Poland is one of the oldest countries in Europe, its roots go back to ancient times, and its history goes back more than three thousand years. It is not surprising that its lands still retain the imprint of bygone times: ancient structures and buildings, ancient monuments and castles. Poland combines incompatible things: the modern benefits of civilization and the memory of its people, and at the same time manages to keep up with the times. All Polish cities remember and keep memories of their history, each of which is special.
Cities of Poland
Each of them is beautiful and unique, filled with a unique atmosphere thanks to the cobbled streets, squares, parks and museums, untouched nature, the medieval spirit that lives in the architecture of the houses. Many of the buildings have been preserved in their original form, something was destroyed by time and wars, restored buildings appeared in their place. The number of cities at the moment is 915. Of these, the largest are Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Szczecin, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk. Polish cities are the main advantage of the country, some of them are under the protection of UNESCO as cultural heritage. Many of themfamous for their secrets and unique traditions. The city of Zakopane, for example, is famous for its proximity to the mountains, clean air, spaciousness and magnificence of landscapes. In Elblag, those who wish can admire the huge port, Sosnowiec is famous for the lack of industry within the city, keeping cultural monuments intact, Mikolajki is suitable for outdoor enthusiasts.
Krakow is the oldest city
It is considered the oldest city in the country, is the second largest, but not the most important. It was once the capital of Poland for several centuries until in 1596, with a change of power, the center moved to Warsaw, the city that is the capital of the country to this day.
Krakow is the first Polish city that was built on the territory of the country, today it plays the role of the main trading point. There are many antique shops on its streets; on the shelves of the markets, the works of local skilled artisans and craftsmen are laid out for sale. But the trade does not stop there either, numerous shopaholics constantly come to the city in order to buy in fashionable boutiques of branded clothes and accessories.
Krakow is a center of cultural enrichment, exquisite entertainment, historical treasures with hundreds of monuments and places where you can hide from the bustle of the world and feel the spirit of history.
Center of the country - Warsaw
The city practically rose from the ashes after the events of the Second World War, but this did not stop him from leaving behindreputation as one of the most popular places in Poland. Not all the buildings that have been restored have been preserved in their original form, but nevertheless, walking around the city, you will feel that the spirit of history and time is still present in it. Along with exquisite architecture, modernity, which the capital is famous for, fits into the general atmosphere. Today Warsaw is called the city of youth. The rest of the Polish cities cannot boast of such glory, and in the meantime, students come to Warsaw to study, music constantly plays on the streets, clubs, bars and discos work all night long. A lot of street artists huddle in the squares, ready at any moment to draw you against the backdrop of the main sights of the city, such as the Royal Castle, the column to King Sigismund, the Church of the Holy Cross, the Palace on the Water, cathedrals, the Warsaw Citadel.
City of the North – Gdansk
The Polish city in the delta of the Vistula, the longest river in the country, is the scientific and cultural center of the country. A large number of tourists come there to see and enjoy the developed areas of science, culture and art with their own eyes. The port city was built and raised by sea trade, the we alth arriving by water from other countries allowed it to develop in all directions, practically living in luxury.
Today, the industrial, shipbuilding, food and petrochemical industries are actively developing in the city. Residents of Gdansk are engaged in a rather rare activity - processing amber, namelytherefore, it proudly bears the title of world amber capital. Other Polish cities simply do not have such knowledge. Despite the active industry, which, it would seem, should pollute the environment, the city is trying to maintain a balance and is very careful in protecting the environment from harmful effects.
Forgotten Cities of Poland
Approximately in the middle of the 16th century, the Kingdom of Poland united with the Principality of Lithuania and formed a federation called the Commonwe alth, which literally translates as "common cause". Through numerous battles and conquests, the federation grew in territory, capturing cities and occupying parts of other countries: Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Slovakia. During the turmoil in Russia, the Commonwe alth set its sights on Smolensk, and within five years the city passed into the possession of the new state. It took Russia almost half a century to return the seized lands, during which time the city managed to imbue the Polish culture, its inhabitants got used to the fact that Smolensk is a Polish city, for which they were persecuted by threats and exiles to Siberia.
The myth of the Polish city
There is a city whose name may mislead some people. Of course, we are talking about the city of Yuryev-Polsky, in the name of which there is a clear reference to Poland. However, this is a common misconception. It was never part of the Polish cities, although it was attacked and burned by the Poles in the 17th century, and got its name thanks to its founder, Yuri Dolgoruky. the secondpart of the name was invented in order to specify the location of the city. In the Suzdal language, the word "opolye" meant a field, a place by which the location of the city was determined and distinguished from others that had a similar name: Yuryev, Yuryev-Povolsky and others. The city is located in the Vladimir region and keeps on its territory architectural monuments that have been preserved since its founding: St. George's Cathedral, the remains of the Yuryevo-Polsky Kremlin and others.
