*POLAND*
ZYA AND *ASANTI*
Poland's Flag
Poland map
Poland's borders have changed many times over the centuries. Its present borders were set after World War II ended in 1945. Poland has seven neighbors: Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and Russian Kaliningrad.
culture place
Residents of Warsaw joke that the best view of the city is from the observation deck of the Palace of Culture because it is from there that the building itself is not visible. Built in the typical wedding cake style of the Soviet period, the structure was a gift to the city of Warsaw from Stalin as a token of friendship. Today it houses offices and a movie theater. (Warsaw, Poland, August 2008)
Royal castle
The Royal Castle, built during the fourteenth century, was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in 1970s. (Warsaw, Poland, 1998)
Olsztyn castle
Part of the Eagles’ Nests Trail in southern Poland, these are the ruins of one of the major castles in Polish history. This 14th-century castle, built to defend against potential invasions from Bohemians to the west, never had to serve that function but was sacked by the Swedes (1655–60). After this, it became a ruin. (Malopolska, Poland, May 2006)
The Poland Symbol
- This is one of Poland symbol
monuments
Gdansk
Gdansk is an important cultural and economic center for Poland. Mixing both Polish and German cultural traditions, Gdansk is a fascinating and lively city on the Baltic Sea. (Gdansk, Poland, July 2000)
Castle on the lake
Families play on a beach of Lake Czorsztyn. The lake is an artificial reservoir on the Dunajec River, in southern Poland. This popular tourist destination is overlooked by the Niedzica Castle, which was originally built between 1320 and 1326. (Lake Czorsztyn, Poland, June 2012)
Traditional costumes in Poland
A Góralski (Highlander) band performs at a karczma (tavern). A few Polish recording groups keep this type of music alive as pop music. In addition, the people in the Tatra Mountains area still wear their traditional folk costumes (strój) to church on Sundays. (Zakopane, Poland, 2001)
Poland food
Poland berries
These are some of the berries they get from the market.
Poland cheese
These are the traditional polish cheese
Poland Easter basket
These are some of the things people get in their Easter basket in Poland
Holidays
Wet monday
A man, wearing a traditional straw costume, splashes a boy with water during a Polish custom called Smigus Dyngus (Wet Monday) on Easter Monday. Splashing water is supposed to bring health and beauty. (Bialka Tatrzanska, Poland, April 2010)
christmas
- When the first star appears in the night sky, the family gathers to exchange presents and to eat a 12-course meal that doesn’t include meat.
- The holiday season starts early because children receive small gifts from St. Nicholas on 6 December.
- Christmas is one of the most important holidays in Poland.