Wanders The World

Wanders The World

Wander Diaries: Snapshots of Poland

—

I’ve returned from Europe! I visited a good friend in the Netherlands for a couple days and then made my way to Poland, in Central Europe. It was my first sojourn to this wonderful county — a destination that was not only fabulous to explore but one that I hope to revisit and wander further. I dubbed this my “Poland Sampler Trip” as I quickly realized Poland has much more to offer and that I only “sampled” it. I truly believe it is a country that can leave you enamoured: a nation with a thousand-year history, rich culture, modern conveniences, incredible food, and warm people with great resilience.

Syrenka Warszawska (The Mermaid of Warsaw) by the Vistula River

I will create some further posts about this trip down the line; however, here is a pictoral tour of my time in Poland. I began in Poznań, in the west of the country, and squeezed in a day-trip to historic Toruń. I then made my way southwest to Wrocław, followed by time in the nation’s second largest city Kraków. Afterward, I headed to Warsaw to wander the captial city’s streets and sights.

Poznań

Located in the west of Poland (just over 2 hours via train from Berlin), Poznań is city of over 500,000 with a lovely old town centre. The city is in the region of where Poland was founded in 1253 CE. My time was mostly spent in the Old Town and I was immediately taken with it. Poznań is one of the places in the world that I feel an extra-special fondness for – no other reason than that it evoked a sense of beauty and wonder for me.

Colourful Merchant Houses in the Old Market Square
Poznań Town Hall lit up at night
Archway in the Old Market Square
Poznań billy goats – the city’s symbol
Poznań Fara Basilica

Toruń (Day Trip)

Toruń is found in north-central Poland and is one of the oldest cities in Poland. It has the recognition of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, who showed that the earth revolves around the sun. It is also known for its long-history of gingerbread. Toruń is one of the cities that was not destroyed in WW II.

The Figurine of Filuś is waiting for his master
This museum, The House of Nicolaus Copernicus, is his birthplace
Nicolas Copernicus statue in the Medieval Old Town

Wrocław

In the southwest of Poland, Wrocław has had a long and varied history with settlements dating back to the 6th century. Today it is Poland’s third largest city with a large student population due to the University of Wrocław that has produced a number of Nobel Prize winners. The city is also known for its large number of “krasnale” (dwarf or gnome) statues scattered about.

Wrocław Old Town
Wrocław Old Town Hall
View of Cathedral Island from across the Oder River
Wrocław’s famous gnomes
Wrocław’s famous gnomes
Wrocław’s famous gnomes
University of Wrocław Aula Leopoldina
University of Wrocław Oratorium Marianum

Kraków

Poland’s second largest city and likely the most visited, Kraków, is a wonderful place to visit. This former capital city is a great location to use as a base to see the areas around the city and further south. The original Old Town was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is the largest square in Europe. It’s buildings are all orginal as it was spared destruction during WW II. The Kazimierez (Jewish Quarter) neighbourhood is a haven for foodies as it has an abundance of delicious food options – seriously I could just eat my way through that area.

Wawel Castle
Arches of Cloth Hall Market
Cloth Hall Market
Eros Bendato (also called “The Head”)
Interior square of Jagiellonian University Museum
Grounds of Wawel Castle
Along the Vistula River

Kraków Day Trips

Wieliczka Salt Mine

An incredible network of tunnels that show the history of the this salt mine through the centuries, it transports you back in time. Also on the original UNESCO World Heritage Site list, this museum shows off its history with carved salt statues, a functioning church, event spaces, and more. It was is a unique musuem for certain.

Statues carved from salt
The church inside the mine.
The first UNESCO Heritage World Site list
Auschwitz-birkenau museum

A somber yet important place to visit, Auschwitz-Birkenau is a museum located on the grounds of the former World War II Nazi German concentration camp. The musuem can be tough to see yet is a reminder of the horrors of war and genocide in which nobody wins.

Information signs at Auschwitz Birkenau
Grounds of Auschwitz
Gate of Death at Auschwitz Birkenau

Warsaw

Warsaw! The capital and most populous city in Poland. I thoroughly enjoyed wandering about Warsaw, be it by foot or public transport. It’s Old Town was perfect for meandering, as I took in many of the shops and sights. Fully rebuilt after being completely destroyed during in WW II, it too is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I learned of Polish Vodka in the Old Praga neighbourhood, took in incredible views from atop various buildings, discovered the strength of the Polish people at the Warsaw Rising Museum, and enjoyed an evening of Chopin’s music by candlelight.

The Warsaw Barbican
Warsaw’s skyline from the tower of St Anne’s Church
Warsaw’s Old Town from the Bell Tower of St Anne’s Church
The Royal Castle which is now a museum
Old Town Market Square’s Mermaid of
Warsaw, the symbol of the city
“I ❤ Warsaw” (Polish) letters
Warsaw Uprising Monument
Modern Warsaw
The grand Palace of Culture and Science
Met these musicans in the Old Praga neighbourhood

That is my trip in a snapshot! Is Poland a place you have considered for a trip? Have you been there yourself? Please, leave a comment. And stay tuned for more posts on this wonderful country and this beautiful world of ours!

All photos taken and owned by Eeva Valiharju / Wanders the World

3 responses to “Wander Diaries: Snapshots of Poland”

  1. Food I Loved in Poland – Wanders The World Avatar
    Food I Loved in Poland – Wanders The World

    […] still reminisce about Poland and all the flavourful and varied dishes I tried stuffed my face with! Poland’s food scene […]

    Like

    Reply
  2. Where I Wandered and What’s Next – Wanders The World Avatar
    Where I Wandered and What’s Next – Wanders The World

    […] my previous travels to both the Netherlands and Poland, I wandered west, back to Asia. In September I revisited Singapore after eight years and then made […]

    Like

    Reply
  3. Wander Diaries: Friendships & Dutch Moments – Wanders The World Avatar
    Wander Diaries: Friendships & Dutch Moments – Wanders The World

    […] previous post, Snapshots of Poland, was the second part of my spring trip to Europe. The first part was a brief, albeit wonderful […]

    Like

    Reply

Leave a note from your corner of the world — I’d love to hear it

● About Me

Hi, I’m Eeva and I’m in love with the world. Follow along as I share snippets of my wanderings, places I’m intrigued by, and a bit of the city I call home, Vancouver.

● Recent Articles