Poland


HOME Europe France Ukraine England Poland Austria Netherlands Portugal Spain Germany Azia Egypt Cyprus Turkey India Sri-Lanka China Japan Africa Tunisia Kenya Tanzania Zambia Botswana	Poland, Republic of Poland - landlocked country in the north of Central and Eastern Europe. Area - 321.7 thousand square meters. km. The northern part of the country is a low shore of the Baltic Sea with dunes and sandbars. Baltic Sea juts into the land of Gdańsk Bay closed to the sea Hel oblique, Vistula Lagoon from Vistula oblique and shallow Szczecin Lagoon. Northern and central part of the country has an extensive Polish Lowland. To the south of it are the Silesian Lowland, the Cracow-Częstochowa Upland, the Malopolska Upland with Sven-tokshiskimi mountains up to 612 m and Lublin Upland up to 390 m. Between the last two is Sandomierz Basin. Extreme south of the country is mountain ranges in the west - the Sudetenland the highest point - Mount Snowball, 1602 m, in the east - the Western Carpathian Mountains highest point - Mount Rysy, 2499 m. Climate in Poland The climate is temperate, with the transition from the sea (in the north and west) to continental (in the east and south-east). The average January temperature in the lowland areas of -1 ... -5 ° C in the mountains -8 ° C, in July +19 ° C and +10 ° C, respectively. Precipitation falls in the lowlands of 500-600 mm per year, in the Pomeranian and Masurian Lakes - 700-900 mm, in the southern mountain areas - up to 1200 mm. The country is cut through a dense river network. Biggest p. Wisla (1047 km) runs from the Tatras to the Baltic Sea. The second largest p. Odra. In Poland there are approx. 9 thousand glacial lakes, of which the largest are Śniardwy (114 sq. km.) And Mamry (104 sq. km.) .27% Of the territory is covered by forests, 20% of them - deciduous (oak, beech) and more than 70% - pine (west and north). The largest forest (forest) are located in the north-east (White, Bialowieza, Knyshinskaya The August) and the south (Sandomierz, Solski). Cultivated lands occupy 47% of the area for approx. 15% are occupied by pastures and hayfields. There are 22 national parks with a total area of 3 thousand square meters. km and 100 landscape parks with a total area of 20 thousand square meters. km. The most famous are the national parks Tatrsky (with glacial lake. Marine Eye) and Lenin (the mountains around Zakopane). Several hundred bison, formerly lived in large numbers in these areas and almost exterminated to beg. 20. Lives in Bialowieza reserve. Traditions of Poland You can get acquainted with the country, looking at her from the window of a tourist bus or a hotel, satisfied with the information contained in the guide. But the emotional relationship to the places visited can only occur under the influence of direct contact with the people living there, as it is familiar with their customs, culture and traditions not only leaves a trace in our memory, but also the soul. Poles are considered people who love holidays, observant, longstanding customs. Old rituals, especially those that date back to pagan times, have long lost their magical character, becoming a relic of the past and a colorful part of the game. In this Catholic country, many customs are closely related to religion. Easter and Christmas is a holiday, like New Year's, and the most interesting event of Easter - Celebration of Holy Week at Calvary. Then arrange the whole theatrical performance: entry of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crucifixion of the Holy Friday and, of course, the resurrection of Jesus. Numerous spectators sometimes so involved that even the attempt to free Jesus from the "Roman soldiers". And about Bernardine monastery of the 17th century built 42 chapels, representing the procession. With the Easter holidays were associated with various local traditions. In Krakow was very popular (and still is) the so called "Emaus" - festivities that are held in memory of the way the apostles in the town of Emaus. Street vendors laid out on the shelves of cheap shiny ornaments, whistles, toys and sweets. Krakow's apprentice, and the young men who came to the city to "Emaus" from the surrounding villages, flirted with girls, slapping their willow branches, and demonstrated their prowess in cane valiant battles. The crowds who gathered at the Church and watched the procession of religious brotherhoods, walking on the sidewalks with tambourines, with the banner of brotherhood and holy images. Today, on the shelves, in addition to traditional toys and handicrafts there, unfortunately, printed plastic trinkets, but all the same, "Emaus" still brings great joy and kids and adults. Experts believe that the views of all the Easter Europe is perhaps the oldest and interesting. November 1 everywhere celebrate All Saints Day, November 2 and commemorate the dead. According to popular belief, the day of commemoration of the souls of dead leaves graves, attend a memorial service in the church and returned to the home of soy. Souls to be easier to get into the house, relatives often open the doors and windows, leaving food and drink, trying not to displease these guests and enlist their help. Memorial Day - "zadushki" - very solemnly celebrate today. Relatives gather together to visit the graves of their loved ones, light candles. Very popular mass pilgrimages to places of worship. Among the holy places for Catholics, above all, we should mention the Czestochowa monastery at Jasna Gora, the Jews in such a place is the grave of the tzaddik in Leżajsk, and for the Orthodox - Grabarka. Holiday, in