POLAND - European Tradition and Modernity

7/31/2019 POLAND - European Tradition and Modernity

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PolandEuropean Traditionand Modernity

Polish Tourist Organisation


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Warsaw

Republic of PolandArea:312,000 sq km

Location:Central Europe.Poland borders on Germany,the Czech Republic, Slovakia,Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, andRussia.

Its northern border 500 kmlong runs along the Baltic Seacoast.

Population:38,000,000

Flag:White and red

Official language:Polish

Capital city:Warsaw

Major cities:Gdask, Katowice, Cracow,d, Pozna, Szczecin,Wrocaw

Climate:Temperate; the averagetemperature in July is 19C(67F), but there are many sum-mer days when temperatures riseto 30C (86F). The best timeof the yearfor practising winter sportsvis between January and March.


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Poland is one of the larger European countries,conveniently situated in the middle of the continent andat the crossroads of important transit routes; it has a goodaccess to the Baltic Sea. These conditions enhance thedevelopment of Polands economy, trade and all sorts ofinternational relations.

For the last fifteen years, Poland has been making herbest to benefit from the new opportunities that appearedafter the collapse of barriers separating two social andpolitical systems. Artificial divisions of the Europeancontinent have been removed to create a big European familyof countries with the same history and culture.

Since 1989, Poland has become the leader of changesin the region, and it has been progressing at the quickestpace.

In the eyes of other Europeans, our countrys successeshave different aspects. Some of them was attention to Polandsmacroeconomic indices, while others put forward our much-acclaimed national stand at the EXPO 2000, the presenceof Polish brands on European trade markets, and promotionalevents organised in the capitals of various countries.

Europe of the 21st century is now under construction Polands share in this pan-continental effort can be quiteconspicuous. In the past, our country often drew on the

heritage of West European civilisation, and also enrichedthe common European tradition; today, the continuationof this exchange brings about remarkable results.

Poland will become a full member of the EuropeanUnion on 1 May 2004. On the same day, it will rejoin thebig European family.

Polish Tourist Organisation

Wrocaw. Aula Apollina.

The Neptune Fountain in Gdask.

Zamo

The bugle call from St Marys Churchin Cracow

Poland


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Arras tapestry: A Stork

Tomb of Casimir the Great, Wawel Cathedral

Burgher Houses in the town of Kazimierz

A craftsman setting a piece of amber


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enriched by the colourful and multiform heritage of Polishrural communities, has always been fostered. It was the roadtowards the West that Polish patriots were taking after thepartitions and failures of national uprisings. It was there, andnot at home, that they could enjoy flourishing intellectual andartistic life. The greatest literary works of Polish Romanticismwere created in Paris and during travels to Italy.

It is worth remembering that the countries of EasternEurope are not foreign bodies in the European organism.That is valid not only for Poland but also for the CzechRepublic, Hungary, and the Baltic states. What has beenartificially separated should become united again.

European tradition is still alive in Polands history, cultureand art. Prominent Poles, their scientific works and artisticachievements mark the way towards closer coexistence, soimportant for the future and having such a great impact onthe present of our continent.

Amber Route

Although sparsely populated in the ancient times, Polishlands maintained lively trade relations with many Europeanregions. That was due to those lands location as well as totheir highly valued and wanted products. One of them wasamber, plentiful on the southern Baltic coast.

An important trade link known as the amber route existedalready in the bronze age, leading from the MediterraneanSea via todays Vienna and on through the Kodzko Basinor the Moravian Gate to the Polish lands; it then passed nearKalisz and continued along the right Vistula bank towardsthe Baltic Sea. Merchants brought here different articles andtrinkets made of bronze to exchange them for amber, salt andfurs. Soon new trade routes were established, running fromItaly and Greece via Danube lands and Carpathian passes,but the amber route retained its important position. The cityof Kalisz has the oldest historical record in Poland - underthe name of Calisia it was entered by Ptolemy into his workwritten in the 2nd century A.D.

The amber route still exists, but it is quite different fromwhat it used to be. Now, it is the name of a tour designedfor tourists visiting Pomerania, and especially the area ofGdask. Various trips take them along the trail connectedwith the amber heritage. They usually include Gdask,Elblg, Malbork, and Jantar near Stegna, where the annual

World Championship in Fishing Amber is organised.

