Poland Guide
Lower Silesia
Changing ownership several times between Poland, Bohemia and Prussia after first being conquered in 990 by Polish king Mieszko I, Lower Silesia was only definitely assigned to Poland in 1945. Mainly Germanic up until that point, most original inhabitants were expelled after the war, with the towns and villages repopulated by refugees originating from all corners of Poland, but especially from what is now western Ukraine. Although the original mix of cultures has been replaced by the Polish monoculture now, the region is economically vibrant, very beautiful in its southern reaches and delightfully easy to get around due to the Prussians' penchant for building railways everywhere.
The best place to begin exploring Lower Silesia is Wrocław, one of Poland's most attractive cities and an enticing cosmopolitan centre which combines modern commercial bustle with the attractions of a medieval Old Town. The landscape around Wrocław is largely made up of level, undramatic arable terrain, although old ducal capitals like Świdnica offer plenty in the way of historical interest.
For natural beauty, it's best to make a beeline for the mountains to the south and west – where the Sudety chain contains some of the most popular recreation areas in the country. Of these, the Karkonosze national park is the easiest to reach from Wrocław, with the regional centre of Jelenia Góra providing access to the skiing and hiking resorts of Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba. Slightly further east, the Kłodzko region's outlying massifs provide some of Poland's best walking country, with refined old health resorts like Kudowa-Zdrój offering everything from spa treatments to winter sports.
Highlights
1 Wrocław The main square of this boisterous, burgeoning city ranks with any in Poland.
2 Churches of Peace The beautiful Unesco-listed timber-framed churches in Jawor and Świdnica are the largest of their kind.
3 Książ One of the most evocative castles in the country, perched fairy-tale-style on a hilltop above the winding River Pełcznica.
4 Riese Tens of thousands of prisoners toiled to build this massive and mysterious underground complex for the Nazis.
5 Karpacz Snugly situated in a narrow wooded valley, this popular holiday village is the gateway to the hiking trails of the Karkonosze mountains.
6 Ziemia Kłodzka An enchanting area of rolling hills and fir-clad mountains, dotted with laid-back spa resorts.