Polish tradition occupies a very important place, is Christmas. The special atmosphere in Rozhestva Eve - Christmas Eve (in Poland it is called Vigilius). On this day most associated rituals, customs and beliefs. Christmas Eve - the Polish family holiday. Important role in creating a festive atmosphere is design a house or apartment. The main decoration is elegant tree, which are in the Christmas holiday. But this is one of the newest holiday traditions. The first Christmas tree appeared in Poland in the XIX century. Mainly in German houses and homes for residents of evangelical religion - natives of Germany. Gradually the custom of dressing the Christmas tree spread across Poland. Earlier, the Polish home on holidays only decorated with branches of conifers. Attractions in Poland Malbork Malbork is best known for its castle - the largest Gothic castle, not only in Poland but also in Europe. In addition, the strength of Malbork is the largest brick building, which man has ever built. The fortress was built over 200 years old, dating from the 13th century. Malbork was an example of military architecture of the Middle Ages. A built these building Jerusalem German House Hospital Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the short title of which the Teutonic Order. Knights named the town in honor of his patron Mary Marienburg. Later this name was transformed in Malbork. The Teutonic Order was founded in the East during the Crusades. After the failure that haunted knights in battles with the Muslims, Duke Conrad of Masovia invited the Teutonic Order in the Baltic tribes to fight the Prussians, who ravaged the land of the Polish principalities. In 1226, Conrad has agreed with the establishment of the Order of the Knights of the settlements on the border to defend the Duchy of Mazovia. Wieliczka Salt Mine Wieliczka, you can say a suburb of Krakow, so when we got almost to the city, he immediately hit the usual city traffic jams. In this regard, we did not even have time for accommodation and we had to immediately go with things to Mine. Managed to 2 minutes before closing! Still, we managed to get in, and then the tour has already begun to flow in slow rhythm. I'll tell you a little history first. The salt mines were opened almost in the 15th century. Since their discovery is bonded one beautiful legend. One Hungarian royal family decided to give his daughter in marriage to the Polish king. This girl's name was King. And when King went to her future husband to Poland, she threw her wedding ring in a well near the house. When she got to the Wieliczka (then this place is, of course, not so called), in one of the places ordered to dig a well (like, she had a dream with omen). When the well was dug, then it got to the bottom of a crystal object that was walled her wedding ring! Ie her ring on groundwater proputeshestvovalo her, and returned to it in Poland. That's how the salt mines were opened, as ring it was in a great piece of crystalline salt. Now King is considered sacred, and her sculptures often caught in the underground mines of Wieliczka. And the great hall, which houses the chapel under the ground, is named in honor of St. Kinga. Well, now in order. First we went down for a long time on a small, narrow staircase. I counted - 53 span. All the walls and ceiling of the tunnel made of wooden beams, on which there is no living space - the entire surface of the wood is painted. Wishes, names, dates, and other writings, usually leave fans "graffiti" in all languages. Then, when we went down to a sufficient depth (something about 60 meters) we were led through the halls, each of which has its own attractions. And so gradually, moving from room to room, we went down lower and lower until it reached the level of 135 meters. Length - 3 km. This so-called tourist trail. Then there is the route for extremists. It is 8 km long and goes down to 162 meters. The underground halls there's even a sanatorium for people with asthma, as considered that the air shafts is very useful. At first it was scary, did you go down into the earth, who knows what, suddenly fill up, or air will be enough, and in general - who knows what ... But it was not scary. All the walls and ceilings in the halls and passages between them, securely fastened everywhere installed ventilation, maintained a constant flow of air and the temperature was 15 degrees. The main thing to keep and not to turn away ... Each hall tour guide will tell you what this place is remarkable in what century developed a "cave", allow to lick the walls, floor or ceiling (to whom he wants.) Early on in the tour guide joked that the mines can not do this and that, but there are some things that you can do. Namely, each tourist can lick salt from the walls of a total weight of 2 kg of course a joke, but in my opinion, every time though, and kissed somewhere. Interesting fact to know, and whether or not the wall - a lump of salt? With full responsibility - all the walls are really made of salt Miners - people are very superstitious and religious, as they always have to risk your life, so it is from the 15th century underground Storey small chapel, where miners could pray without leaving the mines. They had to be under the ground for hours, the way up was very difficult, so it is much easier to build a chapel right in the mine. Initially, the chapel made of wood, but after mnogochsilennyh fires and many victims, used to build the tree was banned. But miners our way out - they began to make pictures of saints from what was on hand in abundance - from rock salt. Since then, and