Małopolska

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Sandomierz Tower of the Wawel Castle in Krakow. View from the courtyard of the castle

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Overview

Małopolska, known in English as Lesser Poland, is the sprawling region that brushes up against Kraków. Covering much of the southeast, it’s played an outsized role in Polish history, forming the core of the ancient Polish kingdom. These days, though, it’s mostly passed over by travellers who make a beeline for Kraków and then move on.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Rynek Wielki

Małopolska

The Great Market Sq is the heart of Zamość's attractive Old Town. This impressive Italianate Renaissance square (exactly 100m by 100m) is dominated by the…

Kraków Bishops' Palace

Małopolska

Kielce was the property of the Kraków bishops from the 12th century through to 1789. This palace was built (from 1637 onwards) as one of their seats and…

Arsenal Museum

Małopolska

This museum of military hardware and the city's fortifications is housed in three separate areas along the city's western bastions. Start at the facility…

Krzyżtopór Castle

Małopolska

The minute village of Ujazd (oo-yahst), some 35km west of Sandomierz, is home to arguably Poland’s most bizarre ruin. Krzyżtopór Castle was commissioned…

Benedictine Monastery of Holy Cross

Małopolska

This hilltop monastery got its name from the segment of Jesus’ cross that was supposedly kept here. The abbey is at the top of Łysa Góra (595m). It has a…

Roztocze National Park

Małopolska

The park, which covers an area of 79 sq km, was a nature reserve for more than 350 years as part of the Zamoyski family estate. Today, it’s home to a…

Świętokrzyski National Park

Małopolska

This national park covers around 60 sq km and protects the Świętokrzyski (Holy Cross) Mountains, Poland’s oldest mountainous geological formation (and…

Rotunda & Martyrdom Museum

Małopolska

About 500m southwest of the Old Town is the Rotunda – a ring-shaped fort 54m in diameter surrounding a circular yard. The rotunda was built in the 1820s…

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