Things to see and do Poland

Built between 1309 and 1350, under the administration of the Teutonic Order at the time of the city's foundation, this church consists of a central nave of 21 m twice as high as the two on the sides. At the end of the right nave is a Gothic crucifix called "Christ at the Tree of Life", inherited from a Dominican church, and in the chancel is an 18th century Baroque altar. The church is dominated by a double-roofed bell tower. The church is one of the most important examples of brick architecture in the Baltic Sea basin.

Built between 1889 and 1891, this beautiful Renaissance-style building is now the city's cultural center. It hosts all kinds of events, including numerous concerts, recitals and shows. It occupies the site of a building destroyed in the early 19th century where in 1466 the Treaty of Toruń was signed, which marked the end of the war with the Teutonic Knights. Inside, you can admire the harmonious mixture of old and contemporary. The decoration is superb, do not hesitate to look up to admire the beauty of the ceilings.

Built at the end of the 14th century by order of Franciscan, this imposing red brick church is austere view from the outside but beautifully decorated inside frescoes and long stained-glass windows. In particular, the three naves are frescoes from the 14th century on the life of Christ. The vaults, in star, are decorated with floral motifs. The church houses the baroque mausoleum of the Swedish princess Anna Vasa, sister of king Sigismund III.

Built in the early ^13th century, it is one of the oldest Gothic churches in the region, and the town's largest religious edifice. It dominates the landscape with its 52-metre bell tower, built in 1433. It houses the second-largest bell in Poland, after Wawel. Cast in 1500, the bell is called Tuba dei, "trumpet of God", and measures 217 cm in diameter, weighing 7.2 tons. The Protestants took over the building in 1530.

Ustka's tourist information center is the ideal place to plan your trip to the town and region. You'll find a wealth of useful information on accommodation, restaurants, leisure, culture, art and sports centers, museums and the main tourist attractions to visit. In fact, the website is already very well-stocked, should you wish to consult it in advance of your trip. The office is located in a building suitable for people with reduced mobility. Families are welcome!

This tourist center offers a wide range of services and information. You'll find a wealth of brochures and maps. Of course, thanks to the professional team on hand, you'll also benefit from personalized advice on local attractions, accommodation and events. The center's staff will be delighted to help you discover all that Kołobrzeg and its region have to offer as a tourist destination.

These former Haken terraces offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the Oder. Following the demolition of Stettin's fortifications, begun in 1873, the city's mayor, Hermann Haken, decided to build a panoramic terrace overlooking the Oder in 1902-1905, on the site of the former Fort Leopold. Two wide staircases lead up to both sides of the terrace. After the city was transferred to Poland at the end of the Second World War, the observation platform was renamed in honor of Bolesław ^I the Brave, in Polish Bolesław Chrobry.

In 1941, in the German city of Stettin, shelters for civilians were created using old ^19th-century catacombs. The refuge was organized on five levels with a maximum depth of 17 m. After the war, the refuge was adapted in case of nuclear attack. Today, these underground passages can be visited. Three itineraries are available (each taking around an hour), as well as permanent exhibitions.

Built by the architect Tylman Van Gameren between 1676 and 1679, this magnificent palace has been redesigned several times before acquiring its final neo-classical appearance. Today it hosts an agronomic research institute and cannot be visited. The palace is located in the middle of a beautiful English park, wanted by the Princess Izabela Czartoryska in the eighteenth century. This beautiful green space has many pavilions that host temporary exhibitions in summer, or classical music concerts.

Gothic house. Opened in 1809, the Gothic house (Dom goticki) was used mainly for art exhibitions from abroad. Here was also the Lady at the Hammerard de Vinci. Following the insurrection of November 1830, most of the collection was transported to France, where Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, the last owner of Pulawy, exile. At the end of the nineteenth century, Władysław Czartoryski brings the collection to Krakow, where it is to date. Today, the Gothic house displays a collection of objects from the Czartoryski family, including many portraits.

Sybille Temple (Şwiatinia Sybilli). It was built in 1798-1801 on the model of Tivoli Temple near Rome; It is the most important historical monument in the city. According to Princess Izabela Czartoryska, who asked the foundation, he had to serve as a temple of memory. Here, the objects of the Sieniawski, Lubomirski, Czartoryski and other Polish nobles were exposed to remind everyone of the greatness of the Polish nation. In 1830, before the uprising in November, the collections were transported to Paris, and then to Krakow, where they became the nucleus of the Museum of the Czartoryski Princes.