A thousand years ago, when Polands statehood wasjust budding, the country confirmed its adherence to WestEuropean culture. That relationship, with ups and downs,survived the whole millenium.

Polands history turned to be as turbulent as that ofEurope royal dynasties changed, cruel wars rolled over thecontinent, borders were moved, big fortunes came into being,

populations were decimated by famine and plagues.Nevertheless, European civilisation did not stopdeveloping as regards sciences, culture, architecture,agriculture and crafts; and eventually an unprecedentedindustrial growth came with the appearance of newtechnologies and cities, apparition of new services,tourism, trade contacts, as well as the gradual expansion ofmotorization and informatics.

The majority of these modern age achievements are bornin Europe.

Poland always profited from the western culturesachievements because thanks to its location it functionedas a bridge between Western and Eastern Europe. In Polandmet and crossed transit trade routes and intermingled westernand oriental cultural influences, but it was also a playgroundfor many conflicts and contradictory interests of Europeansuperpowers.

Polands millenary history preserved much of the richand diversified cultural heritage shaped by East and WestEuropean influences. Those influences became particularlynoticeable in the late medieval period, when Poland started tobuild up its powerful position in Europe. That was the timewhen Polish students were enrolling into Italian and Germanuniversities, and returning home were promoting new ideasand development of mutual political and cultural relations.Those relations became even closer during the period knownas the golden age in Poland united with Lithuania ruledthe dynasty of Jagiellons. Polish royal court became hometo many western artists and scholars who later spread overmoving to various magnate estates and different cities; theyare authors of a great number of masterpieces which enchantus also today.

Eastern territories of the Commonwealth were moreunder oriental influence, coming from Ruthenia and itsOrthodox religion as well as from Muslim zone: Poland hada common border with Turkey for quite a long time.

At the end of the 18th century the Common-wealthcollapsed, but the tradition of common history and culture,

PolandAlways in Europe


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Poland Turns ChristianIn the early Middle Ages, the present Polish lands were

populated by Slav tribes. Following long lasting processes, inthe 9th century, the tribes started to form larger tribal groupsto eventually create the state of Poland during the centuryto come. The territory of the present Wielkopolska or GreatPoland became the centre of the budding state with Gniezno

as its capital. Dukes of the Piast dynasty ruled in Poland,and Duke Mieszko I became the first recorded head of thePolish state.

He was converted to Christianity in 966. That extremelyimportant act strengthened the young countrys sovereigntyand its internal unity; Poland also became formally a part ofChristian Europe.

In the shade of the big city of Pozna today, at thattime Gniezno was the capital of the country. It was a ducalstronghold and in the newly erected church the body of StAdalbert was laid; St Adalbert, Polands patron, was killedduring his evangelic mission to the land of Prussians. In

the year 1000, Gniezno hosted the famous meeting of theGerman Emperor, Otto III, with Mieszkos son, BolesawChrobry(Boleslaus the Brave), later crowned the first Polishking. In the jubilee year 2000, the city became again the hostof a contemporary Gniezno meeting presidents of Europeancountries arrived there to confirm the great idea of Europeanunification.

Cistercian TrailMonks from French, Italian and German Cistercian

monasteries were arriving in Poland in the late 12th century.

The rulers of Polish principalities the country was thenfragmented into five duchies gave them landed properties

Tomb of St. Adalbertin Gniezno

Duke Mieszko I Cathedral Gate in Gniezno

Gdask


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to found abbeys. Their presence in Poland had not onlyreligious but also economic aspect. Theorder greatly promotedmaterial culture as well. Cistercian abbeys spread knowledgeof agriculture and transferred progress from highly civilisedcountries.

Several Cistercian abbeys were founded in Poland duringthe late 12th century the majority of them were built in

Maopolska or Little Poland, Lower Silesia and Wielkopolska.They all existed until the liquidation of the order in the early19th century. Many monasteries survived until today, but veryfew in their original shape. The best way to see them is to followthe tourist Cistercian trail.

The Hanseatic LeagueBoth population and economy of Europe flourished in the

12th and 13th centuries. Successful trade added much to thegrowth and development of cities. In the mid-13th century,union of north German cities known as Hansa or HanseaticLeague came into being; Lubeck and Hamburg played leading

roles in the union. The Hansa was mainly developing in theBaltic Sea basin, monopolising trade, boosting the economicdevelopment and acquiring considerable political influence.

