Poland

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Poland is a country in Central Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea.

Its history dates back to the Iron Age and its lands were inhabited by Celtic, Germanic, Baltic and Slavic tribes.

From the 14th century, the kingdom experienced a golden age that lasted until the 17th century. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth became the largest country in Europe and one of the centers of the European Renaissance, as Italian architects, craftsmen and thinkers came to Poland-Lithuania to offer their work. This heritage is evident, especially in the architecture of Krakow.

Poland returned to the European map at the end of World War I, with a declaration of independence from the defeated German and Austro-Hungarian empires.

World War II officially began with an attack on Poland by Nazi Germany. Many of the most notorious war crimes of the conflict were committed in occupied Polish territory, with much of the Holocaust taking place within the country, as Poland had the largest Jewish population of any state in the world at over three million, 90% of whom were murdered by the Nazis. All six German Nazi extermination camps were located in Poland. of these Auschwitz is the best known.

In addition to Jews, Poles were heavily persecuted by the Nazis, with 2 to 3 million murdered during the occupation. Countless Polish citizens were arrested, tortured, placed in concentration camps and executed.

Most of the major cities have magnificent buildings, some of them world heritage sites. Many old districts were badly damaged by the bombings of the Second World War, but they were meticulously reconstructed while preserving their original form. Polish cities offer great historical attractions, while at the same time they have become modern, vibrant places that attract a large number of tourists.

The Polish countryside is equally beautiful, with many historic villages, castles, churches and other monuments. With 23 national parks across the country, natural attractions are everywhere.