Did you know that?

The Fortress of Przemysl – built at the turn of the 19th century – was one of the largest complex of fortifications of Europe during the second world war. The fortifications contributed to the slowing of the Russian offensive to the West. The Foretress of Przemysl was besieged three times, in all, the fortresses defended themselves for the longest of 179 days. Only the French fortress Verdun, which did not endure a full siege, sustained itself longer. The fortress currently comprises a 45km range of 15 primary and a few dozen supporting forts. A scenic hiking trail linking the forts is posted by a black stripe. The Solina Lake is the largest artificial lake Poland in terms of volume. The lake is 26 km long, and its coastline measures about 160 km. The Solina Dam is the largest in Poland. It measures 82 metres in height , as much as a 30-storey building. The amount of concrete used to build it would be enough to build a wall along the borders of Poland one metre thick and tall. The Lezajsk organ situated in the Bernardines Basilica is one of the most splendid in the world, and a true rarity. It is equipped with 74 registers and almost 6000 pipes. The organ consists of three independent instruments, forming one architectural structure. Three organists can play it simultaneously. The narrow gauge railway ‘Pogorzanin’ connecting Dynow and Przeworsk is one of few active narrow gauge railways in Poland. By taking a journey on this unusual train you can learn about the over hundred year history of the rail system. Along its route you will pass trough the longest narrow-gauge railway tunnel in Europe – measuring 602 metres. In Stepina, there is a Shelter Complex built by the Germans during World War II. The main object is the 400-metre shelter for ordnance trains. On 27-28 August 1941, Hitler and Mussolini met here. A part of the complex is now submerged in water and some of it is still unexplored. In Trzcinica, near Krosno, the oldest fortified settlement of the Bronze Age was discovered. Approximately 130 thousand relics, most previously unknown to this period, often unique in Europe were found here. These findings prove the connections of Trzcinica with the Mediterranean culture – the settlement has been called ‘the Carpathian Troy’ or ‘The Troy of the North’. Currently an archeological skansen is being formed here, it might become a second Biskupin, the oldest known settlement in Poland.

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