Touring Poland
One of the largest of the countries of former Eastern Europe, Poland was the first to liberate its government from forty five years of Communist domination. Since 1989, visitors from Western Europe have been amazed by the wonderful old towns, dramatic mountain scenery and diverse culture which the country has to offer.
Frederic Chopin is probably Poland's best-known musical export, but more recently Wieniawski, Szymanowski, Lutoslawski, and Penderecki have achieved worldwide acclaim. Poland is a country extremely proud of its musical heritage and visiting musicians are always made welcome.
Although Warsaw is the capital and certainly worth a visit, Krakow steals the show with its well-preserved
city centre and castle district. Close by, the Salt Mines at Wieliczka are impressive and a visit to
concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau should not be missed.
If you are planning a coach trip to Poland, then because of the distances involved we recommend that you
combine Poland with a stay in Germany.
Visiting Krakow
If you only chose to go to one place in Poland, then Krakow is the best place to stay. The aesthetic beauty of the city itself is unrivalled anywhere else in Poland and there are several excellent educational excursions and fun activities in the area which can occupy at least a few days.
Krakow's ubiquitous medieval architecture can be found throughout the walled Old Town. The city boasts the largest medieval town square in Europe (the Market Square), where you will find the old Cloth Hall, (which houses a captivating craft market) and the 14th Century Town Hall Tower. The beautiful 14th Century Church of Our Lady, located in the market place is famous for its ornate altarpiece by Wit Stowosz.
From the market place you can stroll along the attractive Royal Way to the Wawel Castle. Here the impressive Cathedral and Palace tower above the Vistula River, housing a valuable armoury and treasury.
At Wieliczka, (only 15 km from the centre of Krakow), are the famous salt mines, which are now a protected UNESCO site. The tour of the mines will take you on a two mile walk through chamber after chamber carved entirely from salt, deep under the ground. The star attraction is the Blessed Kinga's Chapel which is 50 metres long and complete with stairs, altar and chandeliers of salt. The chapel is used as a concert venue because of its excellent acoustics
Oswiecim, 54 km from Krakow, is where the concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau were located. A museum and films at Birkenau tell the terrible history of the Holocaust which is re-enforced by a visit to the camp itself which could hold 200,000 prisoners at any one time. Auschwitz now exists as a memorial to those murdered, with a moving display of ID photos and piles of clothing taken from those who were brought here to die. You will be given a guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau by an experienced guide
From Krakow, (or from Zakopane, shown below), it's possible to visit the dramatic Dunajec Gorge which can be found in the Pieninski National Park. A river-trip on a traditional highlander's raft is highly recommended.
Visiting Zakopane
Set in the scenic Tatras Mountains, a short stay in Zakopane can provide a relaxing alternative to a city-based tour. Although Zakopane is Poland's premier ski resort, it is also popular in the summer months, as it is an excellent access point for many beautiful mountain walks and drives. The buildings in the lively central street are predominantly built from wood. Here you will find a wonderful array of traditional restaurants, (where live music is commonplace) and shops selling local handicrafts and goods such as sheepskin and wool products.
Concert venues in Poland
- Outdoor Venues:
- Krakow Market Place
- Churches and Cathedrals:
- St Kate's Church in Krakow, Locwitz Cathedral, St Ann's University Church in Warsaw
- Other Indoor Venues:
- The Music School in Nova Huta, The State Academy of Performing Arts in Krakow, The Wieliczka Salt Mines
