{"id":184717,"date":"2020-07-12T11:13:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-12T08:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/"},"modified":"2020-07-12T11:13:00","modified_gmt":"2020-07-12T08:13:00","slug":"what-is-poland-famous-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/","title":{"rendered":"#What is Poland famous for?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2a978eb3fbd\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2a978eb3fbd\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#17_Things_Poland_is_famous_for\" >17 Things Poland is famous for<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Religion\" >Religion\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Pierogi\" >Pierogi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Auschwitz_%E2%80%93_Birkenau_State_Museum\" >Auschwitz \u2013 Birkenau State Museum\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Pope_John_Paul_II\" >Pope John Paul II\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Solidarnosc_%E2%80%93_The_solidarity_movement\" >Solidarno\u015b\u0107 \u2013 The solidarity movement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Palace_of_Culture_and_Science\" >Palace of Culture and Science\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Vodka\" >Vodka\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#History_history_history\" >History, history, history\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Krakow\" >Krak\u00f3w\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Geographic_diversity\" >Geographic diversity\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#A_very_complicated_language\" >A very complicated language\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Ski_Jumping\" >Ski Jumping\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Amber\" >Amber\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Polish_Cinema\" >Polish Cinema\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Bar_Mleczny\" >Bar Mleczny<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Salt_Mines\" >Salt Mines\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/#Polonia_%E2%80%93_The_Polish_diaspora\" >Polonia \u2013 The Polish diaspora<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#What is Poland famous for?<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\" itemprop=\"text\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">For Poland\u2019s episode on the famous things across the globe, we asked our friend and blogger Duarte Magalh\u00e3es (who lives and works in Poland) to explain \u201c<em><strong>What is Poland famous for<\/strong><\/em><strong><em>?<\/em><\/strong> This is his very interesting response!<\/p>\n<p>Situated in Central Europe \u2013 NOT Eastern Europe, Warsaw Pact be damned \u2013, uncomfortably stuck between two butting global powers (Germany and Russia) but also on the historical crossroads of trade and cultural exchanges between people from all corners of the continent, Poland\u2019s location has been as much a source of suffering as a blessing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Because if outsiders have brought destruction and misery in spades to the Land on the Vistula, they have also contributed immensely to the country\u2019s richness in traditions and heritage, worthy of one of the largest nations in Europe.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Poland is the native land of John Paul II. It is here that drinking is (also) a religion, and <em>that<\/em> infamous town rose to prominence for the most ignominious of reasons. You know all that, but for what else is this state of 38.5M people famous for?\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Wroclaw-Ostrow-Tumski.jpg\" alt=\"What is Poland known for?\" class=\"wp-image-18986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Wroclaw-Ostrow-Tumski.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Wroclaw-Ostrow-Tumski-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Wroclaw-Ostrow-Tumski-768x431.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Wroclaw-Ostrow-Tumski.jpg\" alt=\"What is Poland known for?\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Wroclaw-Ostrow-Tumski.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Wroclaw-Ostrow-Tumski-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Wroclaw-Ostrow-Tumski-768x431.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Ostrow Tumski is the oldest part of the city of Wroclaw, Poland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"17_Things_Poland_is_famous_for\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"17_Things_Poland_is_famous_for\"><\/span>17 Things Poland is famous for<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Religion\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Religion\"><\/span>Religion\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>With up to 90% of the population identifying as Christians, and a proportion of Catholics only rivaled by Italy amongst European nations, religious faith and the Church have played a big part in the history of Poland, on occasions even as a stronghold of Polish national identity. And while the majority of believers isn\u2019t exactly glued to Catholic TV or religious radio stations at all times, one doesn\u2019t need to look further than routinely packed mass celebrations or the rigorous adherence to ceremonial customs on Easter, Christmas, All Saints Day (November 1st) or Corpus Christi (June) to realize the religious fervor is real.