Guide: 7 Unobvious Places in Poland Associated with World War II

Guide: 7 Unobvious Places in Poland Associated with World War II

June 11, 2025

World War II left a deep mark on Polish history, leaving not only painful memories, but also tangible traces in the form of memorials, museums and artifacts. In this guide, we will take you on a journey through seven non-obvious sites associated with this difficult period. Each offers a unique perspective on the events of long ago, allowing you to better understand and appreciate the history of our country. From modern museums to bunkers hidden in the woods, these sites not only educate, but also make you reflect on the past and its impact on the present. Get ready for an extraordinary history lesson that will touch the hearts and minds of adults and younger explorers alike.

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Modern view of history

Let's begin our journey with a place that presents the history of World War II in an innovative way - the World War II Museum in Gdansk. Located at Wladyslaw Bartoszewski Square 1, 80-862 Gdansk, the museum is a modern complex that attracts attention with its architecture alone.

To reach the museum, it is best to use public transportation - streetcars and buses stop nearby. Paid parking is available for those arriving by car. The museum is fully adapted for people with disabilities, making it accessible to any visitor.

The museum's exhibits are impressive and require at least three hours for a thorough tour. It is advisable to plan your visit in advance and reserve half a day. There are special tours for families with children, tailored to different age groups. The youngest can enjoy interactive stations that present difficult historical topics in an accessible way.

Ticket prices are affordable, with special discounts available for school groups and families. You can check the current price list on the museum's official website: https://muzeum1939.pl/. You should also take advantage of the audio guides, which are available in several languages.

There are many other Gdansk attractions close to the museum, such as the Old Town and the European Solidarity Center, allowing you to plan a full day of sightseeing.

Our next destination is Westerplatte, the place where World War II began. Located at 70 Mjr. Henryka Sucharskiego Street, 80-601 Gdansk, Westerplatte is now a memorial park that can be visited year-round.

Access to Westerplatte is by city bus or seasonal water streetcar from the center of Gdansk. There is a paid parking lot on site, which fills up quickly during the summer season, so it is worth arriving early in the morning.

A tour of Westerplatte is primarily a walk around the grounds of the former Military Transit Depot. The route is well marked, and there are information boards. There are special quests and field games for families with children, which can be downloaded from the official website.

Admission to the Westerplatte site is free. It is advisable to plan about 2-3 hours for a leisurely tour. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, as not all paths are paved. During the summer season, it is advisable to bring water and headgear with you.

In the vicinity of Westerplatte, it is also worth visiting the Wisloujscie Fortress or the Amber Museum, which will allow you to learn more about the history and culture of the region.

Both of these places - the World War II Museum and Westerplatte - offer an unforgettable educational experience for the whole family, combining modern forms of presentation with authentic testimonies of history.

Hidden testimonies of the past

Continuing our journey in the footsteps of World War II, we move on to lesser-known but equally fascinating places. One such spot is a World War II bunker hidden in the woods. Although the exact location is not given, objects of this type can be found in many places in Poland, especially in areas of former defense lines.

Reaching the bunker usually requires a short walk through the forest, which in itself can be an attraction for families with children. Before the expedition, it's a good idea to get appropriate footwear and clothing suitable for forest conditions. Keep in mind that these types of sites are often not official tourist attractions, so you need to take extra caution when visiting.

Bunkers are a fascinating testimony to history, allowing you to tangibly experience the atmosphere of wartime. For children it can be an unforgettable history lesson, but adult supervision is necessary for safety reasons. It is advisable to bring flashlights with you to get a better look at the inside of the bunker, if available.

Remnants of trenches or other fortifications can often be found near such structures, giving a broader picture of wartime defense systems. This is a great opportunity to talk to children about history and the importance of peace.

The next point on our trip is the Ulma Family Museum of Poles Saving Jews during World War II in Markowa. It is located at Markowa 1487, 37-120 Markowa. This relatively new museum, opened in 2016, presents the story of Poles who risked their lives to help Jews during the Holocaust.

Getting to Markowa is easiest by car. The museum has its own parking lot. For those using public transportation, the nearest train station is Lancut, from where you can reach Markowa by bus or cab.

The museum is fully adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. The exhibition is modern and interactive, which makes it attractive to younger visitors as well. Audio guides in several languages are available on site.

A visit to the museum takes about 1.5-2 hours. Special educational materials have been prepared for families with children, helping to present the difficult subject of the Holocaust in an accessible way. Of note is the reconstructed home of the Ulma family, which gives an idea of living conditions at that time.

Ticket prices are affordable, and up-to-date information can be found on the museum's website: http://muzeumulmow.pl/. It is worth checking opening hours before visiting, as they may change depending on the season.

Near Markowa, it is also worth visiting Łańcut with its beautiful castle, which will allow you to combine a history lesson with discovering the cultural heritage of the region.

These lesser-known memorials offer unique insights into various aspects of World War II, from military strategies to stories of individual heroes. They are an excellent complement to the knowledge gained in larger museums and allow for a deeper understanding of the complexity of this period of history.

Traces of history in everyday surroundings

In our tour of World War II sites, we must not overlook those that may seem inconspicuous at first glance, but carry a huge historical charge. One such place is the traces of World War II - shell holes, which can be seen in Krakow at 30-001 Street.

These inconspicuous marks on the walls of buildings are mute testimony to the fighting that took place in the city during the war. To see them, all you have to do is walk the streets of Krakow. There is no need to buy tickets or plan a special tour - history is literally at your fingertips here.

For families with children, this can be an interesting history lesson combined with an urban adventure. You can organize a 'history trail hunt', asking children to look out for bullet marks on the facades of buildings. It's a great way to get the little ones involved in discovering the city's history.

It's worth remembering that these traces are on residential and public buildings, so be sure to maintain proper respect and silence when viewing them. This is a good opportunity to talk to children about the importance of historical memory and respect for memorials.

There are many other Krakow attractions nearby, such as the Wawel Castle and the Market Square, allowing you to combine 'searching' for traces of the war with traditional sightseeing in the city.

The next point of our trip is the World War II War Cemetery, located in 07-415. War cemeteries are places that make you reflect on the tragic fate of war victims in a special way.

The cemetery can be reached by car, but it is advisable to check the exact location before going, as some war cemeteries are located in more remote areas. It is usually possible to park a car on site.

Visiting a war cemetery is an experience that can be emotionally difficult, especially for younger children. It is a good idea to prepare them in advance for what they will see and explain the significance of such a place. You can offer to light a candle or lay flowers as a gesture of remembrance.

Admission to war cemeteries is usually free. There is no set visiting time - you can spend as much time as you need to reflect and pay tribute to the fallen.

Look for a local regional museum or memorial chamber near the cemetery, where you can learn more about the region's history during World War II.

At the end of our trip we will visit the WWII Bomber Remains in 09-450 Wyszogród. This is a place where you can see the authentic remains of a wartime aircraft.

The exhibition is open 24 hours a day and does not require an admission ticket. This is a great opportunity for aviation and military history enthusiasts. For children, it can be a fascinating experience, allowing them to see real war equipment up close.

It is worth remembering that this is a memorial site, so be sure to maintain proper respect while visiting. For safety, especially with children, do not touch the exhibits or climb on them.

Near Wyszogród, it is worth visiting the picturesque Vistula River waterfront or visiting Wyszogród itself, which has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages.

These lesser-known memorials allow you to discover the history of World War II from a different perspective. They show how the events of years ago affected local communities and how the memory is still cultivated today. This is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the past and its impact on the present, as well as to talk to the younger generation about the value of peace and the importance of historical memory.

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