There are hundreds of castles & palaces in Poland; which is not at all surprising when you consider that the country has been involved in so many wars. Poland’s history consists of a glorious and golden era in addition to many painful and dark periods and over the years, the country has suffered from countless battles, partitions and other political and social disorders. The castles & palaces in Poland all have their own unique and individual stories to tell and they serve as a reminder of bygone days.

When you begin to discover Poland, you will find that the country is much bigger than most people think, it is actually the 17th largest nation in the world covering 305,000 km² of land and 8,500 km² of water. A country with punctuated areas of immense beauty, Poland is situated in the heart of Europe. Historically, Poland has been designated as an Eastern European country; which was understandable during the Cold War; today, most Polish people identify as being from Central Europe.

There are 23 national parks in Poland representing 1% of the country’s surface (that’s about 3,200 sq km). The oldest national park, Białowieża was established way back in 1932, is the most well-known of all the parks and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The area is home to the largest population of European bison in the world and you might also spot wild boar, elk, red deer & wolves. Visiting the parks is a great way to discover Poland.

Poland is a country with a diverse landscape that offers many opportunities for outdoor activities. Some popular options include hiking in the Tatra Mountains, skiing and snowboarding in the Beskids and Karkonosze Mountains, kayaking and rafting on the Dunajec and Biebrza rivers, and cycling along the many trails and routes throughout the country. Additionally, Poland has a long coastline on the Baltic Sea, which is a popular destination for swimming, windsurfing, and sailing.

There are sixteen regions of Poland (voivodeships in Polish). Think of these as counties in the UK or a province in many other countries. Poland is bordered by the Baltic Sea to the north and a region of mountains to the south with a diverse range of flora & fauna, rivers & lakes and landscapes in between. Each region has its own unique identity, some are perfect for visitors who love active holidays, focused on cycling, hiking, rock climbing & boating and some are more suited to those who prefer to spend time in the cities and towns.

Poland is one of Europe’s most religious countries with many of the country’s landmarks being religious sanctuaries. There are more than 200 various sanctuaries in Poland with the majority being dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The oldest is located in Gorka Klasztorna where it is said that our lady appeared before a shepherd in 1079. The biggest is the Basilica in Lichen; which can accommodate an impressive 7,000 worshipers.

Most visitors to Poland are aware of the beauty of places such as the Tatra Mountains and of the architectural wonders that can be found in the cities of the country; but few people know about the hidden treasures that can be found beneath the surface. There is a surprising number of underground attractions in Poland with some real gems to be discovered including 17 mines, 9 cave systems, tunnels, dungeons, medieval cellars and even a city.

Chamberlain’s radio broadcast and declaration of war against Germany on 3 September 1939 at 11 am is one of the most-played radio broadcasts in the history of radio and has featured within numerous films and documentaries. Because of this, most people today are aware that World War II started due to Germany’s invasion of Poland. World War II devastated most people’s lives, it was a very dark period in history, particularly for Polish citizens who were immensely influenced by the events that took place between 1939 and 1945.

There are 17 World Heritage Sites located in Poland ranging from ancient woodlands to medieval castles to salt mines. The list also includes the infamous Auschwitz Birkenau camp. The first two sites in Poland were inscribed in 1978 and the latest in 2019. Poland has a 1,000 year-old-history ladened with cultural heritage & rich traditions and the country attracts millions of tourists each year with many tourists placing Poland’s World Heritage Sites at the top of their ‘Must Visit’ lists.