Visiting Krosno and its’ neighborhood

Posted by Kasia 1 Comment
Jan 21 2012

Today I wanted to give you some ideas what is worth seeing if you are in Krosno area. A charming town in southern Poland, Krosno is primarily known as a big glass-manufacturing center. It also boasts numerous historic attractions, including splendid medieval churches and ancient tenement houses. A number of cultural events give Krosno its special atmosphere, the best known of which are the cyclical Krosno Theatre Festival and the open-air events of the Mountain Ballooning Competition (A mountain Balloon Competition is one of most beautiful and most spectacular events in Poland. The party has international character), Karpaty Climates and Krosno Fair. The town makes the ideal stay over because of its proximity to major routes leading to Slovakia and Hungary.

While sightseeing the town of Krosno you should visit its beautiful churches. Erected in the 14th century, the Gothic parish church was reconstructed and extended in the 17th century. Its interior features several gems, including a main altar from the 16th century, baroque stalls, tombstones and sculptures. Notable for its fine stucco decorations is an early-baroque chapel, built in the years 1647-1648 by an Italian architect. Last but not least, the 15th Franciscan church is also well worth a visit. Yet another of Krosno’s treasures, one that definitely deserves a mention, is the huge bell known as “Urban”. Weighing 5 tonnes, it is one of Poland’s biggest bells.

Besides historic monuments, the town has two interesting museums – the Museum of Craftsmanship and the District Museum. In the latter visitors will enjoy a rich collection of antique paraffin lamps as well as collections related to archaeology, history and the folk culture of both Krosno and its surroundings.

Once you have seen all there is to see in Krosno, you can proceed to some distinctive places in the region of the Low Beskid and Pogórze, such as the spa towns of Rymanów and Iwonicz, the open-air museum devoted to the oil industry in the village of Bóbrka, Odkrzykon Castle and the “Prządki” stone preservation.

Did I miss something?Let us know if you have other suggestions for the must see in Krosno!

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

Kurozwęki Palace – historic place to stay

Posted by Kasia 2 Comments
Jan 20 2012

There are many historic places to stay in Poland, including majestic palaces and rustic farmhouses. One of them is Kurozwęki Castle, in the southern region of Świętokrzyskie.

Like many historic castles, palaces and stately homes in Poland, Kurozwęki Castle has had several owners over the centuries. Originally built in the 16th century for the Kurozwęcki family, which gave the castle its name, it was then owned by the Lanckoroński family. It was transformed into a Baroque and Neo-classical style residence by Maciej Sołtyk towards the end of the 18th century. Today, Kurozwęki Castle is owned by Marcin Popiel and his family; direct descendants of the Kurozwęki family, making it one of very few historic properties to come full circle return to the heirs of the original owners.

The Popiel family has invested, and indeed continues to invest, in the reconstruction of Kurozwęki Castle, employing local craftsmen who take great pride in applying traditional methods and techniques to the process. While this may mean that progress may be slow, the Popiels are confident that patience will pay off, and that the end results will be worthwhile in the long run. One of the most impressive examples of the restoration work currently being undertaken is an ancient yet well-preserved mural in the Kurozwęki chapel.

Kurozwęki Castle’s two annexes contain comfortable apartments, each with classically styled interiors. There is also a conservatory, a lounge and a banqueting hall. It is a great place for families to spend a short break – especially those with small children. There are sight-seeing trails that have been created with younger guests in mind, and there is even a small zoo, where pony and camel rides are on offer. A further attraction is a labyrinth carved in a field of maize. With a total of 4km of alleys, it is the largest of its kind in Poland, if not in Europe.

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

Oscypek

Posted by Kasia 2 Comments
Jan 20 2012

Have you ever tried oscypek – the most famous Polish cheese? It is a smoked cheese made from the salted sheep milk (don’t buy imitations made from cow’s milk) and formed in traditional wooden forms. Oscypek is an absolute “must taste” when you visiting Polish mountains. Very tasty when served with red wine or smoked fish.