Caves. In the north-west of the palace, along the Vistule, we arrived at caves (groty, 3.50 zl, tickets for sale at PTTK office, flares supplied), created in 1791 when Izabela decided to enlarge limestone quarries.

Regional Museum (Muzeum Czartoryskich w Puławach, ul. Czartoryskich 8). 200 m north of the palace, presents an ethnographic and archeological collection. Between May and October, part of the collection is exposed to the Gothic house and the Sybille temple.

Chapel Czartoryski. 200 m further, on Piłsudskiego Street, is the Czartoryski chapel, dating from the beginning of the nineteenth century, a copy of the Roman pantheon. It is a pity that interior parts are no longer of origin, but we will still appreciate the quality of the interior decoration.

Built in the ^17th century, it was rebuilt several times, following the town fires of the ^16th and ^17th centuries, signs of a tumultuous era: it burned in 1582, 1627 and 1651, and after an umpteenth reconstruction in 1590, it took the form of a two-storey brick building. In the first half of the ^17th century, it was used as a winery, and from 1741, for seven years, as an evangelical temple. Traditionally, it was painted green, a color it has retained for 180 years. Its 54 m tower overlooks the Rynek.

Located 8 km south of Zielona Góra, on an area of 13 ha, this skansen presents several traditional houses from Wielkopolska and Lower Silesia. It has the particularity of being associated with a national museum and a university research branch. Today, almost eighty historical buildings and more than ten thousand artifacts are available for visitors to see in permanent exhibitions and in the company's premises. During the year, folklore events are regularly held here.

This small museum presents a collection of objects that recall the city's attachment to the copper industry. It gathers collections related to the extraction, transformation and use of copper (copper-bearing minerals, ancient and modern copper engravings, ancient and contemporary bronze sculptures, artistic and utilitarian products made of copper and its alloys, a collection of decorative art, contemporary Polish goldsmith's work). In total, about 30,000 pieces.

This Gothic cathedral is a bit of an unusual sight, overlooking blocks of brutalist buildings from the Soviet era. This church is undoubtedly the most beautiful in the city, redesigned in the 19th century in a neo-Gothic architecture. The bronze baptismal font from the 13th century is considered the oldest in Poland. It is a recent cathedral, originally a church, raised by John Paul II to the rank of cathedral for the new diocese of Gliwice.

Behind the Rynek to the east, this church from the second half of the 14th century is the oldest monument in the city. It has been rebuilt several times after fires that ravaged it, the last time in the 18th century. It is in baroque style and we can only deplore that its tower, 90 m high, collapsed in 1776, hence the incongruous appearance of its current bell tower, which seems to be stuck here unexpectedly (which is the case). Its beautiful carved wooden entrance door is perhaps the only interest of the whole.

Behind the church of Sainte-Elisabeth, don't miss this cobbled alley of the old butcher shops, which dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The old stores of yesteryear are now home to art galleries and other craft stores. Wrocław makes a hell of a commercial for this fashionable passageway with an atmosphere that could not be more Western and touristy. At the end of the street, a sculpture pays homage to the barnyard animals that were once the focus of the work!

Built in the 16th century, in Renaissance style, it looks quite lonely in the middle of the Rynek, as the place was severely damaged during World War II, and Stalinist-style concrete buildings have been part of the scenery, since the 1950s. The original building was burned in the great fire of the city in the early 16th century. The present one was erected in the years 1569-1577 according to the design of the Italian architect Bernard Niuron and the construction of the building was led by the Italian builder Jakub Parr.

Located just opposite the cathedral on the north side (to the left of the main entrance), this tiny, unassuming Romanesque church is easily overlooked and rarely visited. Yet it is a jewel of the city's architectural heritage. Built in 1230, it is the only church to have survived the Tatar invasions and the pagan revolt that sacked its sisters. To this day, it is the oldest church in the city.

This vast complex, built in the 14th century, is built around a pleasant central courtyard. It was seriously damaged during the Second World War, but rebuilt as it was in the 16th century, in its Renaissance style. You can climb to the top of the tower which offers beautiful views. In the courtyard, a beautiful clock. In one of the wings of the site is the castle museum which preserves the main furniture and objects that belonged to the dukes.

