Unesco världsarv i Polen - 16 intressanta platser

Have you seen any of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Poland? There are currently 16, and many of them are amazing. We have visited exactly half of the Polish World Heritage Sites. Which ones have you visited? Which ones are you curious about?

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Unesco World Heritage in Poland

At the time of writing this post, there are a total of 16 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Poland, although the number may increase over time if more World Heritage Sites are designated. World Heritage sites are those cultural and natural environments in the world that are considered to be by far the most outstanding and of great importance to all mankind. Exciting, isn't it? Here is the full list ...

1. Krakow's historic centre

Krakow's historic centre lies at the foot of Wawel Castle. This 13th century trading city has Europe's largest square, and many historic houses, palaces and churches with stunning interiors. We have visited Krakow several times, both with and without a motorhome. A wonderful city!

VAR? Krakow is located in southern Poland, 200 kilometres south of Warsaw.
READ MORE: What to do in Krakow - 12 rips to Poland's historical gem

2. The Wieliczka and Bochnia salt mines

Salt has been extracted from the mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia since the 13th century. The mines show the historical development and both mines have kilometre-long galleries with art, sculptures and chapels. We visited the Wieliczka mine in the summer of 2009 and went down to a depth of 155 metres. Here we saw amazing halls and chapels with sculptures completely carved out of salt.

VAR? Daniłowicza 10 in Wieliczka and Campi 15 in Bochnia, near Krakow in southern Poland.
READ MORE: Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow, Poland

3rd Auschwitz Birkenau

Auschwitz-Birkenau is a former extermination camp located just outside Krakow. According to historical research, 1.5 million people were tortured, murdered or starved to death here, including a large number of Jews. We have not been here together, but I (Helena) was here when I was a young train traveller. A powerful and important experience!

VAR? Auschwitz (Oświęcim), 6 miles south of Krakow in southern Poland.

4. the Białowieza Forest

The Białowieza primeval forest is located on the border between Poland and Belarus. This is the only forest in Europe that has been preserved as it was before the arrival of humans, and it is home to many different animal and plant species. The forest is best known for its wild bison, or European bison. We visited the forest in 2017 and it was an amazing experience. We didn't see any bison on the guided tour... but later one came by the campsite where we were staying!

VAR? Białowieza, eastern Poland, near the border with Belarus.
READ MORE: Visents in Poland, Bialowieza National Park

Svampar i skogen — Our guide shows you one of the many mushrooms that grow on trees ...

Our guide shows you one of the many mushrooms that grow on trees ...

5. Warsaw's historic centre

During World War II, more than 85% of Warsaw's historic centre was destroyed. After the war, the Old Town was rebuilt with churches, castles and squares exactly as it once was. This is an outstanding example of an almost total reconstruction of a neighbourhood. We visited Warsaw in December 2016, when we also checked out the Christmas market.

VAR? Warsaw is located in the centre of Poland
READ MORE: What to do in Warsaw - our top 13 tips

Unesco världsarv i Polen — Charming shops and restaurants in the Old Town

Unesco världsarv i Polen - Gamla stan i Warszawa — Charming shops and restaurants in the Old Town

6. Zamosc old town

The city of Zamosc was founded in the 16th century, along the trade route connecting western and northern Europe with the Black Sea. It was built by an Italian architect and modelled on Italian theories of the 'ideal city'. Even today, the city has retained its original style and fortifications.

VAR? Zamosc is located in south-eastern Poland, 26 miles south-east of Warsaw.

7: Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle was built by the Teutonic Order in the 14th century and has since been restored in both the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the building techniques developed during construction have since become standard, and today this impressive castle is the largest brick building in Europe. We were here in 2014, very interesting!

VAR? Malbork, about 9 miles south-east of Gdansk
READ MORE: Malbork Castle in Poland - a medieval knight's castle

8. The medieval town of Torun

Torun was founded by the Teutonic Order in 1231, and still today there are many impressive buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries. Among other things, you can visit the house of the astronomer Copernicus, which is now a museum. We visited Torun in September 2020 and can highly recommend a visit to this beautiful town. Don't miss the famous gingerbread!

VAR? Torun is located 17 miles south of Gdansk
READ MORE: Torun, Poland - 12 things to see and do

9. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: Landscape for pilgrims

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is a cultural landscape of great spiritual significance. It contains a number of symbolic sites associated with Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The sites date from the 17th century, and are still popular with pilgrims.

VAR? Southern Poland, south-west of Krakow

10. Peace Churches in Jawor and Swidnica

The Peace Churches in Jawor and Świdnica are the largest timbered religious buildings in Europe. The churches were built in the middle of the 17th century in the midst of the religious strife that followed the Peace of Westphalia.

VAR? Jawor and Swidnica in western Poland, west of Wroclaw.

11. Wooden churches in the south of Małopolska

The wooden churches of southern Małopolska represent outstanding examples of medieval church buildings in Roman Catholic culture. These churches were built using horizontal log technology and were sponsored by noble families.

VAR? Małopolska (southern Poland)

Wooden church in Małopolska, photo: Pixabay

12. the Muskau Park

Muskau Park (Muzakowski) is a landscaped park created by Prince Hermann von Puckler-Muskau between 1815 and 1844. The park paved the way for new ideas and influenced the development of landscape architecture in the Western world.

VAR? In western Poland, on the border with Germany

13. Centenary Hall in Wroclaw

The Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia in Polish) was built in 1911-1913 by the architect Max Berg and can accommodate around 6000 people. The building is considered a pioneer in architecture, and became a key reference in the development of reinforced concrete construction. We visited the hall in 2020, and especially enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.

