CRACOW – CZESTOCHOWA UPLAND
, popularly known as the JURA is a
unusual
land situated in the Polish region called
SILESIA. It is an area of unique rocks, caves, hills,
gorges built of Jurassic limestone. The view from the rocks and hills is
breath-taking. If you like to admire a beautiful landscape, don’t hesitate and
come to see this region. The so- called Eagles’ Nests Landscape Parks
sustain the part of the Upland. The parks are full of ruins of XIV th century
hilltop castles. It is also an ideal place for people who like climbing rocks or
walking on the hills. Our town – ZAWIERCIE – is situated on this Upland.
It is a really beautiful area.
CRACOW
is an old but very beautiful city in the South of Poland, situated in the region called MALOPOLSKA. It was the first capital of Poland.WAWEL ROYAL CASTLE
is the most famous monument placed in Cracow. It is on the top of the castle hill overlooking the Vistula River (the main river in Poland).The castle was built in 1500 for king Zygmunt and his wife Bona. The castle contains several towers, a few museums, cannons, an arcaded courtyard and a beautiful cathedral. It was a residence of Polish kings, but it is a museum now. There are a lot of wonderful furniture and world – class objects of art in the castle. The chambers are magnificient. They contain priceless art. treasures. A special collection of arrases comes from XVIth century. The arrases are very large and look like pictures. The Wawel is also famous for its legend. The legend is connected with a dragon called Bazyliszek, which lived in a cave near the castle. At present tourists can visit the Dragon’s Cave (Polish ‘Smocza Jama’). Outside the cave there is also a huge, green dragon, which breathes fire. It’s not a real animal, of course, but it is beautiful.
Another monument located in Cracow is
SUKIENNICE. It is in the centre of Main Square in Cracow. It is a special Polish marketplace. It was built in XIVth century in Rennoissance style. You can buy here Polonaise ornaments, Polish crysal, hand – carved keepsake boxes, hand – painted pottery, Polish national costumes, flags, etc.
WIELICZKA
is a smalltown near Cracow. It is famous because it has got a SALT MINE. The mine is placed under the ground. The salt mine is over 700 years old. Now it is an amazing museum.
POMERANIA (POMORZE)
is a region in northern Poland along the Baltic coast. It encompasses two different landscape zones: the coast and the lake districts. It is divided into Western Pomerania (around Szczecin) and Eastern Pomerania (around Gdansk). SHIFTING DUNES are the biggest attraction of this region. They are located in the Slowinski National Park near the town called Leba. The dunes take on fantastic shapes.
CASTLE IN MALBORK
is situated in northern Poland, near Gdansk. It is the biggest and most impressing gothic Teutonic castle in Europe. It comes from XIII th and XIV th centuries. It was the Teutonic Order’s capital and the fortress.
THE ROYAL CASTLE IN WARSAW
is situated in the centre of Poland, in WARSAW - Polish capital. The castle was built in XIV th century. It became a royal residence when king Zygmunt III moved the Polish capital from Crocow to Warsaw in 1569. The castle was also the seat of the SEJM (Polish PARLIAMENT). It is now a place of exposes and exhibitions. The diversity of paintings, ceramics, glass items, furniture, arts, arrases and Polish clothes are exhibited here. The castle rooms inside are very well – furnitured.
PANORAMA
RACLAWICKA is an unusual art monument located in LOWER SILESIA, in a city called WROCLAW. It is a huge (120m x 15m) painting in the shape of a revolving hyperboloid spool which commemorates the battle of Raclawice. The battle took place on 4th April 1974 and was a victory for Polish army commanded by Tadeusz Kosciuszko over Russian army. The painting of PANORAMA was painted in Lwow by Jan Styka and Wojciech Kossak. The process of painting took a lot of time. Tourists can watch the Panorama together with mock – ups of battlefield and figures of soldiers wearing uniforms dating from the KOSCIUSZKO INSURRECTION and listen to a commentary in one of six languages. The ‘ Panorama Raclawicka’ became a member of the Congress of European Panoramas.
POLAND’S LAKE DISTRICT
is in MAZURY, in the north – east of the country. It is an area of lakes and forests. The main resort is in Gizycko. It is an excellent place to practice warer sports like, for example, sailing, canoeing or waterskiing.
SANCTUARY OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
at JASNA GORA in CZESTOCHOWA, in the South of Poland. Czestochowa is a city on the Eagles’ Nests Landscape Parks border, on the River Warta. It is a special place for Poles, because it symbolizes the valour and the bravery for them. When the Swedish Army kept their attack on the Sanctuary for 40 days, the Jasna Gora was a fortress. It didn’t surrender although the superiority of the anemy was huge. Some people claim that The Mother of God managed to protect Jasna Gora and that is why it is a sacred place for them.
POLISH MOUNTAINS DISTRICT
is in south of Poland. The most popular are the Tatra Mountains on the border with Slovakia. It is a fantastic place for ski – lovers in winter and amateurs of climbing in summer. The main resort is ZAKOPANE – a capital of Polish mountains. It is also a region with rich culture. Mountaneers, called in Polish GORALE, wear folk costumes. It is connected with goral tradition handed down from generation to generation. Gorale love folk music, singing and dancing. They are also great artists, they carve in wood.. The things they carve are really wonderful.
