What to do and see in Lesser Poland Province, Southern Poland: The Best Historic Sites

October 27, 2021 Velvet Mowry

Discover the best top things to do in Lesser Poland Province, Poland including World War I Cemetery no 51, Willa Elzbiecina Sp. z o.o., Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau, Kopalnia Soli Bochnia, Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellonskiego Collegium Maius, Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Family Home of John Paul II, Zamek Pieskowa Skala.
Restaurants in Lesser Poland Province

1. World War I Cemetery no 51

Rotunda Hill, Regietow 38-315 Poland http://www.polskie-cmentarze.pl/index.php/Ciekawe-miejsca/Wojewodztwo-Malopolskie/Powiat-gorlicki/Gmina-Uscie-Gorlickie/Regietow/Cmentarz-Wojenny-nr-51-na-Rotundzie
Excellent
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

World War I Cemetery no 51

2. Willa Elzbiecina Sp. z o.o.

Ul. Zamoyskiego 30, Zakopane 34-500 Poland +48 798 869 307 [email protected] http://www.willa-elzbiecina.pl
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Willa Elzbiecina Sp. z o.o.

Willa Elzbiecina is a beautiful historic wooden villa in the Witkiewicz style, from 1912. From 1922, the villa was the property of Wojciech Korfanty, the leader of the Silesian Uprisings and a close friend of Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz. It was completely renovated and rebuilt.

3. Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau

ul. Wiezniow Oswiecimia 20 Entrance to the Museum is located at Stanisławy Leszczyńskiej Str. no. 11, Oswiecim 32-603 Poland +48 33 844 80 99 [email protected] http://auschwitz.org
Excellent
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4.5 based on 14,352 reviews

Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau

Established by the Nazis in 1940, Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust. Although the exact number of victims is unknown, many Jews, Poles and gypsies died here. The museum consists of two parts: Auschwitz I, the first and oldest camp (the number of prisoners fluctuated around 15,000, sometimes rising above 20,000) and Auschwitz II, Birkenau (which held more than 90,000 prisoners in 1944). The greater part of the apparatus of mass extermination was built in Birkenau and the majority of the victims were murdered there.

Reviewed By katiecharlotte18 - Armitage, United Kingdom

I don’t want to call this a review like it’s rating some sort of amusement park but want to share some thoughts and info for those thinking of visiting. One the things our guide repeated various times was this is first and foremost a cemetery for those lost in the holocaust and should be treated as such and he was so so right. I have seen it mentioned many times but personally we never felt rushed on our guided tour, although there were many different languages tours occurring at the same time so it sometimes overlapped but it’s a place of many many visitors and they do need to keep the pace. However there is always time to wander round afterwards and reflect on your own time. After the initial Auschwitz tour which is mainly exhibitions in the original blocks were all the belongings of the prisoners are piled up, this part does feel more like just that..an exhibition, it almost doesn’t feel real and yet the hairs on your neck stand on end at the sight and you feel a continuing sense of sadness and depression all throughout. The guide then invited us to have a break and meet up together again at Birkenau if we wanted to or we could take some time and wander at our own leisure if we wanted. Birkenau itself is a completely different experience and it’s here you really feel the weight of the experience even though most of it lies in ruins. Our tour guide (we think his name was Andres or something similar) was so knowledgable and genuine, you can tell he really feels passionate and humbled to show people through this harrowing experience and really make sure you feel the full impact of what can only be described as be most haunting and evil place on earth. Some people complained at the volume of the tour and we had several stops of people getting new headphones as they kept saying they couldn’t hear properly, poor guide had to hold his microphone the whole way round which he did without complaint. However he very rightly said it’s important for him to remain respectful and not shout in the exhibitions. We felt very grateful for our guide and felt it was the right choice for us. A definite must experience in life.

4. Kopalnia Soli Bochnia

ul. Campi 15, Bochnia 32-700 Poland +48 14 692 67 52 [email protected] http://www.kopalnia-bochnia.pl/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 283 reviews

Kopalnia Soli Bochnia

The Salt Mine Bochnia is the oldest salt mine in Poland. The beginnings of the Bochnia mine as an excavating plant date back to 1248. Being a royal facility, the mine generated a huge income. In 1368, King Casimir the Great issued a document referred to as the Saltworks Statute. It defined the organizational and legal principles for selling salt. The oldest Bochnia mining shafts are the Sutoris and Gazaris shafts. The Bochnia mine and the Sutoris Shaft that are mentioned in the legend on St. Kinga’s ring. The mine developed rapidly in 15th and 16th centuries. More shafts are constructed at that time, i.e. Regis , Bochneris, and Campi. In 17th century, due to wars and an economic decline, the plant’s development slowed down. Visitors to the Bochnia Salt Mine discover the oldest and the most beautiful excavations including the August and Sienkiewicz Levels, the Dobosz Inter-Level.Visitors explore the route on foot and can cover a part of the distance by a tourist train or by boat.