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Naturally, a staggering amount of holy places follows suit, with the Jasna G\u00f3ra Monastery, in Cz\u0119stochowa, home to the Black Madonna painting \u2013 a shrine to the Virgin Mary \u2013 standing out as a place of pilgrimage though the country is also well known for the tallest statue of Jesus Christ in the world, the 33-meters high Pomnik Chrystusa Kr\u00f3la (Christ the King), situated in \u015awiebodzin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pierogi\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pierogi\"><\/span>Pierogi<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Legends abound regarding the origin of pierogies and how it ended up as a staple of most cuisines in this part of Europe. Yet, no questions remain that the popular semi-circular dumplings are Poland\u2019s most recognized dish and their preparation a favorite family pastime dating back hundreds of years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Stuffed with savory or sweet fillings, these pieces of dough (a simple mixture of flour and warm water) are boiled in salty water (though pan-fried and baked versions are also found) and topped with fried onion or sour cream. They are served as a starter, main dish, or dessert in every kind of celebration.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The most traditional variety is the pierogi ruskie, filled with potato and cottage cheese, but you will never fall short of excuses, different recipes, or locations. Just look for the closest <em>Pierogarnia<\/em> \u2013 to try them on. <em>Smacznego!\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/freshly-made-pierogi-Poland.jpg\" alt=\"What Is Poland Famous For?\" class=\"wp-image-18974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/freshly-made-pierogi-Poland.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/freshly-made-pierogi-Poland-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/freshly-made-pierogi-Poland-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/freshly-made-pierogi-Poland.jpg\" alt=\"What Is Poland Famous For?\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/freshly-made-pierogi-Poland.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/freshly-made-pierogi-Poland-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/freshly-made-pierogi-Poland-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Freshly made pierogi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Auschwitz_%E2%80%93_Birkenau_State_Museum\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Auschwitz_%E2%80%93_Birkenau_State_Museum\"><\/span>Auschwitz \u2013 Birkenau State Museum\u00a0\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Visited by more than 2 million people every year, the former Nazi Concentration \u2013 Extermination camp located in the vicinity of O\u015bwi\u0119cim (Auschwitz) has become the primal symbol of the Holocaust\u2019s indescribable horror.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As the largest and most efficient German concentration camp, where at least 1.1 million persons, mostly Jews, perished during World War II, this is a place brimming with memories of suffering and imprisonment, symbolized on the millions of historical artifacts displayed in the brick barracks of Auschwitz I, the first camp to receive prisoners in 1940, or the haunting sight of Camp Auschwitz II \u2013 Birkenau entrance gate, where millions reached the end of the line from 1942.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Liberated on the 27<sup>th<\/sup> January 1945 by the Red Army, this date is now commemorated worldwide as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, in memory of the victims of the most systematic genocide in human history.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pope_John_Paul_II\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pope_John_Paul_II\"><\/span>Pope John Paul II\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Born in the Southwestern city of Wadowice in 1920, Karol J\u00f3zef Wojty\u0142a would become the Archbishop of Krakow before ascending to head of the Catholic Church in 1978 as John Paul II, the first non-Italian Pope since the 16<sup>th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n<p>Esteemed for his many pilgrimages and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a>s, instigation of the massively-attended World Youth Days, proficiency in the dialogue with other religions and willingness to discuss taboo topics \u2013 such as sexuality \u2013 in spite of its conservative stances, Wojty\u0142a survived two attempted assassinations to serve the second-longest pontificate in history until his death in April 2<sup>nd<\/sup>, 2005.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Regarded by many as the most popular Pope in history, John Paul II never turned an eye away from his homeland \u2013 his power and reach were a true beacon of hope during Communist times. And, never more than during his first return, in June 1979, when his calls for unity lit a flame amongst his compatriots, sparking the political and societal convulsions that would lead to the demise of the regime.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/John-Paul-II-Monument-at-Wawel.jpg\" alt=\"Things Poland known for\" class=\"wp-image-18976\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/John-Paul-II-Monument-at-Wawel.