In 1187, on a hill outside Szczecin's city walls, the Church of St. James was consecrated, founded by a wealthy bourgeois from Bamberg. This vast brick church was completely destroyed by the war, but rebuilt from the outside. Post-World War II reconstruction continued from 1945 to 1972. Prior to this, the building had already undergone a period of restoration in the ^16th century. From the top of the tower, a magnificent panorama of the city opens up. The interior features many contemporary artifacts.

The church of St. John is a beautiful Gothic church of the 15th century, with a sober and slender interior. It is the oldest church in the city. Originally a Franciscan monastic complex, during the Reformation the monks left the monastery and the parishioners and clergy mostly accepted Luther's reforms. From that time until 1945, the church was an evangelical temple, with a short stint under the communist regime where it was a warehouse.

Built between 1725 and 1727, it is one of the city's few Prussian Classicist monuments. It goes hand in hand with the Port Gate. It features war trophies, Mars as an allegory of war and Hercules as an allegory of heroism. The initials of King Frederick William ^I can be seen in a cartouche with the Prussian eagle. The laurel wreath symbolizes triumph; the shield, honor; the palm leaves, virtue; and the olive leaves, peace. Today, there's a café in the doorway.

Here you will find all the necessary information to visit the Wieliczka salt mines including accomplishing therapeutic stays here. You can also buy the entrance tickets at mine in advance.

In the center of the old town, this trapezoidal square is surrounded by beautiful Renaissance-style facades. Among the most beautiful houses are those of the Przybyla brothers, located next to each other at numbers 1 and 2. In the direction of the parish church, there is a bronze statue of a small sitting dog. Legend has it that if you stroke its nose while making a wish, it will come true. This statue represents the dog that came every day from Janowiec, on the other bank of the Vistula River, which it swam across, to be stroked.

This museum, housed in one of the two white buildings that face each other next to the village's paid parking lot, exhibits collections of geology, archaeology, zoology and botany of the park. From there, there are marked paths that lead to the different natural curiosities (rocks, caves, gorges). It is an entertaining stop for those who want to discover what they are dealing with in the park, but certainly not necessary to enjoy it.

This historic brewery dates back to 1802 and is the most famous beer house in Poland. The group of buildings includes the brewery, the cooperage, the porter's lodge and the director's house (1889-1890). Guided tours are organized from May to the end of September with the classic tour/tasting (tours only in Polish). It is also the main meeting place of the city! There is a popular beer garden and an open-air cinema that operates in the summer and offers a good selection of films, both documentary and original.

Built in 1640, the Kupa synagogue was the last to be built for the Jews of Kazimierz. It owes its current appearance to renovation work in the 1930s and to the restoration undertaken in the years 1990-2000. The impressive polychromy of the ceiling with representations of the cities of the Holy Land, and the paintings with the signs of the zodiac decorating the balustrade of the gallery are noteworthy. A fragment of the old medieval ghetto wall can be seen in the inner courtyard on the Warschauera Street side.

Built in 1860-1862 in the neo-Romanesque style with interiors inspired by Moorish art, it is, along with the Remu'h synagogue, one of the two synagogues still active in Krakow. Also called the "progressive synagogue", it was attended by maskilim Jews, "enlightened" in the sense of "opposed to the precepts of the ultra-Orthodox Hasidic" who, at the time, were linked to the Remu'h synagogue. A ritual bath, the mikva, was located behind the synagogue and remained in operation until the late 1960s.

At the end of Grodzka Street, before arriving in front of the Wawel, this wooden cross, installed in 1990, commemorates the victims of the Katyn massacre in 1940, when 22,000 Polish officers and managers were murdered on Stalin's orders and their families deported to Kazakhstan. Despite the evidence, the Communist authorities believe that it was a Nazi atrocity and it was not until the fall of the USSR that Boris Yeltsin acknowledged Moscow's responsibility.

This museum traces the life of Józef Czapski, an exiled Polish painter and writer whose biography is emblematic of an entire generation of patriotic intellectuals who fell victim to both the Nazis and the Soviets. Archival footage, video interviews, archive documents and his personal effects explain the changing geopolitical situation in Europe during the life of Czapski, survivor of the Katyń massacre. Personal objects include a superb collection of coins, medals and banknotes.