It is produced in the original form of small, spindle-like blocks with typical regional decorating pattern. Oscypek is one of tourist attractions of Polish mountains. You can eat it as cold or hot (grilled and served with the cranberry). Fresh oscypek is really tasty. One can buy it early in the morning, right after the production, in shepherd’s huts, which you would come across in mountain valleys.

The first mention of cheese production in the Tatra Mountains dates back to the 15th century, in a document from the village of Ochotnica in 1416. The first recorded recipe for oscypek was issued in 1748 in the Żywiec area.

Before Poland voted to join the European Union, some Polish Eurosceptics warned that oscypek could be banned in the EU due to its use of unpasteurized milk and its production by unlicensed farmers. No action has been taken yet against the sale or production of the cheese.

There is also a smaller form called redykołka, known as the ‘younger sister’ of oscypek.

I really like oscypek…I wish I would be able to find it in US…

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

Wolf’s Lair in Kętrzyn

Posted by Kasia 1 Comment
Jan 19 2012

I’m sure that most of you who are really interested in WWII history know about this place. Poland is currently looking for an investor to turn the “Wolf’s Lair” of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler into a tourist attraction.

Wolf's Lair partially destroyed bunker

The ruins of Hitler’s fortress complex deep in the woodlands of northeastern Poland  is famed as the site of an assassination attempt on Hitler by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and popularized by a 2008 film starring Tom Cruise.

The Wolf’s Lair served as one of Hitler’s military headquarters during World War Two and was destroyed by the Nazi forces as they retreated in early 1945.

The site, whose name refers to Hitler’s nickname, “Mr. Wolf”,  consisted of 80 buildings at its peak and is owned by the local forestry authority.

Hitler's Bunker at Wolf's Lair

“We are waiting for offers, but so far we have none,” local forestry official Zenon Piotrowicz said.

“The requirements are quite high because we want a new leaseholder to invest a lot, particularly in a museum with an exhibition that could be open all year long.”

The remaining ruins are open to the public, but do not attract many visitors because they are hidden deep in a forest and accessible only by treacherous dirt roads.

The fortress near the Russian border was built in 1940 and 1941 to protect Hitler and other top Nazi officials from air bombardment during Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. It had its own power plant and a railway station.

The complex was heavily camouflaged deep inside a forest and surrounded by a minefield, which took 10 years to clear after the war.

Here is a great article written by Norbert, who visited Wolf’s Lair:

http://www.globotreks.com/destinations/wolfs-lair-hitlers-bunker-poland/

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

Corin perfect bra

Posted by Kasia 1 Comment
Jan 17 2012

A new perfect bra that allows a woman’s breasts to move naturally at the same time as supporting them has been designed by Polish scientists.

The team were commissioned to design a bra that did not squeeze or compress the breast and yet allowed it to retain a natural shape to avoid many of the unhealthy complications caused by other modern bras.

And the team now claim to have designed the perfect ‘health bra’ after using computer mapping to eliminate pressure points.

Scientists at the ‘Institute of Healthy Polish Mothers’ in the city of Łódź spent more than two years carefully designing the bra that as well as offering maximum comfort by allowing the breast to move freely, also helps prevent against breast cancer.

“Women often buy bras that are too small in the bust and this is not only uncomfortable but looks bad and can lead to serious problems,” said team leader Marek Zadrożny.

“As a result of fasteners which are too loose or too tight, the cups cause abnormal movement of the lymphatic tissue, which studies have shown can lead to the development of breast cancer,” he added.

The design process however was a complicated one explains Mariusz Hanczka, Managing Director of Corin, the company commissioned to make the bras.

“First we constructed silhouettes of women using 3D technology, then created a 3D bra on-screen. We were able to examine the pressure caused by the bra by viewing red dots on the various breasts. These meant the breasts were constricted in these areas. We kept repeating this process until we had a perfect model.”

The bras were then produced and tested on women, with aspects such as temperature and constriction being once again measured using the same on-screen technology.

The research performed by Corin turned out to be successful in new bra model, after months of research, cups and their shape willevenly distribute the pressure applied to the breast. Results of conducted analysis have already been implemented and used in creating latest collections. New, healthy bras manufactured by Corin will not cause unnecessary pressure and at the same time are most comfortable.Time will show how applying innovative technologies works out for everyday use.

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

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