The league was soon joined by merchants of the Polishcoastal towns and cities such as Szczecin, Koszlin, Koobrzeg,Darowo, Sawno, Gdask, and Elblg. In the 15th century,the Hanseatic League grouped 160 cities of the Baltic states.The rapidly developing trade exchange was the base of theireconomic power.

Szczecin and Gdask hold the leading position amongPolish cities. Very well preserved monumental building of theGdasks Main Town and richly ornamented burgher houses

lining up Duga, Mariacka and Dugi Targ Streets are the bestevidence of the citys and its merchants past puissance.

Gdask: a view of the Motawa river

Gdask: coat of arms, the Town Hall

Archeological festival in Biskupin.


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A book cover embroided by Anna Jagiellonka


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The history of the Polish parliamentary system developedalong the same lines as in the other European countries.Magnates, gentry and burghers were trying hard tostrengthen their position through acquiring more rights andprivileges, simultaneously weakening kings absolutepower.

Self-governments of various lands were steadily gaining

importance throughout the 15th century. Important decisionswere voted for during the gatherings of local gentry.Towards the end of the century, the two chamber Polish

diet was established. The representations of local gentrygatherings (councils) created the Chamber of Deputies,and the royal council including lay and church officials wasconverted into the Senate. The Seym was in session everysecond year, or in case of need, and gathered in Warsaw.

After the Jagiellon dynasty had become extinct, thePolish kings for nearly two centuries were chosen in freeelections attended by the majority of Polish noblemen. Atthat time absolute monarchies had been alredy dominatingin Europe. Against their background the social structureof Polish Commonwealth was distinguished by a relativelydemocratic character which also positively influencedpolitical and social relations. This was the period ofrelative liberties and tolerance that lasted till the time ofwars tormenting Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The reign of the last Polish monarch, KingStanisawAugust Poniatowski, was quite fortunate as regards ourparliamentary system. This highly educated ruler and the

great admirer of Enlightenment made more than one effortto save the Commonwealth through the introduction ofpolitical, economic and military reforms. The Great Seym(1788-92) lent him a hand, and its greatest achievement waspassing the Constitution of the 3rd of May in 1791; it wasthe worlds second written constitution, the first being thatof the United States. The Constitution delineated rights and

obligations of all citizens and outlined the governmentsresponsibility and organisation.The end of World War I was also the beginning of the

Polish Second Republic Poland regained its independencein November 1918. Main state institutions were soonestablished. The new fundamental law known as the LittleConstitution was passed in the diet known as the LegislativeSeym in 1919. The constitution made the government of thereborn country legitimate. Two years later, the full-f ledgedversion of the constitution was passed. It introduced therepublican political system and the principle of nationalsovereignty exercised through the deputies to the Seym.Besides, the constitution confirmed such other principles asthe proportional representation in the Seym, the division ofpower and the parliamentary control of government.

The last ten years of independent Poland weremarked by the return to traditions of the Europeanparliamentary system: free elections to the Seym andSenate were held, and the new constitution was passedby the national assembly. Poland became again a trueparliamentary democracy.

Polands Parliamentary Traditions

J.P.Norblin, A Diet in the Churchalongside, the manuscript of the 3rd May Constitution.


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Polands Contribution tothe European Culture

Throughout centuries, especially during the periods ofRenaissance and Enlightenment, Poland made a frequentand abundant use of West European cultural and artisticresources. Thanks to vigorous political and economicrelations, new trends in the western architecture, painting,literature, decorative art and music were easily findingtheir way to Poland. The greatest achievements of westernculture were promoted by young Poles returning homeafter studies at Italian, German and French universities.The Polish royal court and magnate residences as well asdeveloping Polish cities were becoming home or temporarilyhosted many renown foreign artists. They were authorsof the most sumptuous Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical buildings, splendid castles and palaces, gardens,churches, and burgher houses; they also created in Polanda great number of paintings and sculptures, which are nowshowpieces of many museums.

At its prime, multi-national and cosmopolitan Polandchannelled western and eastern cultural trends. And thatwas clearly visible in original works that joined remoteand dissimilar traditions many of them became part ofEuropean cultural heritage.