it has begun to develop arts carved rock salt. Now in each room are located throughout various sculptures, statuettes, murals, etc., etc., etc., made by the miners themselves. Even the chandeliers in mnogiz halls made of salt. However, not stone, and from the crystal, the same as what we see at home with a salt shaker. Many rooms are entire compositions of mannequins depicting scenes from the everyday work of miners. Demonstrate how they worked and what inhumane working conditions were these people. On his back he had to carry the bags of rock salt, huge jars of salt water (which was also used for the production of salt), with just two pairs of arms and conventional flywheel, they had to pull out the huge vats of water to the surface. Also, along with people, worked in the mines and horses that were conducted underground all his life. The most amazing thing is that it turns out, the last horse who worked underground, was the removal from the mine a few years ago! Cities in Poland Warsaw Founding year of Warsaw unknown, but in the annals of the XIII century can be found on the City of Post Mazovian princes. In 1596 King Sigismund III Vasa moved the capital from Krakow to Warsaw, and this year is the capital city of Warsaw. Turbulent history of Warsaw's very interesting. , During the last war had been destroyed three times. Out of every four of five houses lay in ruins - but Warsaw has risen again became the capital of the country. And now you can find pre-war places of the city. Located in the center of the country Warsaw, although it was founded relatively late (compared to other Polish cities), at the beginning of the XIV century, since 1611 she has managed several times to visit the country's capital. As has long been the cultural and industrial center of Warsaw, called the Paris of the North, was one of the most beautiful and sophisticated cities in Central Europe for as long as it was virtually wiped out during World War II. In fact, Warsaw - the post-war product and in appearance and spirit. While many of its historic monuments have been restored, much of the city has done so in a modern style. A new species of Warsaw impressive, despite the fact that there are many neighborhoods with Stalinist buildings and simple does not stand out buildings. The city is divided Vistula in two. In the western sector of the left bank of the river is the city center and the "old town" north of the center. Almost all the attractions and most of the tourist sector are found on this side of the river. On the right bank in the suburb of Prague no major attractions and very few tourists. The old city was rebuilt from scratch since there remained only a pile of rubble after the Second World War. Restoration of commemorative structures, which were built between 1949 and 1963, was designed to restore the previous form of XVII-XVIII centuries. Each architectural piece, found in the ruins, has been used in the recovery process. Zakopane Zakopane is - resort city in southern Poland, situated at the northern foot of the Tatra Mountains at an altitude of 850 m above sea level. Located 100 km from the city on the border with Slovakia in the intermountain basin Podhale. Population - 27.4 million people (2006) - is mainly engaged in servicing tourists. As a mountain, health and beauty resort of Zakopane develops in the second half of the 19th century. The local mountain air contributes to the treatment of tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, anemia and accelerates the flow of recovery. Weather station Zakopane is known since 1870, and in 1899 to the resort was put on the railroad. Zakopane received city rights in 1933, and since then the city is the tourist center of the Polish Tatras. Zakopane is considered one of the best Polish ski resorts, as well as the largest center of mountaineering and tourism, it is called the winter capital of Poland. Each year, the city is visited by about 2 million tourists, including many foreigners. The resort large sports history: in 1910, it hosted an international competition skiers, three times in Zakopane held world championships in classic forms of skiing (FIS), three times - Winter Universiade. Each year in January, on the slope of Krokve competitions of the World Cup in skiing. In the neighborhood there are small villages, from which cable cars deliver tourists to the mountains. From Poronin - village, located in the north-east of Zakopane - beautiful views of the Tatra Mountains. In the village and in the immediate vicinity, there are 12 lifts. Village-Białka Tatrzańska lies 20 kilometers from Zakopane over the river Bialka, one of the most beautiful and cleanest rivers in the Tatras. The village is famous for its ski slopes, most of which are equipped with modern ski lifts, held lighting, and the slopes are covered if necessary with artificial snow. In Bukowina Tatrzańska (15 km from Zakopane) are a large number of ski slopes, ice rinks, there is a ski jump. Summer is also well developed tourist center. From the village of Murzasichle, lies just 6 km from Zakopane, boasts stunning views of the Polish and Slovak Tatras from here that most of the tourist mountain routes. There are six lifts. In Zakopane six major ski areas at altitudes of 860-2000 m, which has different levels of difficulty. A total of 60 lifts in Zakopane, the total length of slopes greater than 65 km. Lift station connected by bus lines and buses. The largest ski area Mt Kasprowy Wierch located in the Tatra National Park. To get to the top of the mountain can be commuter cable car or by chairlifts and drag lifts. This