The castle in Moszna is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable attractions in the Opole Province, and its fairy-tale architecture attracts tourists from all over Poland and abroad. Often referred to as the 'Polish Disneyland', this extraordinary building impresses with its 99 towers and turrets and 365 rooms - one for each day of the year! The history of the castle dates back to the 17th century, but its present stunning shape is due to the reconstruction at the turn of the 20th century, when it belonged to the Tiele-Winckler family, Silesian industrialists and coal tycoons.

The castle is surrounded by a beautiful 200-hectare park with specimens of old-growth trees, including more than 300-year-old oaks. In spring, the castle park is famous for its blooming azaleas and rhododendrons, creating a fairy-tale setting that attracts photographers and lovers of romantic walks. Interestingly, there is a mysterious legend associated with the castle about the ghost of Xaver, the former owner, who is said to still roam the corridors of the building in search of his beloved.

Today, the castle operates a hotel, restaurant and conference center, which allows for a longer stay in this magical place. For lovers of history and architecture, regular guided tours are organized, during which you can learn fascinating stories and secrets of the castle. It's worth knowing that the site is accessible all year round, although it experiences its greatest siege from May to September.

Just a few dozen kilometers from the fairytale castle is a completely different, but equally fascinating attraction - JuraPark Krasiejów. This unique theme park is a real paradise for lovers of prehistory and dinosaurs. On an area of more than 40 hectares, we can travel back in time millions of years and stand eye to eye with life-size models of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.

JuraPark was built on the site of a sensational paleontological discovery - in 1993, scientists here came across one of Europe's largest burial grounds of Triassic reptiles and amphibians from 225 million years ago. It was this discovery that inspired the creation of the park, which combines entertainment and education. The park features more than 200 dinosaur models, made with attention to detail and in accordance with the latest paleontological knowledge.

One of the JuraPark's biggest attractions is the Tunnel of Time, a multimedia journey through the history of the Universe, from the Big Bang to modern times. Also worth a visit is the Paleontological Pavilion, where you can see authentic fossils discovered in Krasiejów, including the unique amphibian Silesaurus opolensis, which is the hallmark of the place.

The park also offers many attractions for the youngest - playgrounds, a 5D cinema, a prehistoric oceanarium and an amusement park with carousels and other equipment. There is also a swimming area and a rope park in the summer season. JuraPark Krasiejów is a place where the whole family can spend a fun-filled day, combining science with fun.

Opole has been associated with the National Festival of Polish Song for decades, so it's no wonder that it's here that the unique Museum of Polish Song was established. This modern institution, opened in 2016, is located in the building of the Millennium Amphitheater - an iconic building where the famous Opole festivals have been held since 1963. The museum is a real treasure trove of knowledge about the history of Polish popular music and a place that can delight both older and younger visitors.

The interior of the museum is a space full of multimedia and interactive exhibits. The main attraction is the permanent exhibition 'History of Polish Song', which presents the development of domestic popular music from the 1920s to the present day. Visitors can use modern multimedia stations, where they can use headphones to listen to more than 2,000 songs, watch archival recordings of music videos and festival performances, and learn about artists' biographies.

One of the museum's most beloved attractions are the karaoke booths, where anyone can try their hand at performing their favorite Polish hits. No less popular are the 'magic mirrors' that allow one to try on virtually the stage costumes of famous artists. The museum also has an impressive collection of memorabilia related to the stars of the Polish stage - musical instruments, records, awards, stage costumes and many other personal items belonging to the legends of Polish music.

Interestingly, the museum houses the original piano of Władysław Szpilman, the protagonist of the film 'The Pianist,' as well as Czesław Niemen's guitar and Anna Jantar's dress. For lovers of the Opole Festival, there is a special room dedicated to the history of the event, where you can see all the famous 'Karolinka' - the statuettes presented to the winners of the competition.

A completely different character, but equally fascinating experience, is offered by the Opole Village Museum - one of the largest and most interesting open-air museums in Poland. Located on the outskirts of Opole, in the Bierkowice district, the open-air museum covers an area of more than 10 hectares and presents the traditional wooden architecture of the Opole region. It is a place where history comes to life, allowing visitors to travel back in time to a former Silesian village.

