Gdansk, Gnomes and Stained Glass - we're going to tell you why Poland is Great!
|
|
Like many cities in Poland, Gdansk has a varied and complicated history. For hundreds of years, Gdansk bounced between Polish and German rule. After heavy air raids in WWII, much of the city was destroyed, so in the 50s and 60s the city was rebuilt in a traditional Polish style and is now known for the many colourful facades of the Long Market, now home to shops and restaurants.
|
|
|
|
Nearby is the Neptune Fountain, a 17th-century symbol of the city, topped by a bronze statue of the sea god, a nod to the huge trading port this city was, and is today, located on the Northern Baltic Coast of Poland!
|
|
|
Do you want to join us exploring the beautiful streets of Gdansk?
|
|
Wrocław’s gnomes, are probably the most popular symbol of this Polish city. If you look around with a keen eye, you will find them everywhere... in the most unexpected places! There are over 350 gnomes spread all around Wroclaw, and they all have names and even occupations!
How did this begin? The Gnome was a symbol of the Polish anti-communist movement, that took place in 1980's. In 2001 the very first monument of a gnome was officially placed on Świdnicka Street, where the group’s happenings used to take place.
|
|
|
|
Then, the mayor of Wrocław, in an attempt to continue the new tradition, unveiled a small plaque on the door of The Gnomes Museum. The figures of the dwarves were placed in different parts of the city. The first five were designed by the artist Tomasz Moczek and since then, their numbers have been continually growing.
|
|
|
Today you can go "Hunting for gnomes" in Wrocław, armed with a special brochures and a map with an app!
Who wants to join us to go Gnome hunting?!
|
|
St. Mary’s Basilica is one of the most important churches in the ancient city of Krakow, and it is truly a masterpiece!
Located in the heart of Krakow’s old town, right on Rynek Główny (Market Square), its impressive structure is truly eye catching. Built in the 14th century, its foundations date back to the early 13th century, and serve as one of the best examples of Polish Gothic architecture.
Standing 80 m (262 ft) tall, it is particularly famous for its wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz), who spent 12 years of his life working on it.
|
|
|
|
Some of its monumental , colourful murals were designed by Poland's leading history painter, Jan Matejko, and all illuminated by the colorful light coming through 14th century stained-glass windows, only three of which have been preserved and saved from the original medieval stained glass.
|
|
|
In 1978, the Basilkica became a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Historic Centre of Kraków.
Do you want to visit this beautiful cathedral with us?
|
|
Explore the fascinating secrets of this country on our Poland Tours:
|
|
|
14 days | Warsaw - Gdansk - Wroclaw - Zakopane - Krakow
Discover Poland with us on this 14 day tour, and explore this unassuming corner of Europe, waiting to welcome you with open arms!
|
|
15 days | Krakow - Sanok - Przemysl - Lviv - Kyiv
Ukraine and Poland are two countries with depths of history between them, dating back centuries. With rich cultures and stunning settings, we can’t wait to show you their highlights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