slope is a rather complex, like the northern slope of Mount Nosal, located in the southeast of the city. Easier slopes and located on Gubałówka, Glade, and Szymoszkowa Butorova-top. Beginners, tourists with children and lovers of quiet family skiing should pay attention to a lot of ski lifts are installed on private slopes directly in Zakopane - the uplands Antałówka, Kozinets, under Nosal Budzovskom on horseback, in Kościelisko, and many other places in the resort. Opole Opole - Poland charming town situated on the River Oder in the 85th km in the south-east of Wroclaw. Opole also known Oppeln in German. The population of the city of Opole is approximately 129 553 people. Opole - Opole Voivodeship is the capital of Lower Silesia. Opole was occupied by the Germans years ago. According to legend, the first inhabitants of Opole lived on the island, known as Wyspa Pasieka, which is located in the center of the Oder River. In the Middle Ages - the capital of an independent principality. From this period, preserved the most valuable architectural monuments. Opole already in VIII century Slavic settlement was important in the years 1201-1532 - the capital of Piast principalities, which in 1327 came under the power of the Czech Republic, and in 1532 - under the rule of Gasburgov. In 1740, the city took over the Prussians. Since that time, reinforced Germanization. Opole is not only the capital of Polish songs, but also a city of cultural values, science, tourism and business. This is a small town, but charming, and its numerous canals and gardens give it a special charm. Residents are proud of Opole as the historical past of the city. Interesting sights on the island Apiary is Piast Tower 13th century - the balance of the former castle, the Gothic Cathedral of St. Cross, the church and convent of the Franciscan Order from Piast Chapel - Piast mausoleum. City Hall is modeled after a Florentine PalazzoVecchio and baroque stone houses surrounding the market square in the old town. Amphitheater in Opole festival organized Polish songs. The area is a museum of the Opole Berkovitsa village. In Ethnographic Museum-Reserve moved house from the Opole region. The building of the former Jesuit college a museum Opole Silesia. The name of the city - Opole - comes from the historical Polish word "Opole," which means the basic organizational unit of the tribe of the Slavs. According to another version it is assumed that the name of the town comes from the word "field." According to a legend - once the leader of a tribe became lost while hunting in the dense forest, and when, after a few days he finally ran into a settlement of the people, he cried: "Oh! Field ». And later ordered the construction of the city at this point. Proud of his dating back to the IX century history Opole is among the most ancient cities of Poland. The first mention of the most important city opolyan (one of the Slavic tribes), located on the Oder River, located in the historical written sources of the second half of the IX century, "The Geography of Bavaria." Opole base as the city was the signature, in 1217 Casimir I - grandson Boleslaw Krivoustogo - instrument in force act terrain. This document has been installed capital Opole Opole-Rachibozhskogo principality. By order of the Casimir I in 1283 on the island of apiary, which is the Oder River, the castle was built Piast - princely ancestral castle. Opole location at the crossroads of major trade routes brought the city a sale. After the death of the last ruler of the Piast dynasty Opole was annexed to Brandenburg, and later - to Prussia. Prussian rule contributed to the massive influx of settlers into the city from Germany, which accelerated the already rapidly evolving process of Germanization. In 1751, the population of Opole was 1186 people. After the establishment of this center in 1816, the Regency town began to develop. Construction of the first railway line linking the cities Brzeg Opole and Wroclaw, was finished in 1843. Commissioned in 1859 cement plant gave rise to the development of the cement industry, which was a significant factor in its overall development. After the partition of Silesia, Opole in 1922, together with the large area Upper Silesia were annexed to Germany. A March 24, 1945 the city was handed over to the Polish authorities, at the time there lived 200 permanent residents. During World War II, more than 900 buildings, most of the industry, as well as all the bridges in the city were destroyed, but the restoration of the city began immediately after the war. Opole became the capital of the province in 1950, and since then has been actively developing as a cultural, scientific and industrial center, the center of tourism and business. Auschwitz The origins of the camp can be dated to early 1940, when the SS sent a commission to the Polish town of Oswiecim (German: Auschwitz) to determine whether a set of barracks that had been constructed outside the town during WW1, and that between the wars had been used by the Polish military, could be used as a concentration camp. Although the initial report was negative, a later inspection determined that the change of use would be possible after some construction works. Another commission, headed by SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Höß, visited Auschwitz on 18-19 April 1940. Höß' report seems to have carried the most weight, for on 27 April 1940 Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler ordered the establishment of a concentration camp in Auschwitz and on 4 May appointed Rudolf Höß as its commandant.