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/John-Paul-II-Monument-at-Wawel-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/John-Paul-II-Monument-at-Wawel-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/John-Paul-II-Monument-at-Wawel.jpg\" alt=\"Things Poland known for\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18976\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/John-Paul-II-Monument-at-Wawel.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/John-Paul-II-Monument-at-Wawel-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/John-Paul-II-Monument-at-Wawel-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Pope John Paul II Monument in Wawel Castle, Krakow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Solidarnosc_%E2%80%93_The_solidarity_movement\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Solidarnosc_%E2%80%93_The_solidarity_movement\"><\/span>Solidarno\u015b\u0107 \u2013 The solidarity movement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Founded in August 1980 by workers of the Gda\u0144sk Shipyard, Solidarno\u015b\u0107, or the \u201cSolidarity\u201d movement, was the first independent union recognized in a country of the Warsaw Pact and an early sign of weakness in the communist-ruled Eastern bloc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Led by the charismatic Lech Wa\u0142\u0119sa and rapidly gaining traction around Poland with the support of multiple inter-factory workers committees, Solidarno\u015b\u0107\u2019s stunning rise into the biggest grassroots civil movement in Europe, with up to 10 million members at its peak, resulted in the imposition of martial law in Poland between December 1981 and July 1983. However, the attempts to fracture the organization throughout the 1980s would prove unsuccessful, with the massive strikes of 1988 forcing the government into accepting roundtable talks with the Solidarity-led opposition and, eventually, the first partly-free elections in a Soviet-backed state.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Solidarity\u2019s resounding electoral victory effectively marked the peaceful end of Poland\u2019s Communist rule in the summer of 1989, and the ripple effects were soon felt throughout the continent, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, similarly non-violent regime changes in countries like Hungary, East Germany or Czechoslovakia, and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Solidarity\u2019s political relevance has declined significantly since the early \u201990s, but the legacy of the movement is commemorated at the European Solidarity Center, opened in 2014 in Gda\u0144sk.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Replica-Gdansk-Shipyard-enttrance.jpg\" alt=\"Interesting things about Poland\" class=\"wp-image-18960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Replica-Gdansk-Shipyard-enttrance.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Replica-Gdansk-Shipyard-enttrance-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Replica-Gdansk-Shipyard-enttrance-768x462.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Replica-Gdansk-Shipyard-enttrance.jpg\" alt=\"Interesting things about Poland\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Replica-Gdansk-Shipyard-enttrance.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Replica-Gdansk-Shipyard-enttrance-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Replica-Gdansk-Shipyard-enttrance-768x462.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Reproduction of the iconic Gda\u0144sk Shipyard entrance gate at the European Solidarity Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Palace_of_Culture_and_Science\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Palace_of_Culture_and_Science\"><\/span>Palace of Culture and Science\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The inescapable landmark of Warsaw and the main relic from Communist rule, this towering, 237 meters high colossus of rock dominates the Polish capital\u2019s skyline day and night.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Built by 3500 Soviet workmen as a \u201cgift to the Poles\u201d from Joseph Stalin, the PKiN (<em>Pa\u0142ac Kultury i Nauki),<\/em> with its impressive blend of ruthless <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social<\/a>ist realism, art deco architecture and Polish renaissance elements,<em> <\/em>is a wildly contorversial symbol of the renaissance from the rubble of the post-WWII.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Both hated for its historical significance \u2013 many wouldn\u2019t mind seeing it tore down \u2013 and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>reciated for the sumptuous facade and luxurious interiors, the Palace was erected with public use in mind and has been serving as the city\u2019s major cultural hub for decades. More than 3200 rooms adorn its 42 floors, and in 123.000 m2 fit such diverse entities as cinemas, a casino, a sports complex, a nightclub, universities, theaters, a dozen bars, two museums, countless offices and an auditorium hall for 3000 people.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Pkin-day.jpg\" alt=\"famous things about Poland\" class=\"wp-image-18944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Pkin-day.