There are fourteen World Heritage sites in Poland. You might want to explore some of them during your stay. The places in Małopolska region are:
- Historic Centre of Kraków – (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978) has evolved over a period of almost 1000 years, constituting one of the most superb artistic and cultural complexes in Europe which includes Wawel Castle’s pre-Romanesque stone buildings, the majestic silhouette of St. Mary’s Basilica and the famous medieval trade halls ‘Sukiennice’.
- Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines – (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978 and extended in 2013) located in the south of Poland, are one of the oldest such industrial enterprise in the world. Constructed in the 13th century, they were an important source of income for the Polish treasury in the old days of Polish monarchs. Should you wish to find out more about salt exploatation do not forget to visit the Cracow Saltworks Museum Wieliczka, and dedicated websites: Wieliczka Salt Mine and Bochnia Salt Mine
- Auschwitz Birkenau, German Nazi Concentration and Extermination camp (1940-1945) – (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979) this German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp was built during German occupation. It was the main and the largest of the six existing complexes of this kind, where it is estimated over 1 million people were killed.
- Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: The Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park – (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999) the first complex of its kind in Poland. Its original design solutions remain unique on a European scale, as does the remarkable way in which to blends in with surrounding landscapes.
- Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska – (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003) six the oldest and best-preserved wooden churches of the Carpathian Foothills which continue to serve their original functions, with some being exceptionally significant in religious terms due to the fact that they house religious images which have attained cult status.
- Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine – (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2013) sixteen tserkvas located on both the Polish and the Ukrainian side of the border, they are examples of the long-standing tradition of wooden ecclesiastical buildings of the Carpathian region, born out of the cultural convergence of the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.
For other Polish World Heritage Sites, please visit:
- Białowieża Forest (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979 and extended in 1992 and 2014)
- Historic Centre of Warsaw (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980)
- Old City of Zamość (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1992)
- Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997)
- Medieval Town of Toruń (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997)
- Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2001)
- Muskauer Park/Park Mużakowski (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004)
- Centennial Hall in Wrocław (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006)
To find out more please visit zabytek.pl or the World Heritage Centre website.