Osowiec Fortress (Street Osowiec – Twieddza 8, Goniadz) – this fort was built by the Czarist Russian forces in this part of Poland during the late 19th & early 20th centuries. These forces used the then-original construction technique of making their fortifications entirely from poured concrete monoliths. It was also of an unusual size (its […]
National Museum (Alley Jerozolimskie 3, Warsaw) — The National Museum in Warsaw was originally founded in 1862 as the Museum of Fine Arts and is currently one of the oldest art museums in the country. After Poland regained its independence in 1918, the National Museum was given a prominent role in the plans for the […]
Museum of the Polish Army (Alley Jerozolimskie 3, Warsaw) – this is the only museum in the country that details the history of the Polish Army from its infancy during the 10th century until the end of the Nazi occupation in World War II. There’s also an art collection, and a number of military displays. […]
Museum of Independence (Alley Solidarnosci 62, Warsaw) – this is a great museum for those interested in learning more about the development of the Polish nation over the centuries – covering battle and efforts at independence (from the Kościuszko uprising to more recent times). There is even material covering local resistance to Communist rule in […]
Museum Palace at Wilanów (Street St. Kostki Potockiego 10/16, Warsaw) – this palace was built for one of Poland’s best-regarded monarchs: King Jan III Sobieski. The Wilanów Palace has a combination of a traditional Polish court with an Italian rural villa and a French chateau. The palace’s interior, with their original design and decadent furniture, […]
Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom (Alley Szucha 25, Warsaw) – located in the left wing of the country’s Ministry of Education, this located once housed the headquarters of the German secret police (Gestapo) during the Nazi occupation, with the basement used as an investigative prison. Numerous artifacts (from documents to photos of the imprisoned – […]
Koci Łeb Tower (Street Podmurna 74, Toruń) – those passing through this town will notice this fortified tower (which acted as a prison dungeon). Built during the Middle Ages along the town’s northern municipal wall, the tower was extended during the 16th century (adding cannons for improved fire power). It was partially destroyed during the […]
Kracow Gate (Lublin Square, Lublin) – located 2 ½ hours southeast of Warsaw, the Kracow Gate was built as part of this city’s fortification during the reign of King Casimir the Great (following a Tatar attack in 1341). It now acts as Lublin History Museum. The name of this gate comes from the royal road […]
Historical Museum of Warsaw (Street Rynek Starego Miasta 28/42, Warsaw) – this museum is currently housed within 11 tenement buildings in Warsaw’s Old Town section (a replacement from the original site, which was destroyed during World War II). The museum provides archaeological exhibits, paintings, graphics, iconography, sculpture, decorative arts, numismatics, plans and drawings. Some of […]
Fryderyk Chopin Museum (Street Okólnik 1, Warsaw) – this museum was launched in 1935 by classical music fans, under its original name (the Chopin Institute). The museum’s exhibits make up the world’s richest and most varied collection of memorabilia related to both Fryderyk Chopin (1810 – 1849) as an individual, and his work. The collection […]