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Pkin-day-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Pkin-day-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Pkin-day.jpg\" alt=\"famous things about Poland\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Pkin-day.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Pkin-day-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Pkin-day-768x576.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Palace of Culture and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science<\/a>\u00a0in Warsaw<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vodka\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vodka\"><\/span>Vodka\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A popular drink across North and Eastern Europe, the first written mention of the word vodka (or w\u00f3dka) seems to date back to 1405, in court documents from Sandomierz, in Southeast Poland. Meaning \u201clittle water\u201d, the crystalline liquid evolved over the centuries, despite strong competition from beer, into the quintessential Polish beverage, unavoidable in every social gathering or festive occasion and preferably consumed neat, chilled and in one gulp.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Traditionally a medicinal spirit, distilled from potatoes or cereal grains like rye and wheat that have been fermented, vodka\u2019s high alcohol content \u2013 usually above 37.5% ABV \u2013 means that while challenging locals for a drinking competition is not wise, don\u2019t abstain from indulging on the multitude of blends and tastes available, from the sweet to the extra dry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The fruit-flavored, colorful Soplica is a best seller domestically, while famous brands like Wyborowa, Sobieski, or Krupnik populate liquor stores around the world. However, the 600-year-old \u017bubr\u00f3wka is uniquely distinctive as every bottle contains a bison grass leaf sourced from Bia\u0142owie\u017ca Forest. Nevertheless, regardless of your choice, you just cannot go wrong, so\u2026<em>Na zdrowie.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_history_history\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History,_history,_history\"><\/span>History, history, history\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Polish state first came into fruition in the late 10<sup>th<\/sup> century, and it has been a wild ride since then for a nation defined by its convoluted past like few others around the World. Many have learned about the harrowing ordeals of World War II, from the millions of deaths to the near obliteration of Warsaw. Yet, such episodes comprise just a tiny fraction of Polish history. They are the last of more than 40 instances of invasions and insurrections that have shaped Poland\u2019s borders, cities, population mix, and identity through the centuries.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A thriving empire that stretched well into Eastern Europe, and from the Baltic to the Black Sea during its heyday under the Jagiellonian dynasty as the political, ethnic and religiously progressive Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth \u2013 home to the second written constitution in the World (1791) \u2013 Poland would be completely wiped from the maps in 1795, its territory partitioned by Russia, Prussia and Austria for more than a century until an independent republic finally rose from the ashes of WWI in 1918.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Modern Poland may be barely one century old yet its people have staved off multiple attempts to suppress Polish culture and language through conflicts that determined waves of mass exiles and deportations, or lent reason to myriads of underground movements and uprisings \u2013 like the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Never willing to surrender or submit to oppression, Poland reflects on the past and celebrates its history of resilience proudly, with no shortage of gripping monuments, memorials, or museums dedicated to it across the country.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Warsaw-Old-Town.jpg\" alt=\"famous poland\" class=\"wp-image-18951\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Warsaw-Old-Town.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Warsaw-Old-Town-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Warsaw-Old-Town-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Warsaw-Old-Town.jpg\" alt=\"famous poland\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18951\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Warsaw-Old-Town.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Warsaw-Old-Town-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Warsaw-Old-Town-768x576.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Warsaw Old Town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Krakow\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Krakow\"><\/span>Krak\u00f3w\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the likes of Gda\u0144sk, on the shores of the Baltic Sea, the former Teutonic Order bastions of Toru\u0144 and Elbl\u0105g, or the German-influenced Wroc\u0142aw and Pozna\u0144, Poland is certainly not lacking splendid illustrations of its middle age grandeur. Still, arguably, no other place can put it all together quite like Krak\u00f3w. The country\u2019s second city is synonymous with the largest medieval market square in Europe<em>, Rynek G\u0142\u00f3wny<\/em>, and the stunning Old Town (<em>Stare Miasto<\/em>) that was included on the first list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1978).