Raahe Guide Raahen Esittely
Poland is one of the ancient nations, born around the 11th century. It is located in the eastern part of Central Europe on the shores of the Baltic Sea and most of the area is a flat area with mountains on the southern border. The area of Poland is about 322,575 square kilometers, the population is about 37.75 million, and the official language is Polish.
It is located in Central Europe, east of Germany and is bordered by the Baltic Sea, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany.
Attractions in Poland
Whether you are into art, architecture, history or nature, Poland is here to provide you with the best travel experience. The country has something to offer to everybody, boasting many historical landmarks, beautiful architecture, abundant art, and awe-inspiring natural wonders. Here is a selection of must-see attractions in Poland.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Opened in the 13th century, Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the longest-working salt mines in the world. After the extraction works stopped in 1996, the mine was transformed into an artistic attraction. It features stunning structures carved out of the rock salt walls including chapels, passageways and statues. There is also an underground lake shimmering against the illuminated walls.
The principal attraction is the 12-meter-high Chapel of St. Kinga ornated with exquisite chandeliers and furniture made of salt. Furthermore, the tour includes a museum that informs visitors about salt mining and describes the life in the mines.
Morskie Oko Lake
Situated in the heart of the Tatra National Park and surrounded by soaring mountains and Swiss pine forests, the lake is one of Poland’s nature marvels. It takes an easy but long hike to reach it on a paved forest trail. A distinct feature of the lake is that it changes color throughout the year from dark blue to turquoise.
Other than the scenic lake, the Tatra National Park boasts 600 caves, snowcapped mountains and gorgeous waterfalls. It has 270 kilometers of trails for hikers and beauty seekers to enjoy the natural scenery and wildlife.
Warsaw
Warsaw is a vibrant city that brims with sightseeing opportunities from palaces and baroque churches to historical museums and pedestrianized alleys lined with splendid architecture. One of the most visited landmarks is the 13th-century Old Town Market Place featuring a mix of well-preserved medieval architecture, Renaissance buildings and merchant houses. Besides, the square has many shops, pavement cafés and souvenir stalls.
Another top attraction of the city is Lazienki Park that stretches over 76 hectares of urban parkland. It boasts superb palaces surrounded by idyllic gardens, a classical theatre, art galleries, a temple dedicated to goddess Diana, and a statue of Polish composer Frederic Chopin near which free piano concerts are held every Sunday.
History buffs can visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum dedicated to the 1944 Polish underground resistance against the Nazis.
Krakow & Wawel Castle
Krakow is the country’s second largest city, which bears witness to its medieval era. One of Poland’s 14 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the castle is a medieval architectural wonder with Baroque and Renaissance elements where Polish rulers lived.
One of its former residents, King Sigismund I the Old, was an avid art lover. This explains the role of the castle nowadays as an important art museum where great collections of paintings and sculpture are displayed. Other collections are dedicated to weapons, ceramics, textiles and furniture.
Slowinski Sand Dunes
Located in Slowinski National Park in the north of the country, the dunes have become popular due to the fact that they change form and move throughout the year. Depending on the power of winds and waves, they can move up to 10 meters along the shoreline per year and rise as high as 30 meters. Many hiking trails weave through the dunes, culminating with the beautiful beach and blue sea.
