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Poland
Let's explore one of the world's most fascinating countries — packed with surprises, stories, and pen pal potential.
The Basics
3 Things That Will Blow Your Mind
Genuinely. You'll want to tell someone immediately.
Poland disappeared from the map for 123 years
In 1795, Poland was divided up and absorbed by Russia, Prussia, and Austria — and ceased to exist as a country entirely. For 123 years there was no Poland on any map. It came back in 1918 after the First World War, largely because the world felt it owed Poland the favour.
Marie Curie was Polish
Marie Curie — the first person to win two Nobel Prizes and still the only person to win them in two different sciences (Physics and Chemistry) — was born Maria Skłodowska in Warsaw in 1867. She had to leave Poland to study because women weren't allowed into university there.
Poland has the world's largest castle by land area
Malbork Castle, built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century, covers over 52 acres — bigger than the Vatican City. It was used as a setting for a Ridley Scott film and is considered the largest brick building in the world.
Famous For
Pierogi
Dumplings stuffed with potato and cheese, meat, mushroom, or fruit — Poland's national dish and a source of fierce regional pride. Every family has their own recipe and considers it the definitive version.
Chopin
Frédéric Chopin, one of the greatest composers who ever lived, was born near Warsaw in 1810. His music is played in parks across the city every summer, on outdoor pianos, for anyone who passes.
Malbork Castle
The world's largest castle by area — a vast red-brick fortress built by crusading knights, still standing in extraordinary condition after 700 years.
Białowieża Forest
Europe's last primeval forest — ancient woodland that has never been cleared — where wild European bison still roam. The bison were extinct in the wild by 1927 and were bred back from zoo animals.
Did You Know?
European bison were completely extinct in the wild by 1927. They survived only in zoos. Poland led the effort to breed them back and reintroduce them to Białowieża Forest — where a herd of over 600 now lives wild. It's one of conservation's great success stories.
Pen Pal Connection
A child in Poland might write to you about pierogi (and which filling is correct — a debate with no winner), a school trip to a castle, Chopin playing from a park piano, a winter cold enough to freeze a river, or pride that Marie Curie was theirs first.