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Situated on the banks of the Vistula River, Krak\u00f3w\u2019s golden age as a member of the Hanseatic League and one of Europe\u2019s leading trade, scientific and art centers would come to an end in 1596 when the royal family\u2019s seat moved from Wawel Castle to Warsaw, but thousands of artworks and all the significant landmarks survived the passage of time, including the worst destruction of World War II.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Overflowing with Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque architecture in the Old Town, along the famed Royal Road or in the former Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, the timeless beauty of Krak\u00f3w has grown hand-in-hand with the oldest University in the country, Jagiellonian University, whose vibrant academic community adds to the city\u2019s aura as Poland\u2019s premium travel destination.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"654\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Rynek-Krakow.jpg\" alt=\"What is Poland best known for\" class=\"wp-image-18945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Rynek-Krakow.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Rynek-Krakow-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Rynek-Krakow-768x491.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"654\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Rynek-Krakow.jpg\" alt=\"What is Poland best known for\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Rynek-Krakow.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Rynek-Krakow-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Rynek-Krakow-768x491.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Largest medieval market square in Europe \u2013 Rynek <em>G\u0142\u00f3wny<\/em> in Krak\u00f3w<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geographic_diversity\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geographic_diversity\"><\/span>Geographic diversity\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Long acknowledged for its intriguing (and affordable) cocktail of history, quaint medieval towns, and enchanted castles, Poland is increasingly getting noticed because of its impressive array of landscapes and natural attractions that also captivate adventurers, hikers, or beachgoers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Covering 30% of the territory, Poland is a land of forests and national parks, including Bia\u0142owie\u017ca, Europe\u2019s last ancient forest and home to 800 free-roaming European bisons, but also a water paradise, boasting one of Europe\u2019s great lake districts, formed by the more than 2000 bodies of water located in the Northeastern Masurian region.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A nation built on waterways, with the Oder and the iconic Wis\u0142a (Vistula) river crisscrossing northward through the North European plain, Poland is, at the same time, a country of highlanders and mountains as the place where the Carpathian range reaches some of its highest elevations, with the Tatras looming over the picturesque Zakopane village and the stunning Morskie Oko Lake.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, up north, the Baltic Coast is loaded with lagoons, cliffs, sandy beaches, popular seaside resorts and even walking dunes at the Biosphere reserve of S\u0142owi\u0144ski National Park, whereas human activity granted the country with the only desert in Central Europe, B\u0142\u0119d\u00f3w (Pustynia B\u0142\u0119dowska).<\/p>\n<p>Poland\u2019s scenery is distinctive, contrasting, and still mostly untamed. What more could you ask for?\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Morskie-Oko.jpg\" alt=\"Things you should know about Poland\" class=\"wp-image-18946\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Morskie-Oko.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Morskie-Oko-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Morskie-Oko-768x431.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Morskie-Oko.jpg\" alt=\"Things you should know about Poland\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18946\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Morskie-Oko.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Morskie-Oko-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Morskie-Oko-768x431.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Lake Morskie Oko in Tatra National Park in Poland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_very_complicated_language\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_very_complicated_language\"><\/span>A very complicated language\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Widely regarded as one of the most intimidating European languages, Polish is the mother tongue of the most linguistic homogenous country in Europe, with 97% of the Polish population plus the members of the diaspora adding up to some 50M native and second language speakers worldwide.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Categorized as a West-Slavic language (alongside the Czech and Slovak), the Polish uses a spiced-up Latin alphabet that features a whopping 32 letters, including 9 diacritics (<em>\u0105<\/em>, <em>\u0107<\/em>, <em>\u0119<\/em>, <em>\u0142<\/em>, <em>\u0144<\/em>, <em>\u00f3<\/em>, <em>\u015b<\/em>, <em>\u017a<\/em>, <em>\u017c)<\/em>, and abundant use of specific diagraphs (pairs of letters that represent specific sounds such as rz, cz, sz, dz) to challenge the most determined of prospective learners.