Poland's Mazovia Region

This region, Frederic Chopin's birth place, evokes thoughts about rural nature. In the lowlands prevail vast grasslands and farms cut by lanes of broad willows. The soil consists primarily of sand, which is the reason the forests are dominated by pine trees. Other trees to be seen here are oaks, hornbeams, birches and aspen. Willlows and poplars grow in river valleys and somewhat further from the river banks there are ashes and elms. These remains of deep primeval forests, which used to grow all over the region in the Middle Ages, are also the dwelling grounds of some rare animal species such as the moose, lynx, badger, crane, black stork, and the moor buzzard. The Kampinoska Primeval Forest, often called the green lungs of the Polish capital, was declared a national park in the year 1959. The park's priimary role is to protect its unique set of inland dunes and natural plant communities. Other parts of the primeval forests now consist of six scenic parks.

Warsaw City - the Capital of Poland

Occupying the central part of Mazovia, Warsaw is a city of a unique character. It is the most industrialized and the fastest developing city in Poland. The capital of our country has already become an important European city, but as one watches the ever-growing huge glass buildings, which are constructed next to the formerly unbeatable competitor, the Palace of Culture and Science, one gets the impression that the appetite to be a huge and modern centre is insatiable. In this new era, we are likely to forget that this city used to be an archiitectural achievement of the socialist realism, considered by some as a proud feature of national growth, and by others as coarse constructions deteriorating the city charracter. Luckily, the real architectural treasures are wellpreserved even in this rush for greatness and the real pearls of the past are protected with reverence and connsideration, the residuals of which were raised from decay by the inhabitants of Warsaw after the period when the fascist occupant made orders to blow away every house and construction in order to destroy everything. Thereefore, today we can enjoy the Old Town and the Royal Castle in the same condition as they looked before the war, as well as Lazienki Park and Wilanow, and preecious palaces and churches, the ruins of which were to be found all over the town. Just take a walk in Krakowskie PrzedmieScie or Nowy Swiat and you will realise that Warsaw can be really elegant and innteresting aside from its modernity.

South of Warsaw lies a plain where fertile soil and optimal climate helped the existence and development of one of the biggest fruit-growing regions in Poland and where the well-known Konstancin-Jeziorna spa is located.

Zelazowa Wola - Frederic Chopin's birth place

Zelazowa Wola is a tiny but famous village which is visited by thousands of piano music enthusiasts every year. It was here that Frederic Chopin was born in the year 1810. His native house is today a biographical museum, where portraits of him and his family as well as historic nlrniture can be seen.

Among other jewels of Mazovia rank certainly Nieborow and Arkadia, owned in the 18th century by Michal and Helena Radziwill, great patrons of art who created a romantic palace/park complex. Many architecctural details such as classical statues are hidden among thousands of trees and bushes, growing in apparent chaos around the beautiful pond in this park. Lowicz is located in nearby, distinguished by one of the most valuuable urban sights in Mazovia. Chapels, which once stood by roads, are gathered in the Łowicz Museum, together with a splendid collection of traditional folk wear and patterned cut-paper art. But not only Lowicz is known for its folklore. Rich cultural items of the Kurpie people in the north of this region - coloured costumes, carts, traditional handmade products - can be admired not only in various indoor and outdoor museums, but also in the countryside during feasts and festive days.

Lodz City

Łódz lies on the border between Mazovia and Wielkoopolska and it is known as the biggest centre of the textile industry. However, the period of prosperity described, among others, by Wladyslaw Reymont in his novel Promised Land is rather a part of history than reality. The heritage from this period includes, for instance, magnificent blocks of flats or factories and residences, which once belonged to German and Jewish businesssmen. One of the most important residences is Księzy Młyn, one of the biggest laundries of the past century in Europe. At the end of the 19th century and in the early years of the 20th century, it belonged to the 'king of cottron', Karol Scheibler. Many impressive blocks of flats run along Piotrowska Street, which is said to be the longest street in Poland. It is also an impressive centre of entertainment and social life with numerous elegant restaurants, noisy pubs, exclusive shops and street shows.