Poland, Republic of Poland - landlocked country in the north of Central and Eastern Europe. Area - 321.7 thousand square meters. km.
The northern part of the country is a low shore of the Baltic Sea with dunes and sandbars. Baltic Sea juts into the land of Gdańsk Bay closed to the sea Hel oblique, Vistula Lagoon from Vistula oblique and shallow Szczecin Lagoon. Northern and central part of the country has an extensive Polish Lowland. To the south of it are the Silesian Lowland, the Cracow-Częstochowa Upland, the Malopolska Upland with Sven-tokshiskimi mountains up to 612 m and Lublin Upland up to 390 m. Between the last two is Sandomierz Basin. Extreme south of the country is mountain ranges in the west - the Sudetenland the highest point - Mount Snowball, 1602 m, in the east - the Western Carpathian Mountains highest point - Mount Rysy, 2499 m.

The climate is temperate, with the transition from the sea (in the north and west) to continental (in the east and south-east). The average January temperature in the lowland areas of -1 ... -5 ° C in the mountains -8 ° C, in July +19 ° C and +10 ° C, respectively. Precipitation falls in the lowlands of 500-600 mm per year, in the Pomeranian and Masurian Lakes - 700-900 mm, in the southern mountain areas - up to 1200 mm.

You can get acquainted with the country, looking at her from the window of a tourist bus or a hotel, satisfied with the information contained in the guide. But the emotional relationship to the places visited can only occur under the influence of direct contact with the people living there, as it is familiar with their customs, culture and traditions not only leaves a trace in our memory, but also the soul.

Poles are considered people who love holidays, observant, longstanding customs. Old rituals, especially those that date back to pagan times, have long lost their magical character, becoming a relic of the past and a colorful part of the game.

In this Catholic country, many customs are closely related to religion. Easter and Christmas is a holiday, like New Year's, and the most interesting event of Easter - Celebration of Holy Week at Calvary. Then arrange the whole theatrical performance: entry of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crucifixion of the Holy Friday and, of course, the resurrection of Jesus. Numerous spectators sometimes so involved that even the attempt to free Jesus from the "Roman soldiers". And about Bernardine monastery of the 17th century built 42 chapels, representing the procession.

With the Easter holidays were associated with various local traditions. In Krakow was very popular (and still is) the so called "Emaus" - festivities that are held in memory of the way the apostles in the town of Emaus. Street vendors laid out on the shelves of cheap shiny ornaments, whistles, toys and sweets.

Krakow's apprentice, and the young men who came to the city to "Emaus" from the surrounding villages, flirted with girls, slapping their willow branches, and demonstrated their prowess in cane valiant battles. The crowds who gathered at the Church and watched the procession of religious brotherhoods, walking on the sidewalks with tambourines, with the banner of brotherhood and holy images. Today, on the shelves, in addition to traditional toys and handicrafts there, unfortunately, printed plastic trinkets, but all the same, "Emaus" still brings great joy and kids and adults.

Experts believe that the views of all the Easter Europe is perhaps the oldest and interesting. November 1 everywhere celebrate All Saints Day, November 2 and commemorate the dead. According to popular belief, the day of commemoration of the souls of dead leaves graves, attend a memorial service in the church and returned to the home of soy.

Souls to be easier to get into the house, relatives often open the doors and windows, leaving food and drink, trying not to displease these guests and enlist their help. Memorial Day - "zadushki" - very solemnly celebrate today. Relatives gather together to visit the graves of their loved ones, light candles.

Very popular mass pilgrimages to places of worship. Among the holy places for Catholics, above all, we should mention the Czestochowa monastery at Jasna Gora, the Jews in such a place is the grave of the tzaddik in Leżajsk, and for the Orthodox - Grabarka.