<\/p>\n<p>Actually, any cursory look at a Polish text reveals a disproportionate abundance of the letter Z (or \u017a, \u017c) and so many consonant clusters (four or five successive non-vowels are frequent) that would twist the most articulate of tongues, yet it is the highly inflected character of the language that claims the most victims.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With seven case endings for nouns and adjectives, complicated word declination according to gender, number and case, and recurrent disregard for the SVO (subject-verb-object) order in sentences, Polish plays the part alongside fellow headscratchers like Hungarian and Finnish.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Still, if you are up for an introduction, open a map and try to pronounce the names of Polish cities. How did you do with <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/translate.google.com\/#view=home&amp;op=translate&amp;sl=pl&amp;tl=en&amp;text=Szczecin%0ABydgoszcz%0APrzemys%C5%82%0ARzesz%C3%B3w%0A%C5%81%C3%B3d%C5%BA\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\">Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, Przemy\u015bl, Rzesz\u00f3w, and, my favorite, \u0141\u00f3d\u017a?<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ski_Jumping\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ski_Jumping\"><\/span>Ski Jumping\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p>The Norwegians invented the sport and developed the telemark landing technique, but the Poles have taken responsibility for perfecting the art of throwing a proper ski jumping party. At least since the sport\u2019s national fever exploded in the early 2000s, the exploits of Adam Ma\u0142ysz kicking off the prominent visions of large swaths of flag-waving, red-and-white clad fans flocking into competition venues across Europe.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And when the annual World Cup festivities make a stop for November\u2019s season opener in Wis\u0142a, or Zakopane\u2019s turn in late January, thousands upon thousands converge on these small mountain villages to cheer on Olympic Champion Kamil Stoch, World Champion Dawid Kubacki and all the other spandex-wearing stars flying through the air on nothing but a skinny pair of skis.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"890\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wisla-Ski-Jumping.jpg\" alt=\"famous things about Poland\" class=\"wp-image-18947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wisla-Ski-Jumping.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wisla-Ski-Jumping-169x300.jpg 169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"890\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wisla-Ski-Jumping.jpg\" alt=\"famous things about Poland\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wisla-Ski-Jumping.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wisla-Ski-Jumping-169x300.jpg 169w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\"><figcaption>Ski Jumping Hill in Wis\u0142a Poland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Amber\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Amber\"><\/span>Amber\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Poland is one of the world\u2019s biggest exporters of amber products, and it can all be traced back to the northern reserves of Baltic amber (or succinite), generated some 44 million years ago from fossilized tree resin of coniferous forests. Mined or washing up in the beaches of the Baltic coast, its quality and value earned the moniker \u201cBaltic Gold\u201d and leveraged the development of an industry of decorative products that takes advantage of amber\u2019s stunning range of colors, translucency, and shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Over the centuries the renowned Gda\u0144sk craftsmen have shaped amber stones into gems, daily accessories, furniture or unique pieces of jewelry, contributing decisively to the city\u2019s wealth in medieval times, and this tradition lives today in the multitude of galleries, workshops, and stores that populate Gda\u0144sk\u2019s Old Town, namely the bustling Mariacka street.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Gdansk-Town-Hall.jpg\" alt=\"What to know about Poland\" class=\"wp-image-18952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Gdansk-Town-Hall.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Gdansk-Town-Hall-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Gdansk-Town-Hall-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Gdansk-Town-Hall.jpg\" alt=\"What to know about Poland\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Gdansk-Town-Hall.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Gdansk-Town-Hall-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Gdansk-Town-Hall-768x576.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>The town of Gdansk is the centre of amber handicraft in Poland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Polish_Cinema\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Polish_Cinema\"><\/span>Polish Cinema\u00a0\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Polish filmmaking has been critically acclaimed worldwide for decades, in particular since the foundation of the National Film School in \u0141\u00f3d\u017a in 1948, where after WWII, and with a strong backing of a Communist regime looking for a propaganda tool, many of the country\u2019s movie personalities studied.