The Best Stunning Lower Silesia # Poland
Ksiaz Castle: In 2015 this place made global headlines after two treasure hunters claimed a Nazi train full of gold was buried under its ramparts. Nothing was found, but there's a vast network of underground tunnels dug by the Nazis and rumors the bastion was being lined up as Hitler's headquarters. Perched on a hill surrounded by forest near the town of Walbrzych, Książ Castle is one of the most impressive sights in the country. Wroclaw Old Town: Picturesque Wroclaw is the economic, cultural and educational powerhouse of Lower Silesia and one of Poland's top attractions. Wroclaw, Ostrow Tumski: Charming Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) is one of the city's main highlights, alongside Centennial Hall and the Aula Leopoldina in the University. Aula Leopoldina, Wroclaw: The Baroque hall of the Aula Leopoldina in the Museum of the University of Wroclaw is a frescoed delight, while the best views of the Old Town can be found in the university's Mathematical Tower. Wrocław Afrykarium: Wroclaw is home to the oldest and most impressive zoo in Poland. The unique Afrykarium is an oceanarium dedicated to the fauna of Africa. Klodzko Old Town: Set in a valley encircled by the Sudetes mountain range, charming Klodzko has Czech-influenced architecture, a splendid Gothic stone bridge and an impressive fortress with breathtaking views. Klodzko fortress: With far-reaching views over the town and countryside and a fascinating network of underground tunnels to explore, the castle at Klodkzo is one of the highlights of a visit. Church of Peace, Swidnica: The Churches of Peace are timber-framed religious buildings that were constructed by the Silesian Protestants after the conclusion of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Originally there were three but only two have survived, in Jawor and Świdnica. The largest timber-framed churches in Europe, the Churches of Peace have impressive interiors with Baroque ornaments and splendid altars. Ząbkowice Śląskie: Famous for its former Germanic name Frankenstein, which is said to have inspired Mary Shelley's novel, Polish Ząbkowice Śląskie is now on the tourist trail with sights like the Leaning Tower, dubbed the Silesian Pisa. Skull Chapel in Czermna: Outside it may look like a small, charming Baroque chapel. Inside, it's a palace of death. Its walls and ceiling are decorated with 3,000 skulls and bones belonging to the victims of wars and diseases. Vang Stave Church: The wooden church, built without a single nail, was founded in the 12th century in Vang parish in southern Norway. It was bought by famous Norwegian painter J.C. Dahl in 1841 to save it from demolition and re-erected on its present site in the Karkonosze Mountains. Lubiaz Abbey: Lower Silesia is renowned as a land of abbeys, but perhaps the most famous is Lubiąż, the largest Cistercian monastery in the world. Its checkered past includes a spell as a Nazi research laboratory for V1 and V2 rockets before the Soviet army made itself at home. Jelenia Gora: With a large number of spectacular palaces, beautiful historic gardens and a charming historic center, the Jelenia Góra valley is often nicknamed the Polish Loire after the world-famous French region. Błędne Skały: This magical labyrinth of giant rocks in the Stołowe Mountains National Park was used as a location for the film Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Nicknamed the Polish Narnia, its unusual mushroom-shaped boulders, mysterious caverns and picturesque gorges are the perfect setting for a fantasy movie. Szczeliniec Wielki: The best views of the surrounding valleys and Sudetes range can be seen from the panoramic terrace on the top of Szczeliniec Wielki, the highest peak (919 meters) in the Table Mountains National Park. Polanica-Zdroj: Relaxing atmosphere, beautiful walking paths, luxurious health resorts and proximity to the majority of the regional attractions make the small city of Polanica-Zdrój one of the most popular spa destinations in Poland.
09 The underground complex of Osówka
The complex of Osówka features an underground tourist trail, winding through a system of concrete corridors, reinforcements and halls, which were built as part of a large-scale construction project carried out by the Nazis in 1943. The construction was kept in secret and for this reason its exact purpose remains unknown. Some believe the complex was to become an underground factory of secret weapons, but notes from a journal by Albert Speer suggest it was meant to be the largest and the most complex of Hitler's headquarters constructed in Lower Silesia within the so-called Project Riese. The over-ground part of the Osówka Complex makes for the outer facilities of the underground complex. Of these, the most interesting are the two objects known as the Casino and the Power Plant. The underground trail was opened for tourists on 5 March 1996. Visitors can walk 1500 metres of corridors and chambers that hold the untold secrets of history. It is the longest and the most interesting underground complex of the Owl Mountains.
Wellington Caves Arras 17.04.16
We visited Wellington Caves in Arras, which was part of miles of tunnels and caves which I believe housed over 25,000 allied troops under German noses for up to 8 days in WW1. It was some very brave researchers that ventured way below ground into these dark, damp tunnels wearing tin hats. It was a complete assault to our senses as you can see from the video I took. We can only begin to imagine what it was like for all those brave lads... #lestweforget
@PoppyWales @namesonstone
ONE LAP: Polish Cup #1 - Diverse Downhill Contest 2016
Helmet Cam from practice run at Polish Cup #1, Międzybrodzie Żywieckie, Mount Żar, Poland, 23-24.04.2016