What to See In: Poland: Warsaw Cracow ...

Visiting Poland

Poland is a fascinating country in that her recent history is just as full of excitement, revolution, and activities of historical interest as her more distant history.  Just in the last hundred years, Poland regained independence from Lithuania, was marched on and occupied by two different countries during the second world war, emerged as a communist state, and then threw off communist rule to emerge, finally, as the “Third Polish Republic”, a liberal democracy and member of the European Union.

Poland first solidified into a recognizable country in the middle of the tenth century.  Her first documented ruler, Mieszko I, was baptized in 966.  The rest of the country began a change to Catholicism that happened gradually over the course of the next couple of centuries. 

The Polish kingdom fragmented into smaller states in the twelfth century and were later ravaged by the Mongol Golden Horde until Władysław I reunited Poland under his own rule.  His son, Casimir III was later remembered as one of the greatest of the Polish kings.  This time was also when many Jews began to migrate to Poland where they settled and flourished. 

Late in the eighteenth century, Poland was actually divided between three of her neighbors, and while the Polish resented this and often rebelled, it was not until after WWI that Poland again became her own state as the Second Polish Republic.  This lasted only until the Second World War, however, when Germany and Russia invaded the country and split it between them.  Of all the countries involved in the war, Poland lost the greatest percentage of her citizens, with over six million dead, and about half of them polish Jews.  She emerged from the war as a sovereign state again, but this time under a communist government as set up by the Soviets.  In 1989, the communists of Poland fell and were replaced by the more liberal republic that is still in power now. 

You can learn more about this history as well as experiencing the remnants first hand by exploring the painstakingly restored castles and palaces that dot the country as well as the many museums that bring history right before your eyes for you to confront. 

Poland is mostly plains, with golden sandy beaches along the Baltic coast and the foothills and peaks of the Tatras along the southern border of the country.  Poland is home to one desert, and a network of lakes known as the Great Mazurian Lakes.  You can watch for European bison roaming the plains, or take yourself into the Biebrazanskie Marshes.  You can go rafting down the Dunajec River gorge, or explore the Bialowieska Forest.  The land is as fascinating as it is diverse, with just about every kind of landscape being represented in some form or other in this small but fascinating country.

Lovers of the arts are sure to be delighted with a trip to Poland that might include the Chopin Piano Competition or the Wieniawski Violin Competition, both known throughout the world.  There are many other music and arts festivals through the year for tourists and natives alike to enjoy thoroughly.  Education has been a priority of the Polish governments since the earliest days of her existence, and this shows in the sophistication and development of the arts and cultural centers of the country.

Poland is a unique country with a robust and proud people that, despite her sometimes turbulent past, has retained a distinct cultural identity.  The Polish people are friendly and welcoming, and will be glad to share a little of that culture and history with you if you but come and ask it of them. 

• Warsaw (capital)
• Krakow / Cracow
• Gdansk
• Poznan
• Katowice
• Szczecin
• Wroclaw
• The "Tricity" ( Gdynia, Gdańsk and Sopot )
• ...