In the late-18th century and throughout the 19th century,when Poland lost its independence, many artists, authorsand scientists emigrated to West European countries, takingwith themselves centuries-long traditions of Polishculture and art.The leading figure among those artists wasFrdric Chopin, the worldwide known Polish composer. Hewas born in 1810 at elazowa Wola, where his French-born

Frdric Chopin Krzysztof Penderecki Andrzej Wajda


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father worked as tutor on a local estate. The future composervisited the place only as a child, but he remembered thosevisits throughout his whole life. The memories of Mazoviannostalgic landscapes and the rich folklore environs could laterbe traced in his music.

Fifty kilometres west of Warsaw, a tiny villageof elazowa Wola owns its fame to the Romanticlittle manor where the composer was born, and whichcontains a museum, where music cocerts are held on Sundays.The nearby village of Brochw is noted for its 16th-centuryGothic church in which Chopin was baptised: the certificateis still there.

Chopin left Poland at the age of 20; prior to his departure,Warsaw was the city, where he spent most of his young years,went to school, studied and gave recitals. Places connectedwith his life and work are willingly visited by tourists. TheOstrogski Palace is the seat of the Chopin Society and itcontains a small Chopin museum. The Holy Cross Churchhouses an epitaph to Chopin and an urn with his heart;his tomb is in the Parisian cemetery of Pre Lachaise. TheChopin Monument can be admired in the Royal azienkiPark; open-air concerts are held here on summer Sundays.

The International Chopin Competitions are organisedin Warsaw every fifth year.

The fate ofmigrswas also shared by the greatest Polishpoets,Adam Mickiewicz andJuliusz Sowacki.

Literary talents ofBolesaw Prus, Henryk SienkiewiczandJzef Ignacy Kraszewski appeared towards the end ofthe 19th century.

Henryk Sienkiewicz was the first Polish writer tobecome a Nobel Prize-winner in 1905 for Quo Vadis healso wrote other important historical novels, but the onlyone to make a world career was Quo Vadis, translated intomany languages.

Wadysaw Reymont is another Polish writer who wasawarded the Nobel Prize in 1924 for his great epic novelentitled Peasants. Among his other literary works, the mostimportant is the novel Promised Land.

Towards the end of the last century, two Polish poetswere granted that prestigious award: Czesaw Miosz (1980)andWisawa Szymborska(1996).

Henryk Sienkiewicz

Wadysaw Reymont

Czesaw Miosz

Wisawa Szymborska

Frdric Chopin Monument in Warsaw andhis manuscript

The Polish culture can boast a few other authors renownand valued worldwide. For example, composersJan IgnacyPaderewski, Krzysztof Penderecki andWitold Lutosawski,or film directorsAndrzej Wajdaand Roman Polaski.

To the rich European culture contributed all nations; thepriceless traditions built up for centuries. They must not beunderestimated, especially in the era of cultural globalisationand the promotion of mass culture.


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Nicolau Copernicus

Maria Skodowska-Curie


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Not OnlyNicolaus Copernicus

In 1364, KingKazimierz III Wielki (Casimir III theGreat) founded in Cracow the second oldest university inCentral Europe (the first one being that of Prague).

Nicolaus Copernicus was one of the first famous studentsof the Cracovian Academy.

Copernicus was a real Renaissance man: he was notonly an outstanding astronomer but also a mathematician,

economist and doctor; he showed much practical interestin his countrys political and economic life. His greatestachievements, however, are connected with astronomy; hegot interested in the subject during his studies in Cracow.

After years of research and observations, Copernicusformulated his heliocentric theory of the universe.The full outline of his theory was given in Derevolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutionsof the Celestial Spheres) published in 1543, a year afterhis death. Copernicus theory altered the course ofastronomy by proposing that the earth moves around the sun.At the same time, it brought about a great methodologicalchange in sciences and worldwide revolution in thinking.

Maria Skodowska-CurieDistinguished Polish scientist,Maria SkodowskaCurie

was granted the Nobel prize twice, for physics and forchemistry. She started her scientific career in Warsaw,emigrated and spent the rest of her life in France, whereshe married Pierre Curie. Working together, they built upthe science of radioactivity and published pioneer works onnuclear physics and chemistry.

In 1898, they discovered polonium and radium and fiveyears later received the Nobel prize for physics.

Since 1906, Maria Skodowska-Curie headed (after herhusbands death) the chair of radioactivity at the Sorbonnein Paris.

