Poland — Media Gallery

Saint Mary's Church in Gdansk as seen from Mariacka (Saint Mary's Gate). Saint Mary's, built between 1343 and 1502, is the largest brick church in the world, and can hold 25,000 people.

The barbican in Warsaw's Old Town.

Castle Square, with Zygmunt's Column, in Warsaw.

The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw is the tallest building in Poland; it was built between 1952 and 1955 as a gift to Poland by the Soviet Union. For decades the building was hated by the Poles, who considered it a symbol of Soviet domination. Since the fall of the Soviet Bloc, however, the structure's negative symbolism has diminished. The building currently serves as an exhibition center and office complex

The Green Gate in Gdansk, built between 1568 and 1571 at the end of the city's Long Market, served as the residence of visiting Polish monarchs.

Entrance to the Auschwitz I concentration camp. The slogan over the gate translates as "Work makes you free." At the conclusion of World War II, the Polish Government established a memorial museum to honor the more than 1 million victims who died at this and surrounding camps.

Saint Anne's Church outside the Palace at Wilanow in Warsaw.

The north face (rear) of the Palac na Wodzie (Palace on the Water) located in the Park Lazienkowsi (Royal Baths Park) - the largest park in Warsaw. Built in the 17th century, the structure was remodeled in the 18th century and became a royal residence. The building is now a beautiful and harmonious mixture of architectural styles.

The Palac na Wodzie (Palace on the Water) located in the Park Lazienkowsi (Royal Baths Park) in Warsaw as seen during a downpour. The palace stands on an artificial island in Lazienki Lake, which it divides in two. The building is connected to the rest of the park by two arcaded bridges.

Wilanow Palace in Warsaw is one of the most important examples of Polish Baroque architecture. King Jan (John) III Sobieski ordered its construction in the late 17th century. The palace was enlarged by other owners in subsequent centuries.

Warsaw Uprising Memorial in Warsaw.

View of the corps de logis (large central block) of Wilanow Palace in Warsaw.

The bronze Frederic Chopin Monument in the Park Lazienkowski (Royal Baths Park) in Warsaw, erected in 1926.

Some of the flower beds on the periphery of Wilanow Palace in Warsaw.

The Bialy Domek (Little White House) is a garden villa in the Park Lazienkowski (Royal Baths Park) in Warsaw.

The gateway leading to Wilanow Palace in Warsaw.

Interesting architectural details in the brick and stone facade of a Warsaw building.

The Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Stanislaw and Vaclav, also known as the Wawel Cathedral, in Krakow.

An altar constructed of salt in the Wieliczka salt mines.

A Gdansk Town Hall was first constructed in the 14th century and then added to over a period of more than 200 years. The current structure dates to the late 16th century.

A view of the inner harbor of Gdansk. The city lies on the southern shore of Gdansk Bay on the mouth of the Motlawa River.

The Golden Gate in Gdansk, erected between 1612 and 1614, leads to Long Street and Long Market on the Royal Road.

The inner harbor of Gdansk with its distinctive medieval port crane, which was used to hoist cargo and fit masts. Built in 1367, the crane (called Krantor) was rebuilt in the middle of the 15th century.

The setting sun's last rays highlight some high-altitude polar mesospheric clouds (noctilucent clouds) and silhouette two storks in a nesting platform.

A closer view of the Frederic Chopin Monument in the Park Lazienkowski (Royal Baths Park) in Warsaw.

Another view of the Palace of Culture and Science, the tallest building in Poland with 42 stories. Its total height is 231 m (757 ft), which includes a 43 m spire. The building contains 3,288 rooms.

Barracks at the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) concentration camp. The camp and surrounding satellite camps were built by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II. Following the war, the Polish Government established a memorial museum to honor the more than 1 million victims who died at the camp.

The infamous entrance building to the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) death camp in Oswiecim. The camp was built by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II. Over 1 million people died at this camp and surrounding satellite camps. The vast majority of the victims were Jews, but some Poles, Roma, and other Eastern European ethnic groups were also included. Following the war, the Polish Government decided to preserve part of the camp complex as a memorial museum.

The Neptune Fountain in Gdansk is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. First erected as a statue in 1549, it was converted into a fountain in 1633. The monument fronts a merchant house near the Town Hall.

Area comparison map

The interior courtyard of Wawel Castle in Krakow.

The Town Hall of Gdansk as seen through the arch of the Golden Gate.