Holiday, in Polish tradition occupies a very important place, is Christmas. The special atmosphere in Rozhestva Eve - Christmas Eve (in Poland it is called Vigilius). On this day most associated rituals, customs and beliefs. Christmas Eve - the Polish family holiday. Important role in creating a festive atmosphere is design a house or apartment. The main decoration is elegant tree, which are in the Christmas holiday. But this is one of the newest holiday traditions. The first Christmas tree appeared in Poland in the XIX century. Mainly in German houses and homes for residents of evangelical religion - natives of Germany. Gradually the custom of dressing the Christmas tree spread across Poland. Earlier, the Polish home on holidays only decorated with branches of conifers.

Malbork is best known for its castle - the largest Gothic castle, not only in Poland but also in Europe. In addition, the strength of Malbork is the largest brick building, which man has ever built. The fortress was built over 200 years old, dating from the 13th century.

Malbork was an example of military architecture of the Middle Ages. A built these building Jerusalem German House Hospital Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the short title of which the Teutonic Order. Knights named the town in honor of his patron Mary Marienburg. Later this name was transformed in Malbork.

The Teutonic Order was founded in the East during the Crusades. After the failure that haunted knights in battles with the Muslims, Duke Conrad of Masovia invited the Teutonic Order in the Baltic tribes to fight the Prussians, who ravaged the land of the Polish principalities. In 1226, Conrad has agreed with the establishment of the Order of the Knights of the settlements on the border to defend the Duchy of Mazovia.

Wieliczka, you can say a suburb of Krakow, so when we got almost to the city, he immediately hit the usual city traffic jams. In this regard, we did not even have time for accommodation and we had to immediately go with things to Mine. Managed to 2 minutes before closing! Still, we managed to get in, and then the tour has already begun to flow in slow rhythm.

I'll tell you a little history first. The salt mines were opened almost in the 15th century. Since their discovery is bonded one beautiful legend. One Hungarian royal family decided to give his daughter in marriage to the Polish king. This girl's name was King. And when King went to her future husband to Poland, she threw her wedding ring in a well near the house. When she got to the Wieliczka (then this place is, of course, not so called), in one of the places ordered to dig a well (like, she had a dream with omen). When the well was dug, then it got to the bottom of a crystal object that was walled her wedding ring! Ie her ring on groundwater proputeshestvovalo her, and returned to it in Poland. That's how the salt mines were opened, as ring it was in a great piece of crystalline salt. Now King is considered sacred, and her sculptures often caught in the underground mines of Wieliczka. And the great hall, which houses the chapel under the ground, is named in honor of St. Kinga.

Well, now in order. First we went down for a long time on a small, narrow staircase. I counted - 53 span. All the walls and ceiling of the tunnel made of wooden beams, on which there is no living space - the entire surface of the wood is painted. Wishes, names, dates, and other writings, usually leave fans "graffiti" in all languages. Then, when we went down to a sufficient depth (something about 60 meters) we were led through the halls, each of which has its own attractions. And so gradually, moving from room to room, we went down lower and lower until it reached the level of 135 meters. Length - 3 km. This so-called tourist trail. Then there is the route for extremists. It is 8 km long and goes down to 162 meters. The underground halls there's even a sanatorium for people with asthma, as considered that the air shafts is very useful.

At first it was scary, did you go down into the earth, who knows what, suddenly fill up, or air will be enough, and in general - who knows what ... But it was not scary. All the walls and ceilings in the halls and passages between them, securely fastened everywhere installed ventilation, maintained a constant flow of air and the temperature was 15 degrees. The main thing to keep and not to turn away ...

Each hall tour guide will tell you what this place is remarkable in what century developed a "cave", allow to lick the walls, floor or ceiling (to whom he wants.) Early on in the tour guide joked that the mines can not do this and that, but there are some things that you can do. Namely, each tourist can lick salt from the walls of a total weight of 2 kg of course a joke, but in my opinion, every time though, and kissed somewhere. Interesting fact to know, and whether or not the wall - a lump of salt? With full responsibility - all the walls are really made of salt

Miners - people are very superstitious and religious, as they always have to risk your life, so it is from the 15th century underground Storey small chapel, where miners could pray without leaving the mines. They had to be under the ground for hours, the way up was very difficult, so it is much easier to build a chapel right in the mine. Initially, the chapel made of wood, but after mnogochsilennyh fires and many victims, used to build the tree was banned. But miners our way out - they began to make pictures of saints from what was on hand in abundance - from rock salt. Since then, and it has begun to develop arts carved rock salt. Now in each room are located throughout various sculptures, statuettes, murals, etc., etc., etc., made by the miners themselves. Even the chandeliers in mnogiz halls made of salt. However, not stone, and from the crystal, the same as what we see at home with a salt shaker.