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>One such example would be Roman Polanski, the French-Polish director of the Palme D\u2019Or winning movie <em>The Pianist (2002), who <\/em>achieved unmatched status in Hollywood. The likes of Andrzej Wajda, with his poignant portraits of Poland\u2019s changing social and political circumstances and the population\u2019s emotional struggles in Ashes and Diamonds (1958), <em>The Promised Land<\/em> (1975) or <em>Man of Iron (1981)<\/em>, Krzysztof Kieslowski, who authored the Three Colours Trilogy (1993-1994) or Agnieszka Holland, the actress turned director of \u201cIn Darkness\u201d (2011), also contributed decisively to a storied tradition that leads straight into last decade\u2019s international praise.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Expressed on the Oscar accolades for Ida (Best Foreign Language Film in 2014) and Cold War (2018), both directed by the Oxford-educated Pawe\u0142 Pawlikowski, as well as Jan Komasa\u2019s religious drama Corpus Christi (2019), the new guard of Polish cinema continues to spread the country\u2019s culture and history around the world through engaging motion pictures.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bar_Mleczny\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bar_Mleczny\"><\/span>Bar Mleczny<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Entering many of these traditional Polish cafeterias can feel like traveling back in time: the antiquated interior d\u00e9cor, the simple menus oftentimes scribbled on walls or blackboards, the unpretentious canteen-like customer service, and unassuming food presentation. First established in 1896 by a dairy farmer producer, Bar Mleczny (literally \u201cmilk bar\u201d) flourished in Communist times as means of providing the masses of workers a cheap, nourishing meal out, and those characteristics have been preserved even as the dissemination of regular restaurants threatened to shut them out of business.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Revived over the last decade by government initiative, milk bars congregate working professionals, students, families, and retirees at lunchtime, and for penny-pinching, nostalgia-seeking tourists function as a crash course into Polish cuisine, moving past the early days of dairy-based content to offer a wide range of sausages, potato pancakes or dumplings, as well as the traditional Roso\u0142 (chicken noodle soup), borscht (beetroot soup), goulash (meat stew), bigos (stewed meat with cabbage) or kotlet schabowy (breaded pork chop). Plus, with fresh, fast, home-cooked full meals \u2013 soup + main dish + kompot (a fruity, non-alcoholic beverage) \u2013 coming in at around 3.5-5\u20ac, the distinct absence of an English-friendly service feels nothing but a minor hassle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Salt_Mines\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Salt_Mines\"><\/span>Salt Mines\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Located on the same rock salt formation in the vicinity of Krak\u00f3w, the UNESCO designated twin salt mines of Bochnia and Wieliczka were worked in parallel for more than seven hundred years. They started in the 13<sup>th<\/sup> century and grew into labyrinthine, richly decorated complexes of galleries and chambers that have fascinated visitors for generations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Extending several levels and hundreds of meters underground, both mines ceased lucrative industrial production decades ago. However, the long-lasting achievements of legions of miners are still visible on the grandeur of excavated corridors and rooms, or the multitude of delicate sculptures and monuments that adorn the spaces opened to the public in both sites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>They are vivid reminders of the evolution of mining techniques and traditions since the middle ages when salt extraction revenues supplemented a large portion of the kingdom\u2019s budget. Bochnia holds the distinction as the first to enter operation in Poland. Still, it is Wieliczka that gets the biggest crowds these days \u2013 almost two million per year \u2013 due to the stunning underground lakes and the magnificent St Kinga\u2019s Chapel. In this ample temple, every element, from chandeliers to figures and altarpieces, is made of salt.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wielizcka-1.jpg\" alt=\"Wieliczka Salt Mine one of the most famous things in Poland\" class=\"wp-image-18957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wielizcka-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wielizcka-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wielizcka-1-768x431.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wielizcka-1.jpg\" alt=\"Wieliczka Salt Mine one of the most famous things in Poland\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wielizcka-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wielizcka-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Wielizcka-1-768x431.