VAR? Wystawowa 1, Wrocław (Western Poland)
READ MORE: Wroclaw in Poland - 14 tips for things to see and do

14. Wooden churches in the Carpathian region of Poland and Ukraine

In southern Poland and Ukraine there are 16 wooden churches (tserkvas). The churches were built between the 16th and 19th centuries by people of Orthodox and Greek Orthodox faith. These tverkas display a special building tradition.

VAR? The Carpathian region of Poland and Ukraine (southern Poland)

Orthodox wooden church in southern Poland, photo: Pixabay

15. Tarnowskie Góry silver, lead and zinc mine

The Tarnowskie Góry mine is located in southern Poland. It includes a special water management system that has been used for three centuries to pump out unwanted water from the mine and use it for urban and industrial purposes.

VAR? Tarnowskie Góry, southern Poland, 3 miles north of Katowice

16. Krzemionki prehistoric flint mines

Krzemionki is located in the southern province of Świętokrzyskie and includes four mining sites, dating from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age (approximately 3900 to 1600 BC). The mines are the most extensive prehistoric mines and workshops identified to date.

VAR? Świętokrzyskie province in the south of Poland, north-east of Krakow

Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Poland have you seen?

Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Poland have you seen? Which ones are you curious about?

18 Comments

Add yours →

Ann says:

Oh what a fun read!
I have never visited Poland at all, so I have to answer no to that question 🙂 .

07 January 2021 - 8:51

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you enjoyed it! Poland is a nice and interesting country! 🙂
  
  07 January 2021 - 17:47
  
Eva+/+Leva+som+Eva says:

Well, four is a good start: historic centres in Krakow and Warsaw, Auschwitz-Birkenau and Torun. More to come!

07 January 2021 - 9:01

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Good start! 🙂 And yes, there is a lot to experience in Poland!
  
  07 January 2021 - 17:48
  
Evy Knoph says:

I am generally not particularly interested in world heritage/historical buildings, but like to visit Poland. I saw that the hall where I was watching the European Handball Championship 2016 in Wroclaw was on the list (Hala Stulecia). So I can tick it off, also Auschwitz/Birkenau (was at a conference in Krakow, the organised excursion went to the salt mine, but I and some colleagues chose to go to A/B instead. Very poignant). Old Town in Warsaw and Krakow too... so 4... if there are more, it is probably in connection with the fact that I happen to be there for other reasons.

07 January 2021 - 9:28

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  What fun that you saw the handball world championship in Hundraårshallen! 🙂 And can only agree when it comes to Auschwitz, poignant and important, nothing you forget in the first place.
  
  07 January 2021 - 17:49
  
Bo Pettersson says:

Have visited the country 6 times but only managed 4 world heritage sites. A beautiful country with friendly people. Travelled in a camper van last time, previously a motorcycle.

07 January 2021 - 9:32

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you have been to Poland so many times! A nice country, we think, and it's great to travel with a motorhome there!
  
  07 January 2021 - 17:50
  
Bo Pettersson says:

Have visited 4 world heritage sites but travelled 6 times in this beautiful country.

07 January 2021 - 9:34

Ditte says:

What a great list". I know places 1-4 well and have been here several times. Others on the list I have read about and a lot was new to me.

07 January 2021 - 16:12

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Some things were new to us too. Would be interesting to visit Zamosc for example!
  
  07 January 2021 - 17:51
  
Marianne - Glimt av verden says:

Kraków, Wieliczka, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Malbork and Torun. That's five visits. Poland is an underrated holiday destination!

07 January 2021 - 18:59

BP says:

The Poles are good at creating replicas, because even Gdansk was rebuilt after the Second World War. Very well done!
I have visited Malbork. A very powerful and impressive building.

07 January 2021 - 19:12

Marias Memoarer says:

1-3 I have seen, about 15 years ago. The wooden churches also sound interesting, I have had a bit of a craze for just churches lately 🙂 And old city centres you can't get enough of.

08 January 2021 - 16:51

Maggan och Göran says:

Poland is on our wish list as soon as it is safe to travel in Europe again, thanks for the great tips!

08 January 2021 - 22:50

Maya Nordlund says:

Oh I love world heritage sites! Unfortunately I haven't visited any of these, but then I know where to go next time I visit Poland! 🙂

09 January 2021 - 10:38

Lena - gott för själen says:

I have never been to Poland, but it is high on my wish list. There seems to be so many nice and interesting things there. And now that I have read the post, as usual, I get even more hungry.

Hug Lena

13 January 2021 - 6:31

Åsa på husbilsresa.se says:

Poland is a country we hope to visit. As usual, you have made an elaborate post with nice pictures 👌🏻🤗!

13 January 2021 - 17:44

Unesco World Heritage Sites in Poland - 16 places of interest

Unesco World Heritage in Poland

1. Krakow's historic centre

2. The Wieliczka and Bochnia salt mines

3rd Auschwitz Birkenau

4. the Białowieza Forest

5. Warsaw's historic centre

6. Zamosc old town

7: Malbork Castle

8. The medieval town of Torun

9. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: Landscape for pilgrims

10. Peace Churches in Jawor and Swidnica

11. Wooden churches in the south of Małopolska

12. the Muskau Park

13. Centenary Hall in Wroclaw

14. Wooden churches in the Carpathian region of Poland and Ukraine

15. Tarnowskie Góry silver, lead and zinc mine

16. Krzemionki prehistoric flint mines

Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Poland have you seen?

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18 Comments

Ann says:

Helena says:

Eva+/+Leva+som+Eva says:

Helena says:

Evy Knoph says:

Helena says:

Bo Pettersson says:

Helena says:

Bo Pettersson says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Marianne - Glimt av verden says:

BP says:

Marias Memoarer says:

Maggan och Göran says:

Maya Nordlund says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Åsa på husbilsresa.se says:

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