Reviewed By airikat2016 - Tartu, Estonia

We took four hours excursion, with bout trip to discover salt mine. English tour was earlier in the morning and only once a day, so our tour was in polish. In summary its the trip to take, with one note - more suitable for children 8+. Four hours underground is difficult for smaller. We were very lucky because one of our guides spoke very good English and gave him best to translate as much as possible even it wasn't his duty. Anyway, if you would like to take full of that, try to take English tour, because maybe you are not so lucky as us, and most of the shared stories/explanations not understandable.

5. Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellonskiego Collegium Maius

ul. Jagiellonska 15, Krakow 31-010 Poland +48 12 422 05 49 [email protected] http://www.maius.uj.edu.pl
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4.5 based on 1,088 reviews

Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellonskiego Collegium Maius

First founded in 1364, this integral part of Krakow life has many distinguished alumni including distinguished Polish intellectuals, political leaders and well-known international figures like Nicolaus Copernicus and Pope John Paul II. The Collegium Maius is the oldest surviving building of the university.

6. Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel 5, Krakow 31-001 Poland +48 12 422 51 55 [email protected] http://www.wawel.krakow.pl/en/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 10,412 reviews

Wawel Royal Castle

Serving as a royal residence and the site where the country's rulers governed Poland for five centuries (1038-1596), this castle is a symbol of the independent Polish state and today contains a priceless collection of 16th-century Flemish tapestries, considered to be one of the largest in the world.

Reviewed By travelessential - Melbourne, Australia

Definitely worth your visit, amazing detail and architecture especially see Lost Wawel and the armoury. Strangely you have to buy tickets for each section you are wanting to see and the queues are long so definitely use online if you can. Also strangely the cathedral is another ticket and another office. They should really just sell one ticket covers all. It would be a lot quicker!

7. Wawel Cathedral

Wawel 3, Krakow 31-001 Poland +48 12 429 95 15 http://www.katedra-wawelska.pl/
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4.5 based on 5,816 reviews

Wawel Cathedral

National shrine known for its superb religious art including the giant bell of Zygmunt of 1520, one of the world's largest, and the burial place of many Polish kings and their families, national heroes and numerous bishops.

Reviewed By MarkH706 - Paphos, Cyprus

Great and very intresting trip to Wawel and the Royal Cathedral on Wawel Hill Visiting the Royal Tombs to see the last resting place of Polish monarchs and national heroes also visiting the Pope John Paul II Cathedral Museum. Worth the visit but the ticket office on our visit was hectic.

8. Wieliczka Salt Mine

Jana Mikolaja Danilowicza 10, Wieliczka 32-020 Poland https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/32
Excellent
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4.5 based on 13,681 reviews

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Reviewed By 622AndrewW - Moreton, United Kingdom

This is one of the best attractions we have ever been to see, you have a guided tour of the mine and see the sculptures created by some of the miners after their shifts had finished, lasts about two hours or more. If you could get to see all the mine workings you'd probably be down there for a couple of days as you only get to see about 3 percent of the mine.

9. Family Home of John Paul II

ul. KoScielna 7, Wadowice 34-100 Poland +48 33 823 35 55 [email protected] http://www.domjp2.pl
Excellent
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4.5 based on 372 reviews

Family Home of John Paul II

Reviewed By WimVangheluwe - Menen, Belgium

For anyone interested in world history, the birth house (and the village of Wadowice) are an absolute must see! You will learn a lot about hidden important facts that influenced world history. Modern museum and good English tour guide. Not only for devout Catholics, the figure of John Paul II truly is inspiring for everyone!

10. Zamek Pieskowa Skala

Ojcowski Park Narodowy, Suloszowa 32-045 Poland +48 12 389 60 04 [email protected] http://pieskowaskala.eu/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 177 reviews

Zamek Pieskowa Skala

Renaissance castle located along the Eagles' Nest Trail features a lovely courtyard with a delicate arcade and an exhibition of European art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

Reviewed By TrooperMax - Ottawa, Canada

This castle looks like it's out of a fairy tale. And with all its history it pretty much is. With legend of a local girl being thrown into the well for not wanting to marry to fantastic artwork from centuries below. This castle is well worth the price if admission. The best part is this is not a huge tourist attraction so it's nothing quite as busy as other castles like in say germany. Well worth going great pictures can be made here. Great restaurant too.

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