The WYD 2016, a meeting of Catholic youth in Krakow, has ended, and some echoes of those who visited Poland can still be heard. On this subject, in this space we will refer to those interesting tourist aspects experienced by young people, which are valid for all those who wish to visit this beautiful country, which has an area of 312,683 square kilometers and a population of approximately 38.5 million people:
1.- Background data:
- The State of Poland, a country of warm and receptive people, has existed since 966 and has had to overcome adversity on many occasions, such as the two world wars in which it was divided and invaded.
- Birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, Frederick Chopin, the greatest Polish composer, as well as novelists and poets such as Czesłow Miłosz and Wisława Szymborska, winners of the Nobel Prize for literature. Several Polish filmmakers, including Roman Polanski, have achieved international fame.
- Poland is one of the most religious European countries, with approximately 75% of its population practicing Roman Catholics, and is the birthplace of Pope John Paul II.
- Poland was the first country in Eastern Europe to abandon communism, following the historic action of the Solidarity Movement led by trade unionist Lech Walesa, later Nobel Peace Prize winner.
2.- Places of greatest interest:
2.1.- Urban tourism:Which allows us to enjoy its beautiful architecture, gastronomy, museums, historical wealth, shows and walks.Highlights include Warsaw, the capital of Poland, with approximately 1,700,000 inhabitants, famous for its association with the Treaty, the Convention, the Pact and the Warsaw Uprising. The historic city of Krakow, whose places of interest include the Wawel Cathedral, the City Hall, the Market Square and the Wawel Castle. Torun, a World Heritage city, and Lublin, important for its numerous philharmonic orchestras and theatres.
2.2.- Historical tourism about the Second World War:Auschwitz, the largest concentration camp in Nazi Germany, stands out; the Treblinka extermination camp, whose sordid memories remain, and Schindler’s factory, which almost went bankrupt because its owner paid to save the lives of Polish Jews.
2.3.- Religious tourism:Wadowice, the birthplace of St. John Paul II, is worth mentioning, where you can visit the museum built in his memory.The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, where the image of this devotion is exhibited, just as it was revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska. The sanctuary of the Black Madonna, Jasna Gora, in Częstochowa, which is the most visited in Eastern Europe.
In addition to all this, there is also the relative proximity to the three European Imperial capitals, which can be included in the tour: Budapest, Vienna and Prague.
