composer’s famous polonaises and mazurkas were named after old at country Fairs and rural events.
Leonardo da Vinci in Cracow
When visiting the Czartoryski Museum in Cracow, you will observe how crowds seem to gather in one place. They all come to admire the portrait of the Lady with the Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci.
Polish Sites on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List:
The Old Town in Cracow, ToruÅ„, Warsaw and Zamość. The Salt Mine at Wieliczka. Evangelical Churches of Peace at Jawor and Åšwidnica The monastic complex at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska The Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz The Gothic castle of the Teutonic Knights at Malbork BiaÅ‚owieża Forest (World Natural Heritage List) The wooden churches in the south MaÅ‚opolska region Mużakowski/Muskauer Landscape Park in ÅÄ™knica Centenary Hall in WrocÅ‚aw