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Interior of Wieliczka Salt Mine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Polonia_%E2%80%93_The_Polish_diaspora\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Polonia_%E2%80%93_The_Polish_diaspora\"><\/span>Polonia \u2013 The Polish diaspora<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Polish diaspora is said to comprise as many as 20M people of Polish ancestry dispersed around the globe, with Polish festivals, products, and traditions spraying the nation\u2019s footprint in communities far away from Warsaw. Many descendants of migrants rose to prominence in various fields, from tech (Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak or Youtube CEO Susan Wojcicki) and sports (former tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, retired footballer Miroslav Klose) to television and cinema (personalities such as Larry King, Stanley Kubrick, Cate Blanchett, Steve Carell, Paul Newman, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Krasinski\u2026).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Instigated by all the political tribulations that the homeland has suffered since the 17th century, sizable Polish communities are found not just in areas that once formed part of Poland \u2013 especially in Germany, Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania \u2013 but also well across the oceans, sprinkled in multi-ethnic North American hubs such as New York and Toronto, colonizing substantial parts of Chicago and Buffalo, and venturing as far as Brazil or Australia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, Poles are recognized for constituting the biggest minority living in the United Kingdom, with many taking advantage of labour freedom following integration into the European Union in 2004, whereas France and Paris have historically been where they have left the biggest mark, mostly on account of two of the country\u2019s most famous emigrants: prodigious compositor\/pianist Fryderyk (Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric) Chopin and influential physicist\/chemist Maria Sk\u0142odowska \u2013 aka Marie Curie \u2013 the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two different scientific fields.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>About the author<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">Hunkering down in Poland for the last two years, Portugal-born Duarte has prioritized life\u2019s simple pleasures over sports writing in recent times. He can\u2019t promise a change is on the way, but if you happened to grow fond of his wording and\/or enjoy reading about hockey, football, tennis, and alike, find his blogging inventory at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/wheelingaroundpuck.wordpress.com\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\">Wheeling a round puck<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pin for later<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/What-is-Poland-famous-for.jpg\" alt=\"What is Poland Famous for\" class=\"wp-image-19018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/What-is-Poland-famous-for.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/What-is-Poland-famous-for-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/What-is-Poland-famous-for.jpg\" alt=\"What is Poland Famous for\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-19018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/What-is-Poland-famous-for.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/What-is-Poland-famous-for-200x300.jpg 200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Famous-Poland.jpg\" alt=\"What is Poland known for\" class=\"wp-image-19019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Famous-Poland.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Famous-Poland-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Famous-Poland.jpg\" alt=\"What is Poland known for\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-19019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Famous-Poland.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Famous-Poland-200x300.jpg 200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"dpsp-share-text \">Sharing is caring!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/trip-and-travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trip &#038; Travel category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/what-is-poland-famous-for\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#What is Poland famous for?&#8221; For Poland\u2019s episode on the famous things across the globe, we asked our friend and blogger Duarte Magalh\u00e3es (who lives and works in Poland) to explain \u201cWhat is Poland famous for? This is his very interesting response! Situated in Central Europe \u2013 NOT Eastern Europe, Warsaw Pact be damned \u2013,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":184718,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.traveldrafts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/What-is-Poland-known-for-cover.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[94526],"tags":[28340,94532,74394,94533],"class_list":["post-184717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trip-and-travel","tag-europe","tag-famous-things-about","tag-poland","tag-travel-to"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=184717"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184717\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/184718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=184717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}