Many rooms are entire compositions of mannequins depicting scenes from the everyday work of miners. Demonstrate how they worked and what inhumane working conditions were these people. On his back he had to carry the bags of rock salt, huge jars of salt water (which was also used for the production of salt), with just two pairs of arms and conventional flywheel, they had to pull out the huge vats of water to the surface. Also, along with people, worked in the mines and horses that were conducted underground all his life. The most amazing thing is that it turns out, the last horse who worked underground, was the removal from the mine a few years ago!

Founding year of Warsaw unknown, but in the annals of the XIII century can be found on the City of Post Mazovian princes. In 1596 King Sigismund III Vasa moved the capital from Krakow to Warsaw, and this year is the capital city of Warsaw. Turbulent history of Warsaw's very interesting. , During the last war had been destroyed three times. Out of every four of five houses lay in ruins - but Warsaw has risen again became the capital of the country. And now you can find pre-war places of the city.
Located in the center of the country Warsaw, although it was founded relatively late (compared to other Polish cities), at the beginning of the XIV century, since 1611 she has managed several times to visit the country's capital. As has long been the cultural and industrial center of Warsaw, called the Paris of the North, was one of the most beautiful and sophisticated cities in Central Europe for as long as it was virtually wiped out during World War II. In fact, Warsaw - the post-war product and in appearance and spirit. While many of its historic monuments have been restored, much of the city has done so in a modern style. A new species of Warsaw impressive, despite the fact that there are many neighborhoods with Stalinist buildings and simple does not stand out buildings.
The city is divided Vistula in two. In the western sector of the left bank of the river is the city center and the "old town" north of the center. Almost all the attractions and most of the tourist sector are found on this side of the river. On the right bank in the suburb of Prague no major attractions and very few tourists.
The old city was rebuilt from scratch since there remained only a pile of rubble after the Second World War. Restoration of commemorative structures, which were built between 1949 and 1963, was designed to restore the previous form of XVII-XVIII centuries. Each architectural piece, found in the ruins, has been used in the recovery process.

Zakopane is - resort city in southern Poland, situated at the northern foot of the Tatra Mountains at an altitude of 850 m above sea level. Located 100 km from the city on the border with Slovakia in the intermountain basin Podhale. Population - 27.4 million people (2006) - is mainly engaged in servicing tourists.
As a mountain, health and beauty resort of Zakopane develops in the second half of the 19th century. The local mountain air contributes to the treatment of tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, anemia and accelerates the flow of recovery.
Weather station Zakopane is known since 1870, and in 1899 to the resort was put on the railroad. Zakopane received city rights in 1933, and since then the city is the tourist center of the Polish Tatras.
Zakopane is considered one of the best Polish ski resorts, as well as the largest center of mountaineering and tourism, it is called the winter capital of Poland. Each year, the city is visited by about 2 million tourists, including many foreigners. The resort large sports history: in 1910, it hosted an international competition skiers, three times in Zakopane held world championships in classic forms of skiing (FIS), three times - Winter Universiade. Each year in January, on the slope of Krokve competitions of the World Cup in skiing.
In the neighborhood there are small villages, from which cable cars deliver tourists to the mountains. From Poronin - village, located in the north-east of Zakopane - beautiful views of the Tatra Mountains. In the village and in the immediate vicinity, there are 12 lifts. Village-Białka Tatrzańska lies 20 kilometers from Zakopane over the river Bialka, one of the most beautiful and cleanest rivers in the Tatras. The village is famous for its ski slopes, most of which are equipped with modern ski lifts, held lighting, and the slopes are covered if necessary with artificial snow. In Bukowina Tatrzańska (15 km from Zakopane) are a large number of ski slopes, ice rinks, there is a ski jump. Summer is also well developed tourist center. From the village of Murzasichle, lies just 6 km from Zakopane, boasts stunning views of the Polish and Slovak Tatras from here that most of the tourist mountain routes. There are six lifts.
In Zakopane six major ski areas at altitudes of 860-2000 m, which has different levels of difficulty. A total of 60 lifts in Zakopane, the total length of slopes greater than 65 km. Lift station connected by bus lines and buses.
The largest ski area Mt Kasprowy Wierch located in the Tatra National Park. To get to the top of the mountain can be commuter cable car or by chairlifts and drag lifts. This slope is a rather complex, like the northern slope of Mount Nosal, located in the southeast of the city. Easier slopes and located on Gubałówka, Glade, and Szymoszkowa Butorova-top. Beginners, tourists with children and lovers of quiet family skiing should pay attention to a lot of ski lifts are installed on private slopes directly in Zakopane - the uplands Antałówka, Kozinets, under Nosal Budzovskom on horseback, in Kościelisko, and many other places in the resort.