In later years, she organised the Radium Institute inParis, also helping in the establishment of a similar centrein Warsaw.

The Nobel prize for chemistry was granted to her in 1911,in recognition for her research works on the properties ofradioactive elements.

Other Polish researchers also contributed greatly to theEuropean science. For example, Stefan Banach cofounder

of functional analysis and linear spaces, Hugo Steinhaus specialising in the theory of probability, Stefan Brya(bridge constructor), Tadeusz Kotarbiski (praxeology)Kazimierz Nitsch (founder of dialectology).

Nowadays, scientific discoveries are usually a resultof collective research and effort, and they are made inspacious, modern, well-equipped laboratories or industrial

establishment employing many scientists. Polish researchersare among them.

Toru: the house of Nicolaus Copernicusand his monument


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Warsaw Fair grounds in Pozna Mercure Hotel in Warsaw

Its been only for the last fiftenn years that Poland hasbeen developing according to the rules of market economy.Shortcomings and neglect of previous decades are difficultto repair its not easy to rapidly make up for the lost time.However, the positive results of recent reforms are visible:the ground for the development of modern economy andrestructuring of the whole branches was prepared.

Accelerated modernisation is present in all fields ofPolish life. Differences in life standards and macroeconomicdevelopment have to be gradually removed. And they are beingremoved. Its noticeable in every Polish city - they are becomingmore colourful, have better infrastructure, more constructionsites and offer higher quality of services. Its also visible onPolish roads there are more and newer vehicles. Changes areperceptible everywhere. Not without reason, since the beginningof economic transformations, Poland has been recognised as theleader of changes.

The high tempo of economic changes in Poland is due to the factthat our country has recently become a very attractive market forforeign investors. The value of foreign capital invested in Polandexceeds USD 40 billion, and the list of major investors includesome 750 big companies, representing different branches ofbusiness.

The greatest investments were made in the fields of banking,transportation, food processing, trade, telecommunications,car manufacturing, and insurance system. Polands way tomodernity is still difficult, but it is much shorter today than itwas five or ten years ago.

Way to Modernity Malbork


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For the last fifteen years Polish nationals have beentravelling a lot abroad, and nearly all of them for touristpurposes, holidays and on business. The image of a Polishtourist has decidedly changed for the better.

Millions of foreign visitors come to Poland every year.Many of them travel on business and are delegated by culturalor scientific institutions. The greatest improvements, however,

are due to the changes in Polish tourist industry.There are more and more hotels and pensions of highand medium standard in Polands major tourist centressuch as Cracow, Warsaw, Gdask, Wrocaw, Pozna, d,Olsztyn, Toru, Koobrzeg, and many other attractivetourist destinations. At present, Poland can offer limitlessopportunities to those who wish to spend a fabulous holidayor weekend.

Tourist infrastructure is continuously developing there are more border crossings and transportation links;Polish cuisine is highly regarded by international gourmands;holiday centres are provided with swimming pools, ski-lifts,golf courses, and water sports equipment the list of touristfacilities is long.

Beautiful Baltic Sea coast, lakelands with hundreds oflakes, dense forests, scenic mountains, historical cities, artisticevents, excellent conditions for active rest all these advantagesattract tourists from different European countries.

Tourism in contemporary Europe is an importantbranch of national economy. It is also a way of internationalrapprochement; tourism promotes tolerance, mutualunderstanding, and teaches respect for other nationsheritage.

Tourism the Wayto InternationalRapprochement

The Wang Chapel in Karpacz.

Amber

The Wawel Cathedral in Cracow

UNESCO Worlds Cultural Heritage List:

Salt Mine at Wieliczka

Evangelical Churches of Peace at Jaworze and widnica

Unique monastic complex at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

Nazi concentration camp of AuschwitzBirkenau at OwicimBrzezinka

Old Towns in Cracow, Toru, Warsaw and Zamo

Gothic castle of the Teutonic Knights at Malbork

Biaowieska Forest (Worlds Natural Heritage list)

Wooden Churches of the southern Maopolska region

acut


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Practical information

Republic of PolandArea: 312,000 sq km. Location: Central Europe. Polandborders on Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia,Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. Its northernborder 500 km long runs along the Baltic Sea coast.Population: 38,000,000. Flag: White and red. Officiallanguage: Polish. Capital city: Warsaw. Major cities:

Gdask, Katowice, Cracow, Lublin, d, Pozna,Szczecin, Wrocaw. Climate: Temperate, the averagetemperature in July is 19C (67F), but there are manysummer days when temperatures rise to 30C (86F). Thebest time of the year for practising winter sports is between

January and March.

