Cultural sightseeing in Poland

A huge number of monuments of history and architecture wait for tourists in Poland. You could learn about the difficult life of the Polish people. The numerous wars have changed the country's borders, its history, and identity. Pieces of evidence can be found in amazing museums located in different parts of the country. Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is one of the most beautiful cities not only in the state but in all Europe. The architecture of the city is a mixture of different styles and cultures. There are several palaces in the city. The most famous one is the Royal Palace. It is considered to be the landmark of the city. The mansion has been built in the style of classicism. During the Second World War, the palace was plundered and destroyed. Then, it was restored, and it is still the heart of the city.

Wilanow Palace, built in the Baroque style, is in the southeast of the city. The palace has been founded in the 17th century. It was a royal residence. The place features spectacular facades. One of the country's first museums was opened there in the 19th century. There is a huge number of museums in Warsaw telling visitors about the country's struggle for independence and the history of Polish Jews. The National Museum represents collections dedicated to antiquity, early Christian and medieval art, Polish painting, decorative art, and numismatics. One of the largest museums in Warsaw is the Archaeological Museum that houses a collection of items dating back to prehistoric Poland. The Museum of Independence consists of three sections, among which the mausoleum of struggle and martyrdom will be especially interesting. It recreates the conditions in times of fascist occupation.

Lublin is another city with the large cultural heritage. It houses the Lublin Castle, built in the 16th century in the Gothic style. The fortress was built by the order of Rez Pospolita King Kazimierz the Great. Today, the Lublin Museum operates in its walls. The facility holds collections of military, numismatic, artistic, and archaeological artifacts. The area of ​​the old town of Lublin was built in the very beautiful Renaissance style. The entrance to this part of the city was formerly carried out through the Krakow Gate decorated with icons. The gate houses the Museum of History of Lublin. The venue stores important documents, ceramics, and a clock bell of the gate, which was cast in the 16th century. Those who are interested in the traditional Polish culture will like an excursion to the Museum of Lublin Culture, where folk architecture is displayed. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Many museums and palaces are located in Krakow, which is another major city of the country. It is worth to visit Wawel Hill. A whole complex of monuments of history and architecture, including the Royal Castle, the Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslas, the Rotunda of the Blessed Virgin Mary, several towers, and gates, is situated there. The Stained Glass Museum in Krakow is set in a beautiful Art Nouveau building. The former offers visitors an opportunity to admire an amazing exhibition dedicated to images made of stained glass. Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow is located in the former building of the Schindler factory. Its visitors can appreciate modern trends of creativity. A special attention is given to the post-war avant-garde. Regional Museum of Rzeszów has interesting exhibitions devoted to archeology, history, and art. Visitors will be able to walk along the underground tunnel under the Market Square, where some collections are located.

The unusual architecture is a feature of Old Town of Gdansk. Most of its buildings were constructed in 13-18 centuries. One of the most ancient buildings in this part of the city is the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary, built in the 13th century. The construction features the Gothic style. National Maritime Museum can boast expositions that tell about ports of the country, peculiarities of navigation, and shipbuilding. It’s worth to pay a special attention to the collection of ancient Slavonic boats and medieval vessels. One of the most important museums of the country is the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Auschwitz. It is located on the territory of former fascist concentration camps. The place is in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Annually, more than a million people from all over the world visit this museum that forever portrayed the horror felt by the Jewish population of Poland.