The museum was established in 1961 with the main goal of saving valuable monuments of rural wooden architecture from destruction. Over the years, dozens of original buildings from various parts of the Opole region, dating from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, have been transferred to the open-air museum. Among them are residential cottages, farm buildings, windmills, a water mill, a blacksmith shop, an inn and a wooden church.

A unique object is the 18th-century wooden church from Grêboszów, with original interior furnishings, including a Baroque altar and pulpit. No less interesting is an inn from Chechlo, which now houses a restaurant serving traditional Silesian dishes. Each of the buildings has been carefully reconstructed and furnished with authentic equipment, furniture and tools, giving an idea of the daily life of the former inhabitants of the Silesian countryside.

The museum is famous for organizing periodic folklore events and traditional crafts workshops. Particularly popular are the 'Folklore Fairs', during which one can admire performances by folk groups, purchase handicrafts and taste regional delicacies. There are also workshops on painting Opole porcelain, baking traditional bread or making butter, which are very popular among families with children.

An interesting fact is that the open-air museum houses a unique collection of figural beehives, including the famous Silesian beehives in the shape of saints and animal figures. Also worth noting are the rich collections of glass paintings and a collection of traditional folk costumes from the Opole region.

The Opole Zoological Garden, although not one of the largest in Poland, certainly deserves to be called one of the most interesting. Situated picturesquely on the Bolko Island, surrounded by a park and the Relief Canal, it is the perfect place for a family trip and a close encounter with exotic animals. The history of the Opole zoo dates back to 1936, making it one of the oldest zoos in Poland. After the destruction of the war, it was reactivated in 1953, and since then it has been constantly developing, gaining recognition among both residents of the region and tourists.

An area of about 20 hectares is home to more than 1,000 animals representing some 280 species from all continents. The garden is famous for breeding endangered species, participating in international conservation programs. A particular pride of the Opole zoo are the lowland gorillas, whose breeding is one of the most successful in Europe. It is worth knowing that in 2010 Lolango, the first lowland gorilla born in a Polish zoo, was born here.

One of the zoo's biggest attractions is the giraffe and rhino pavilion, opened in 2017, which allows visitors to observe these majestic animals up close. No less popular are the enclosures of Asiatic lions, Siberian tigers and brown bears. For lovers of small mammals, there is a pavilion of small carnivores, where you can admire, among others, suricates, mangabeys and fennecs - desert foxes with distinctive large ears.

The Opole zoo is also famous for its extensive collection of reptiles and amphibians, presented in a modern terrarium. Here you can see rare species of snakes, lizards, turtles and amphibians, including some of the world's most venomous snakes - mambas and cobras. A special attraction for the youngest visitors is the 'mini-zoo', where children can observe and feed tame farm animals up close.

It is worth mentioning the 'Night World' pavilion, which is unique in Poland, where, thanks to the reversal of the diurnal cycle, one can observe the activity of animals leading a nocturnal lifestyle, such as sloths, lotopalans and cousins. This is a fascinating experience, allowing you to see the behavior of animals that in traditional zoos remain hidden from the eyes of visitors.

The Opole Zoo is not just a place to exhibit animals, but also an important educational center. Nature lessons for schools, thematic workshops and animal feeding demonstrations are regularly organized here. During the summer season, 'Nights at the Zoo' are held - unique events that allow visitors to get to know the zoo after dark, when many animals show increased activity.

Comparing all the described attractions of the Opole region, it is worth noting their diversity, which allows you to tailor your sightseeing program to individual preferences. Moszna Castle and JuraPark Krasiejów are places that require dedicating at least half a day to visiting, while museums can be visited in less time. In terms of price, the Opole Village Museum is the cheapest option, while JuraPark Krasiejów is the most expensive, especially if you plan to take in all the attractions.

For families with children, the best choice would be JuraPark Krasiejów and Zoo Opole, which offer the most attractions for the youngest. History and architecture lovers should focus on the Moszna Castle and the Opole Village Museum. In turn, the Museum of Polish Song is a treat for fans of popular music and culture. Regardless of the places chosen, the Opole region is sure to surprise with its diversity and wealth of attractions that can satisfy even the most demanding tourists.