TOP 10 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THE PODKARPACKIE
ŁAŃCUT CASTLE
Check out the best things to see in Poland
One of the best attractions in Poland – Łańcut Castle, built in the 1600s, is one of the most magnificent and best preserved aristocratic residences in Poland (Podkarpackie voivodeship). It the late 19th and early 20th centuries the exterior received its current Neo-Baroque form. The residential interiors, probably the most beautiful in Poland, are a real treasure trove of art. Here tourists among other things can see: chambers from the 1600s, the Sculpture Gallery, the impressive Ball Room and the Grand Dining Room. They will also get a peek into aristocratic bathrooms and bedrooms. A walk in the large park around the Castle is a remarkable experience. Museum also offers a drive in a stylish horse-drawn carriage.
THE BIESZCZADY MOUNTAINS
Many believe the Bieszczady to be the most romantic part of Poland. The Bieszczady Mountains are, of course, located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship.Here visitors can find refuge from the hectic pace of their lives in cities. For years the area has been favoured by artists and people who wish to give up ordinary life-styles. In the Bieszczady one can enjoy mountain climbing and admire amazing scenery. There are easy-going trails, paths leading across the Carpathian mountain pastures as well as more challenging routes. You can take a hiking trip to Mount Kremenaros where the borders of Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia meet. Lake Solina on the other hand is a perfect place for enthusiasts of aquatic sports.The Bieszczady Mountains are one of the most unique natural attractions in Poland.
JEWELS OF RENAISSANCE
The Jewels of Renaissance located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship captivate with their beauty. The Castle in Baranów Sandomierski, built in the late 16th and early 17th century, is a harmonious structure with four cylindrical towers designed by an Italian architect Santi Gucci. The remarkable courtyard and the Art Nouveau chapel, added later, deserve closer attention. The Krasiczyn Castle on the other hand is a perfect example of late Renaissance. A structure with a square floor plan, the castle stands out for the unique layout of four different towers: Papal, Divine, Royal and Noble. These castles are among the most beautiful attractions in Poland.
KROSNO GLASS HERITAGE CENTRE
Krosno Glass Heritage Centre is the first interactive museum in Poland presenting glassmaking techniques and the history of the trade. Tourists can get acquainted with long-time traditions of glassmaking in Krosno in an interesting way. Spectacular attractions of this unique place include the glassmaking shows, in which tourists can take active part. In addition, the Centre holds a gallery presenting artistic glass as well as utility glassware. In the summer season, 3D-mapping shows are displayed on the exterior wall of the building. It's the only attraction of its kind in Poland.
BIESZCZADY FOREST RAILWAY
The history of the Bieszczady Forest Railway goes back to the late 19th century. It’s one of the coolest attractions in Poland. This is a narrow gauge railway with a location at the highest altitude in Poland. “The Choo-choo” takes tourists for rides along the routes from Majdan to Przysłup and from Majdan to Balnica. A journey in a small charming railcar is an unforgettable experience. An additional attraction is the museum located in an old train station, presenting exhibits related to the Bieszczady railway.
OPEN-AIR MUSEUM IN SANOK
Museum of Rural Architecture in Sanok is one of the largest ethnographic parks in Europe and the largest in Poland. It’s also one of the most unique attractions in Poland. There are over 100 architectural structures on display in an area of 38 hectares. The Park is divided into sectors dedicated to the specific ethnic groups: Lemko, Boyko, Dolinianie and Pogórzanie. In the beautiful natural surroundings, near the San river, visitors can go on a unforgettable journey into the past, see the vibrant Galician Market, stop by at a Boyko-style cottage and a Polish-style manor house and admire a beautiful Lemko-style Greek-Catholic church.
UNESCO SITES
In the Podkarpackie Voivodeship there are over 130 unique landmarks located along the Wooden Architecture Route. Its trails located throughout the whole region feature gems of traditional architecture, e.g. wooden Roman-Catholic, Greek-Catholic and Orthodox churches, open-air museums, manors, as well as small town buildings. Six landmarks listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the church in Haczów from the 1400s, the slightly younger church in Blizne and the tserkovs in Chotyniec, Smolnik, Turzańsk and Radruż.
PRZEMYŚL FORTRESS
Przemyśl, with its strategic location, is a perfect destination for military history aficionados. The Przemyśl Fortress with the unique defence systems built by Austrians in the late 19th century ranks among the largest military monuments in Europe. During the First World War it was a place of bloody battles. The entire system comprises 60 forts distributed within two rings of fortifications. The best preserved forts are: Fort I “Salis Sogilo”, Fort VIII “Łętownia” and Fort XV “Borek”. Bunkers of the Molotov Line are also located in Przemyśl.
BRIDLE PATHS
Excellent places for equine tourism are located in the Bieszczady and Low Beskid Mountains as well as the Lubaczów region near the Polish-Ukrainian border. Over 100 horse riding centres provide services for beginners as well as highly experienced riders. Here you can learn how to ride a horse, or take a ride in the area, or enjoy a multi-day horseback riding tour and watch spectacular cattle drives. The adventure is possible thanks to the attractive bridle paths, in total covering a distance of 400 kilometres in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship.