In the castle's basement kitchens, you'll find an astonishing exhibition that aims to reconstruct what Wawel Hill looked like a thousand years ago. Models and computer representations illustrate parts of buildings that no longer exist, hence the unusual name of this museum. Also on display are the reconstructed foundations of the Rotunda of the Virgin Mary, the oldest stone church built on the hill in the early ^11th century.

The first floor boasts a magnificent collection of Orthodox art from the Czech Republic, including icons and cult objects from the ^16th-17th centuries and an ^18th-century iconostasis. The collections on the second floor are devoted to Polish art from the ^12th to the ^18th centuries. Enthusiasts can really spend hours in this museum, while the more layperson will come away impressed. A must-see in Krakow.

This small and unusual museum offers an interesting collection of old objects used by pharmacists, some of which date back to the 16th century. Founded in 1946, it is located in a magnificent 15th century building. Among other things, it houses a reconstruction of a 17th century pharmacy and an apothecary's cellar. It is ideal for pharmacy enthusiasts who wish to discover the history of pharmacy from the Middle Ages to the present day. The others, you can pass your way without regrets, there is nothing here that is absolutely necessary to see.

It is the newest mound in Krakow as well as the highest in Poland. It was erected in honor of Marshal Józef Piłsudski after his death in 1935 using soil from World War I battlefields. It is located 1 kilometer north of the zoo. It can also be reached by following the marked trail from the Kościuszko Mound. It was the subject of a real memorial battle: the Nazis thought of razing it in 1941 and the communists removed the cross from its top.

Nice bike ride through the old town, Kazimierz and Podgórze. The tour is in English and really good quality. The guides alternate a description of the history of the city with amusing anecdotes and practical tips for enjoying it. The average group size is 8 to 12 people, which is more intimate and allows you to feel comfortable asking questions. Beware, the tour lasts about 3h30, which can be a bit long! A perfect tone for a relaxed and fun tour!

This artillery tower was built around 1460, during the reign of Casimir IV Jagellon, to reinforce the castle's defenses. In times of peace, it was used as a prison. From its summit, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city.

It's one of Poland's most beautiful neo-Gothic buildings. Delicate, sublime, romantic, this church captivates with its architectural harmony. It took five years to build this masterpiece, consecrated on October 24, 1909. More beautiful on the outside than on the inside, it nevertheless boasts a number of marvels, including a relief by Vit Wisz and Marian Krzyk, depicting The Marriage of St. Joseph and the Mother of God. Behind the main altar, you can also admire Sigismund Langman's image of Christ crucified in 1909.

At the confluence of the Brda River and the Bydgoszcz Canal, in the heart of the city, lies the tiny Ile aux Moulins. Built between 1773 and 1774, the Bydgoszcz Canal provides a waterway link to Berlin. The canal was built by some 6,000 German and Czech workers, a third of whom died of dysentery. Despite its sinister past, Windmill Island today is a haven of peace and greenery, preserving its red-brick buildings and old mills, which have been converted into museums (notably the Regional Museum).

From Rękawka Street to the left of house n. 22, a small trail leads towards a wooded hill with a rather bucolic framework. Here, the little church of Saint Benedict, one of the oldest in Krakow. Its construction, dated by archeologists in the twelfth century, remains wrapped in mystery. This Romanesque church, redesigned several times, especially in the sixteenth century, may have been founded by the Benedictine Benedictines, as suggested by the name of the saint to whom it is devoted. The fort of Saint Benedict was built in 1850 by the Austrians to reinforce the defense of the bridge on Vistule. If we continue south, we arrive at the old cemetery of Podgórze, located at the intersection of the streets Limanowskiego and Powstańców Śląskich. Probably created in 1790, it is the oldest cemetery in Krakow, where the heroes of the 1846 insurgency against the Austrians, as well as many Polish artists, are resting. South of the cemetery, a pedestrian bridge crosses the Powstańców Śląskich Street, along which there is a huge fresco on the history of Krakow. Once crossing the bridge, we arrive at Krak's tertre and, behind, at the camp of Płaszów.

Built by King Casimir the Great on the model of the Church of Our Lady on the Rynek, this church remains, despite its troubled history, one of the finest examples of Gothic style in Krakow. From the mid-15th to the mid-18th century, earthquakes, floods and fires followed one another until, in the first half of the 19th century, it was converted into an arsenal by the Austrians. This explains its bare interior. It has excellent acoustics and is therefore often used for concerts.