Holidays and work free daysFree days are Sundays, Saturdays, and the following holidays:New Years Day (Jan. 1st), the Easter (Easter Sunday andMonday are moveable holidays), Labour Day (May 1st),the anniversary of the Constitution of May Third (May3rd), Corpus Christi (Thursday, movable feast), Feast of the

Assumption (Aug. 15th), All Saints Day (Nov. 1st), NationalIndependence Day (Nov. 11th), Christmas Holidays(Dec. 25th and 26th).

Where to stay?All hotels are classified and their categories range frominexpensive to luxurious. Polish Internet Reservation System of Hotel

& Tourist Service: www.discover-poland.pl. Rooms can be booked by telephone or Internet:

www.hotelsinpoland.com, www.polhotels.com,www.hotelspoland.com, www.polhotel.pl,www.warsawshotel.com.

Information and reservation of Orbis Hotel Group,tel. 0-801 606 606, +(48-502) 805 805, www.orbis.pl.

Many historical and old buildings (palaces, castles,manors, mills) were adapted for tourist purposes tel. +(48-22) 630 57 57, www.leisure-heritage.com.

Booking of rural B&B accommodations:tel. +(48-52) 398 14 34, mobile +(48-602) 459 137 ,www.agritourism.pl, [email protected].

Youth hostels: tel. +(48-22) 849 81 28,fax 849 83 54, www.hostelling.com.pl.

Campsites: tel./fax +(48-22) 810 60 50,www.pfcc.info.

PaymentsMoney can best be changed at banks or exchangecounters. Credit cards are accepted in shops, traveloffices, airlines agencies, fuel stations, etc. There is notime limit on the use of credit cards they can be usedround the clock.Loss of a credit card should be reported: tel.+(48-22) 515 31 50 or 515 30 00 (open 24 hrs).

The Polish currency is the zloty (PLN) dividedinto 100 groszy. Coins in circulation: 1, 2, 5 zlotysand 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groszy. Banknotes: 10, 20,50, 100 and 200 zlotys.

Customs regulationsCustoms rules and procedures are similar to thoseapplied in a majority of EU countries. Detailedinformation is available from the Ministry of Finance,tel. +(48-22) 694 31 94, www.clo.gov.pl.

Getting around

AirEight airports operate in the following cities: Warsaw,Gdask, Katowice, Krakw, Pozna, Rzeszw, Szczecin andWrocaw. LOT Polish Airlines is Polands national carrier. Inorder to find necessary information, all travellers planning tocome to Poland and move around the country by air shouldvisit the LOT website: www.lot.com.

TrainPoland has a well developed rail network. Major Polishcities are interconnected by InterCity express trainsrunning between European cities. The national railwaynetwork is administered and serviced by the Polish StateRailways (PKP). All necessary information can be found onthe PKP website: www.pkp.com.pl.

Bus, Car & MotorcycleAny place in Poland can be easily reached by an extensivenetwork of national and local roads. Coach servicesare operated by the state and private bus companiesthroughout the whole country.

TaxiTaxi stands are marked with TAXI sign. Taxiscan best be booked by phone. Higher rates arecharged for travel out of city limits, on Sundaysand holidays; a special night fare is applied between10 pm and 6 am.


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Medical assistanceThe country-wide toll-free 24 hour emergency phonenumber is 999. In a medical emergency, you may usepublic or private clinics, or summon a doctor throughyour hotel reception. There are fixed rates for healthservices. Before departure, make sure you have adequatehealth insurance.

Bringing your own vehicle

Trac regulationsThey are compatible with the rules in the EU countries. Therelevant speed limits on Polish roads are: 60 km/h for all vehicles in built-up areas; 110 km/h on four-lane express roads; 130 km/h on motorways;Between October and February headlights must be

switched on at all times while driving.Petrol

A majority of petrol stations are open 24 hrs and sell allpopular grades of petrol, including 94 octane leaded, 95and 98 octane unleaded, U95 octane unleaded for vehicleswithout catalytic converter, as well as diesel fuel. Manystations offer LPG and Auto gas fuel.

