{"id":7380,"date":"2020-04-29T17:43:44","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T17:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mircorp.com\/?p=7380"},"modified":"2022-03-25T13:56:16","modified_gmt":"2022-03-25T13:56:16","slug":"super-poland-reasons-to-visit-poland-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/super-poland-reasons-to-visit-poland-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Super Poland: 7 Reasons to Visit Poland Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

For years Poland<\/a> has been one of the top 20 most visited countries in the world, according to the UN World Tourism Organization. Few countries lay claim to such a wealth of architectural treasure and natural beauty as Poland<\/a>. <\/strong>Lonely Planet<\/em> designated it #7 in the Top Ten Countries to Visit in 2016<\/a><\/strong>, writing, \u201cIf any country in Europe can boast superpowers, it\u2019s Poland.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>\"\"
\n

Here are seven of its super charms:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

1. Wroclaw, Capital of Culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

The 4th<\/sup>-largest city in Poland<\/a>, Wroclaw is a 2016 European Capital of Culture<\/a>. <\/strong>The European Capital of Culture program was launched in 1985 to help introduce and bring together the different cultures of Europe. Each year one or more of Europe\u2019s most wonderful cities is given the title and invites the world to join a year-long cultural celebration that can include music, dance, art, drama, exhibitions and festivals \u2013 anything that shows off the history and traditions of the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old
Old Town Wroclaw, Poland. Photo credit: Polish National Tourist Board<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Originally a Slavic settlement already established by the year 1000, Wroclaw was for hundreds of years called Breslau, and ruled by Germans. By the end of WWII, over 40,000 citizens were killed, and the city was awarded to Poland. The remaining German inhabitants were expelled or repressed and Poles from Lwow, which became the Ukrainian city of Lviv, were encouraged to settle here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Winding
Winding streets of old Wroclaw, Poland.Photo credit: Renee Van Drent<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Today Wroclaw retains the beauty of its Old Town, a combination of Germanic Gothic, Viennese baroque and Flemish Renaissance structures. Another highlight is incredible Leopoldine Hall, a gorgeous baroque confection of hanging plaster sculptures, frescoes of coral and turquoise and dark wooden pews. Every inch of the arched hall is decorated with exuberant artwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Leopoldine
Leopoldine Hall in Wroclaw, Poland. Photo credit: Polish National Tourist Board<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Wroclaw\u2019s UNESCO-listed modernist Centennial Hall, designed by noted German architect Max Berg, was constructed between 1911 and 1913, and is the first building of its size to be made of reinforced concrete. The oldest restaurant in Europe is located here, as well. It\u2019s called \u201cPiwnica Swidnicka,\u201d and it started life as a beer hall in 1275.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wroclaw's
Wroclaw’s Gothic Old Town Hall. Photo credit: Polish National Tourist Board<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

2. Warsaw, Modern Capital<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

A walking tour of UNESCO-listed Old Warsaw, meticulously reconstructed after its destruction during WWII, is a great way to admire the highlights of the city. <\/strong>Explore the gracious Royal Road, leading from the historic buildings, churches, and palaces of the Old Town to the gardens, chic shops, and caf\u00e9s along Krakowskie Przedmiescie and Nowy Swiat streets. Many of Warsaw\u2019s landmarks line the pedestrian way, including the Presidential Palace, Holy Cross Church where Chopin\u2019s heart is kept, the Bristol Hotel, Warsaw University, and the Copernicus statue. The road leads to Wilanow Castle south of the city center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland. Photo credit: Martin Klimenta<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Take a stroll in Lazienki Park along the banks of the Vistula River, where outdoor Chopin concerts are held during the summer months. Discover the former Warsaw Ghetto, where an estimated 450,000 Jews \u2013 almost 30% of Warsaw\u2019s population \u2013 were crowded into 2.5% of the city\u2019s area, and the Umschlagplatz where the Gestapo had the Jews assemble to be sent to Treblinka.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\t
\n
\n\n \n\t\t\t
\n\n \n \"Windblown <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t
\n \n \"Warsaw \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n \n \"Warsaw's \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n \n \"The \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n \n \"Festivities \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \n
\n
\n