Opened in 1857, at 68 m it is the highest lighthouse in the Baltic. You have to climb 308 steps to reach the viewing terrace, but the panorama is breathtaking. The lighthouse was damaged during the Second World War, after Nazi troops ordered its destruction. But the lighthouse keeper, a German, was not to be denied. The damage was not repaired until 1959. It was restored again between 1998 and 2000. It was opened to the public in 2000, with a museum in the janitor's house.

This place can amuse the curious and interest the passionate, who will find a wealth of references to fishing and the marine environment. The museum is housed in the Town Hall building, Świnoujście's oldest, dating from 1804-1806. It's an interesting educational venue for children and adults alike, featuring live specimens (e.g. piranhas or turtles) and inert ones (fossils, amber), as well as exhibitions on the history of Świnoujście, but also on the history of fishing in general.

Villa Kolyba, the first villa built by the creator of the Zakopane style Stanisław Witkiewicz, in 1892, is the must-visit in town. Superb Art Nouveau wooden realization inspired by motifs of Carpathian folklore, with a number of delightful sculptures and ornaments. The exhibition, which allows you to see the interior, presents the history of the style and the life of its creator. It also contains beautiful pastels by Stanisław's son, Witkacy.

Świnoujście, located in Poland, is a unique city with its island character. It is surrounded by 44 islands, the largest of which are Uznam, Wolin and Karsibór. The staff at the tourist office are here to help and advise you. They can provide you with information on tourist attractions in and around Świnoujście, leisure activities, cultural and sporting events, available accommodation, as well as the services of local tourist agencies. You can also get information on transport in the city, including rail links, buses and ferries. Don't hesitate to visit the Tourist Information Center for brochures and tips to make your stay in Świnoujście unforgettable.

This church, located north of the Rynek, dates from the first half of the 18th century. Formerly Protestant, it is now Catholic. It is richly decorated with many baroque details. It is a beautiful historic church with exposed beams on the outside and two floors of balconies on the inside. In 1966, on November 5 and 6, the future Pope John Paul II, then archbishop, celebrated mass here, a fact commemorated by the church's parishioners.

The fortress of Świnoujście protected the town from the Middle Ages to modern times. Damaged during the Second World War, some buildings survived and were reused during the Communist era. Since 2005, a 4-kilometer trail has allowed visitors to tour the fortress. Three not-to-be-missed stops include Fort Angel, Fort West and Fort East, each offering a unique view of the history of the city and the fortress.

The Rynek is the main square of Sandomierz, set on a singular slope and surrounded by beautiful bourgeois houses where Gothic and classical styles alternate. Very beautiful is the Oleśnicki house at No. 10, the former post office. In the center of the square stands a beautiful town hall, one of the most beautiful Renaissance-style town halls in Poland. Its origin is said to date back to the 13th century, and it now houses a rather interesting, though very small, Historical Museum of the city.

In the heart of a lush park, you'll find numerous sculptures by Polish artists, most of them surprising works that will tickle your curiosity. The Center's collections include hundreds of sculptures. The collections also include paintings, drawings and tapestries. Exhibitions are scattered throughout the manor complex, which also includes an orangery, chapel, annex, attic, coach house and stables.

Located on the banks of the Vistula, this fortified monastery town dates from the 13th century. It was here that the "Dames of Zwierzyniec", also known as the Norbertine sisters, settled. At that time, the convent welcomed young noble girls and was often run by superiors from princely families. Every year, on Easter Monday, a big fair, called Emaus, is held in the vicinity of the monastery. It is also the starting point for the famous Lajkonik festival.

The Plaszów camp was built in 1942 on top of two Jewish cemeteries whose gravestones(matzevahs) were used by the Nazis to make roads. In 1944 it became an extermination camp and more than 50,000 prisoners are believed to have disappeared there. At ul. Jerozolimska n. 3, you can see the house that housed a prison and torture rooms. In ul. Heltmana n. 22, was the residence of Amon Goeth, the SS officer in charge of the camp, known for his cruelty and executed in 1946.

The Cricoteka, one of the city's major cultural centers, occupies the buildings of the former Podgórze power plant. The permanent exhibition presents the work of Tadeusz Kantor (1915-1990), one of the greatest theater artists and reformers of the 20th century. Sets, props, sketches, photographs and recordings of his performances show the successive stages of his theater's development. The café on the top floor offers a superb panoramic view of this stunning post-industrial complex.