Breakdown assistanceThe nation-wide emergency toll-free phone number is981. Starter Breakdown Service: tel. +(48-61) 831 98 00,

mobile phone numbers: +(48-600) 222 222, +(48-609)222 222. Immediate repairs by the roadside. Payments cash only.

Polski Zwizek Motorowy (Polish Motoring Union), tel.+(48-22) 96 37 (non-cash payments available only tomembers of Fdration International de lAutomobile (FIA)or Alliance International de Tourisme).

Car rentalPolish and international rental agencies are well representedat airports, railway stations and at major hotels.

SouvenirsShops with regional souvenirs, local handicrafts,contemporary and antique art are found all over thecountry.Foreign visitors willingly buy amber and silver jewellery,paintings on glass by folk artists, laces and tableclothsfrom Koniakw and Bobowa, articles made of naturalcolour leather, Polish contemporary paintings andgraphic art, artistic furniture and pottery.

Important TelephonesThe nationwide toll-free 24 hour emergency phone numbersinclude: Ambulance 999 Fire Brigade 998 Police 997 Mobile Phone Holders Assistance 112 Tourists can use the following emergency number in

operation during the whole summer season: 0-800 200300, +(48-22) 601 55 55.

Tourist information it

BIAYSTOKtel. +(48-85) 653 79 50, fax 743 51 13www.city.bialystok.pl, [email protected]

BIELSKO-BIAAtel. +(48-33) 819 00 50, fax 819 00 61

www.it.bielsko.pl, [email protected] BYDGOSZCZtel./fax +(48-52) 348 23 73www.it.byd.pl, [email protected]

CHEMtel. +(48-82) 565 36 67, tel./fax 565 41 85www.um.chelm.pl/it/, [email protected]

CRACOWtel. +(48-12) 421 77 06, fax 421 30 36www.mcit.pl, [email protected]

CZSTOCHOWAtel. +(48-34) 368 22 50, fax 368 22 60www.czestochowa.um.gov.pl, [email protected]

ELBLGtel./fax +(48-55) 232 42 34www.it.elblag.com.pl, [email protected]

GDASKtel. +(48-58) 301 43 55, fax 301 66 37www.it.gdansk.pl, [email protected]

GDYNIAtel. +(48-58) 621 77 51, tel./fax 621 77 24www.gdynia.pl/it, [email protected], [email protected]

GIYCKOtel. +(48-87) 428 52 65, fax 428 57 60www.gizycko.turystyka.pl, [email protected]

GNIEZNOtel./fax +(48-61) 428 41 [email protected]

JELENIA GRAtel./fax +(48-75), 767 69 35, 755 88 45www.sudety.it.pl, [email protected], [email protected]

KALISZtel./fax +(48-62) 764 21 84www.kalisz.pl, [email protected]

KATOWICEtel. +(48-32) 259 38 08, fax 259 33 69www.um.katowice.pl, [email protected]


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KAZIMIERZ DOLNYtel./fax +(48-81) 882 13 11, www.kazimierz-dolny.com.pl, [email protected]

KIELCEtel. +(48-41) 367 64 36, fax 345 86 81www.um.kielce.pl, [email protected]

KOOBRZEGtel./fax +(48-94) 352 79 39

[email protected], [email protected] KROSNO

tel./fax +(48-13) 432 77 07www.beskidniski.info, [email protected]

LUBLINtel. +(48-81) 532 44 12, fax 442 35 56www.turystyka.lubelskie.pl, [email protected]

Dtel./fax +(48-42) 638 59 55www.iturysta.pl, [email protected], [email protected]

NOWY SCZ

tel. +(48-18) 444 24 22, fax 443 55 97www.nowysacz.pl, [email protected] OLSZTYN

tel. +(48-89) 535 35 66, tel./fax 535 35 66www.warmia.mazury.pl, [email protected]

OPOLEtel. +(48-77) 451 19 87, fax 541 14 20www.opole.pl, [email protected]

POCKtel./fax +(48-24) 262 94 97www.ump.pl, [email protected]

POZNAtel. +(48-61) 851 96 45, 94 31, fax 856 04 54www.cim.poznan.pl, [email protected]

