Travel

Travel

Ojcow National Park with Limestone Castles

Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Wednesday, 01 July 2009 21:05

Ojcow National Park is one of the most interesting national parks in Poland near Krakow, created in 1956. In spite of the fact that it is the smallest national park, it is very interesting. The main attraction is its limestone karst forms - rocks and caves created naturally through the activity of water in carbonate and limestone rocks (see a famous Hercules cudgel below) . The presence of the limestone rock in this region who was strategically very important for Poles allowed building beautiful castles and fortecess. Some of them are still in good shape (see Pieskowa Skala), some are in ruins.

Biskupin: One of the Oldest and Best Preserved Archeological Sites in Central Europe

Written by Jerzy and Jagoda Sunday, 02 September 2007 17:00

Biskupin is the most famous archeological site in Poland and one of the best sites in Europe. The site was reconstructed and serves as a life-size model of Iron Age fortified settlement. The site was probably established more than 700 BC (over 2700 years ago), in the same time when Roman empire was founded.

It was discovered in 1933 by students who noticed some sticking wooden poles from the lake. They informed their teacher and he informed profesor Kostrzewski from Poznan. Prof. Kostrzewski with his group started excavating the site and the work was continued until World War II (1939).

Wilanów: A Royal Residence in Warsaw

Written by Holly Saturday, 04 August 2007 17:00

Although it was a Royal residence, Wilanów was actually designed as a private retreat for King Jan III Sobieski, who valued family life above material splendor. The original property, known as Villa Nova, was purchased in 1677 and within two years had been rebuilt into a mansion, designed by royal architect Augustyn Locci. Subsequently, two wings, towers, and a first-floor banqueting hall were added, with the interiors decorated by some of Europe's finest craftsmen.

Żnin District Narrow Gauge Railway to Biskupin

Written by Jagoda and Jerzy Thursday, 02 August 2007 17:00

Biskupin, the most famous archeological site in Central Europe, can be reached either by car or by narrow-gauge railway from Żnin. The narrow-gauge railway, 600 mm wide, was built in 1892/92 to transport agricultural products like sugar beets to the local sugar factory. It also took passengers.

Zamosc: the Pearl of Renaissance

Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn and Basia Samulak Wednesday, 01 August 2007 17:00

Zamosc is an amazing town. It has several characteristics which make it really unique not only in Poland but even in the world. Zamosc is one of the most outstanding examples of Renaissance architecture in Europe. It was founded in 1580 by Jan Zamoyski (Zamojski), a powerful magnate, the great crown chancellor and hetman. Zamoyski chose a site for the town and also designed it. Zamosc was built since scratch as a fortress town in less than twenty years! Zamosc is also called "Padua of the East".