OUR TRAVELS
Photos of sightseeing enthusiasts
A TRIP ROUTE
INTERESTING STORIES
Contacts between the lands of present-day Poland and Switzerland have a centuries-old tradition. In 1085, a Polish delegation, sent by Duke Władysław Hermann to the Abbey of Saint-Giles in Provence, returned through western Switzerland. A significant revival in trade relations occurred in the last two centuries of the Middle Ages, when merchants from Saint Gallen traded with Kraków and Poznań. A large Polish delegation also attended the Council of Basel (1431–1437). The first Polish emigrants to Switzerland were members of the Bar Confederation, followed by participants in subsequent independence uprisings. One of them was Tadeusz Kościuszko, who spent the last years of his life, between 1815 and 1817, in Solothurn. The Helvetian Confederation was a favorite setting for the greatest Polish Romantic poets. Juliusz Słowacki stayed in Geneva from 1832 to 1835, and Adam Mickiewicz, who lectured in Latin literature at the University of Lausanne, also visited Switzerland in the late 1830s. Zygmunt Krasiński also visited Switzerland, and the mystic Andrzej Towiański was associated with Zurich for many years. However, the greatest financial success and recognition came to Antoni N. Patek (1811–1877), who founded the famous watch factory in Geneva in 1839. (source: www.eks.uwr.edu.pl)
IT IS WORTH KNOWING
The 2nd Rifle Division was formed in France at the turn of 1939/40, following Poland's defeat in the September Campaign. Despite being underequipped, it took part in the 1940 French Campaign, where it fought against the superior forces of the Wehrmacht in Alsace. After the end of resistance on June 19th, most of the division's forces crossed the Swiss border and were interned. Eight camp groups were established in Switzerland. Most of the soldiers were assigned to work for the Swiss economy. Initially, they worked on the construction of field fortifications for the army, and later on roads of military importance. They also participated in agricultural work. The internment period lasted five years and was a difficult time for the soldiers, but it also provided opportunities for education and cultural activities, thanks to the support of Swiss society. After the war, despite the re-emigration campaign, only about 2,000 soldiers returned to Poland, while approximately 1,300 remained in Switzerland. Those who remained could continue their studies or choose to emigrate to other countries.
Switzerland, Liechtenstein
August 2025
This trip was probably the craziest of all my trips so far. Due to the unpredictable and constantly changing weather, I wasn't sure which destination I would choose until the last minute. When the weather finally stabilized, I chose Switzerland and Liechtenstein without hesitation.
In this situation, purchasing reasonably priced plane tickets proved to be very problematic, so I opted for BlaBlaCar. I'd never traveled such a long distance this way before, but everything turned out as I had hoped. Switzerland and Liechtenstein absolutely charmed me. The people here are open and friendly, and affluence is evident everywhere. Since I was mainly visiting the northern part of the country, I didn't have the opportunity to admire the famous Alpine landscapes. I fully compensated for this by visiting the historic towns of St. Gallen, Lucerne, Zurich, and Basel.Lake Constance
Arbon, located on Lake Constance, was the first place I visited in Switzerland. I chose this small town because I really wanted to see the lake, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. I must admit, I wasn't disappointed. On site it turned out that Arbon itself has many attractive places to see, such as the medieval St. Gall's Chapel and original half-timbered houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.
St. Gallen
The city of St. Gallen owes its existence to the choice of the Irish monk Gallus, who settled here in 613. The abbey founded here, rebuilt in the 18th century, has been added to the Unesco List. The cathedral's vast nave, the paintings on the vault, and the lavish rood screen make a stunning impression. The old town itself is also full of charm, and I especially enjoyed the houses with the bay windows characteristic of St. Gallen.
Lucerne
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Lucerne's hallmarks are its medieval bridges and fountains, adorned with elaborate statues. Without a doubt, the wooden Chapel Bridge and the Wasserturm tower, dating back to the early 14th century, fully deserve their fame. However, I was most impressed by one of the few surviving works of its kind, the Bourbaki Panorama. This monumental canvas depicts the march of French troops through Switzerland during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.
Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and the center of Swiss finance. Fortunately, most of the attractive monuments are located in the Old Town, so I could reach them on foot. The townhouses, taverns, guild houses, palaces, and churches, viewed from the boulevards of the Limmat River, are simply breathtaking. The weather was perfect, so I could feast my eyes on architectural details in the August sunshine.
Basel
I spent only one day in Basel due to a change in my return date, so I had very little time for sightseeing. The city's landmark is the monumental Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, whose dark red facade and dark interior, filled with Gothic works of art, made an incredible impression on me. I also really enjoyed the incredibly picturesque town hall, with its facade decorated with murals referencing the city's turbulent history.
LIECHTENSTEIN
Vaduz and surroundings
The small Principality of Liechtenstein is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, and I must admit, it's evident at every turn. Its capital, Vaduz, is neat and tidy, but there aren't many interesting places to visit. To my disappointment, the city's biggest attraction, the Gothic-Renaissance Vaduz Castle, is closed to the public. However, the climb up the steep hillside was worth it for the breathtaking views.
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