Opole - Poland charming town situated on the River Oder in the 85th km in the south-east of Wroclaw. Opole also known Oppeln in German. The population of the city of Opole is approximately 129 553 people.
Opole - Opole Voivodeship is the capital of Lower Silesia. Opole was occupied by the Germans years ago. According to legend, the first inhabitants of Opole lived on the island, known as Wyspa Pasieka, which is located in the center of the Oder River. In the Middle Ages - the capital of an independent principality. From this period, preserved the most valuable architectural monuments.
Opole already in VIII century Slavic settlement was important in the years 1201-1532 - the capital of Piast principalities, which in 1327 came under the power of the Czech Republic, and in 1532 - under the rule of Gasburgov. In 1740, the city took over the Prussians. Since that time, reinforced Germanization.
Opole is not only the capital of Polish songs, but also a city of cultural values, science, tourism and business. This is a small town, but charming, and its numerous canals and gardens give it a special charm. Residents are proud of Opole as the historical past of the city.
Interesting sights on the island Apiary is Piast Tower 13th century - the balance of the former castle, the Gothic Cathedral of St. Cross, the church and convent of the Franciscan Order from Piast Chapel - Piast mausoleum. City Hall is modeled after a Florentine PalazzoVecchio and baroque stone houses surrounding the market square in the old town. Amphitheater in Opole festival organized Polish songs. The area is a museum of the Opole Berkovitsa village. In Ethnographic Museum-Reserve moved house from the Opole region. The building of the former Jesuit college a museum Opole Silesia.
The name of the city - Opole - comes from the historical Polish word "Opole," which means the basic organizational unit of the tribe of the Slavs. According to another version it is assumed that the name of the town comes from the word "field." According to a legend - once the leader of a tribe became lost while hunting in the dense forest, and when, after a few days he finally ran into a settlement of the people, he cried: "Oh! Field ». And later ordered the construction of the city at this point.
Proud of his dating back to the IX century history Opole is among the most ancient cities of Poland. The first mention of the most important city opolyan (one of the Slavic tribes), located on the Oder River, located in the historical written sources of the second half of the IX century, "The Geography of Bavaria."
Opole base as the city was the signature, in 1217 Casimir I - grandson Boleslaw Krivoustogo - instrument in force act terrain. This document has been installed capital Opole Opole-Rachibozhskogo principality. By order of the Casimir I in 1283 on the island of apiary, which is the Oder River, the castle was built Piast - princely ancestral castle.
Opole location at the crossroads of major trade routes brought the city a sale.
After the death of the last ruler of the Piast dynasty Opole was annexed to Brandenburg, and later - to Prussia. Prussian rule contributed to the massive influx of settlers into the city from Germany, which accelerated the already rapidly evolving process of Germanization.
In 1751, the population of Opole was 1186 people. After the establishment of this center in 1816, the Regency town began to develop. Construction of the first railway line linking the cities Brzeg Opole and Wroclaw, was finished in 1843. Commissioned in 1859 cement plant gave rise to the development of the cement industry, which was a significant factor in its overall development.
After the partition of Silesia, Opole in 1922, together with the large area Upper Silesia were annexed to Germany. A March 24, 1945 the city was handed over to the Polish authorities, at the time there lived 200 permanent residents. During World War II, more than 900 buildings, most of the industry, as well as all the bridges in the city were destroyed, but the restoration of the city began immediately after the war. Opole became the capital of the province in 1950, and since then has been actively developing as a cultural, scientific and industrial center, the center of tourism and business.

The origins of the camp can be dated to early 1940, when the SS sent a commission to the Polish town of Oswiecim (German: Auschwitz) to determine whether a set of barracks that had been constructed outside the town during WW1, and that between the wars had been used by the Polish military, could be used as a concentration camp. Although the initial report was negative, a later inspection determined that the change of use would be possible after some construction works. Another commission, headed by SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Höß, visited Auschwitz on 18-19 April 1940. Höß' report seems to have carried the most weight, for on 27 April 1940 Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler ordered the establishment of a concentration camp in Auschwitz and on 4 May appointed Rudolf Höß as its commandant.