PRZEMYLtel. +(48-16) 675 16 64, tel./fax 678 73 09www.przemysl.pl, [email protected]

RZESZWtel./fax +(48-17) 852 46 11www.rcit.res.pl, [email protected]

SUWAKItel./fax +(48-87) 566 58 [email protected]

SZCZECINtel. +(48-91) 489 16 30, fax 434 02 86www.zamek.szczecin.pl/[email protected]

TARNWtel. +(48-14) 627 87 35, 627 87 36, fax 628 34 [email protected]

TORUtel. +(48-56) 621 09 31, fax 621 09 30www.it.torun.pl, [email protected]

WARSAWtel. +(48-22) 94 31, fax 524 11 43www.warsawtour.pl, [email protected]

WABRZYCHtel./fax +(48-74) 842 20 00www.region-walbrzych.org.pl, [email protected]

WROCAWtel. +(48-71) 344 31 11, fax 344 29 62www.dot.org.pl, [email protected]

ZAKOPANEtel. +(48-18) 201 22 11, fax 206 60 51

www.zakopane.pl, [email protected] ZAMOtel. +(48-84) 639 22 92, fax 627 08 13www.zamosc.pl, [email protected]

ZIELONA GRAtel./fax +(48-68) 323 22 [email protected]

Branches of the PolishTourist Organisation Abroad

AUSTRIAWientel. +(43-1) 524 719 112, fax 524 719 120www.poleninfo.at, [email protected]

BELGIUM Brusseltel. +(32-2) 740 06 20, fax 742 37 35www.polska-be.com, [email protected]

FRANCE Paristel. +(33-1) 42 44 19 00, fax 42 97 52 25www.tourisme.pologne.net [email protected]

GERMANYBerlintel. +(49-30) 210 09 20, fax 210 092 14www.polen-info.de, [email protected]

GREAT BRITAIN Londontel. +(44-20) 7580 88 11, 7580 66 88, fax 7580 88 66www.visitpoland.org, [email protected]

HOLLAND Amsterdamtel. +(31-20) 625 35 70, fax 623 09 29http://poleninfo.tripod.com, [email protected]

HUNGARYBudapesttel. +(36-1) 269 78 09, fax 269 78 10www.polska-tourist.info.hu, [email protected]

ITALYRomatel. +(39-06) 482 70 60, fax 481 75 69www.polonia.it, [email protected]

RUSSIAMoscowtel. +(07-95) 510 61 10, fax 510 61 11www.visitpoland.ru, [email protected]

SPAIN Madridtel. +(34) 91 541 48 08, fax 91 541 34 23www.visitapolonia.org, [email protected]

SWEDEN Stockholmtel. +(46-8) 21 81 45; 21 60 75, fax 21 04 65www.tourpol.com, [email protected]

USANew Yorktel. +(1-201) 420 99 10, fax 584 91 [email protected], www.polandtour.org


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CopyrightbyPolskaOrganizacjaTurystyczna,Warszawa2003

GB 2003Publisher: Polska Organizacja Turystyczna / Polish Tourist Organisation

ul. Chaubiskiego 4/6, 00-928 Warszawatel. +(48-22) 630 17 36, fax +(48-22) 630 17 42e-mail: [email protected],www.pot.gov.pl

Editor: Artintro; Text: Jan Wysokiski; Translation; Jan K. MilckiGraphic layout: Aldona Dawid, Joanna Czerwiska - Jdrych;

Photographs: D. Czerwiski, G. Jdrych, J. Morek ; POT A. Czasnoj, M. Czasnoj, M. Grychowski, K. Jaboski, A. Janicki, Z. Kulik, J. apiski, T. Matkowski,St. Michta, Ch. Parma, R. Czerwiski, A. Sodkowski, M. Szymaski, L. wicicki, J. Undro, A. Voellnagel ; PWN J. Bednarczyk, G. Gazka ; Archives PWN ;FORUM K. Wjcik ; rep./PAIMap: Indeed Poland

ISBN 83-7336-240-1


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Polish Tourist Organisationul. Chaubiskiego 4/6

00-928 Warsawtel. (+48 22) 630 17 36fax (+48 22) 630 17 42e-mail: [email protected]

www.pot.gov.pl

POLAND - European Tradition and Modernity

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Transcript of POLAND - European Tradition and Modernity