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Lower Silesian Voivodeship facts for kids

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Lower Silesian Voivodeship

Województwo dolnośląskie
Flag of Lower Silesian Voivodeship
Flag
Coat of arms of Lower Silesian Voivodeship
Coat of arms
Location within Poland
Location within Poland
Division into counties
Division into counties
Country  Poland
Capital Wrocław
Counties
Area
 • Total 19,946 km2 (7,701 sq mi)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total 2,884,248
 • Density 144.603/km2 (374.520/sq mi)
 • Urban
2,047,151
 • Rural
837,097
Car plates D
Website http://www.umwd.pl/
  • further divided into 169 gminas

The Lower Silesian Voivodeship is one of the 16 main regions, or voivodeships, in Poland. It is located in the southwest part of the country, in a historical area called Silesia. The biggest and most important city in this region is Wrocław, which is also its capital.

This voivodeship was created on January 1, 1999. It was formed by combining several older voivodeships, including Wrocław, Legnica, Wałbrzych, and Jelenia Góra.


Exploring Lower Silesia's Nature

Lower Silesia is a great place for nature lovers. It has beautiful mountains, forests, and unique rock formations.

National Parks and Mountains

Two amazing national parks are found here:

  • Karkonosze National Park: This park is home to the Karkonosze Mountains, which are the highest part of the Sudetes mountain range. You can find Śnieżka, the highest peak in the Karkonosze, here.
  • Stołowe Mountains National Park: This park is famous for its "table mountains." These are mountains with flat tops and steep sides, looking a bit like giant tables. You can explore cool rock labyrinths here, like "Hell" on Szczeliniec Wielki.

Caves and Natural Wonders

The region also has fascinating caves and other natural sights.

  • Bear's Cave: This is one of the longest and deepest caves in Poland. It's known for its amazing rock formations, like stalactites and stalagmites.
  • Snowy Pits: These are two large glacial cirques (bowl-shaped valleys) in the Karkonosze Mountains. They are very impressive and look like huge natural amphitheaters.
  • Mount Ślęża: This isolated mountain stands out in the landscape and has been a special place for people for thousands of years.

Historical Castles and Palaces

Lower Silesia is famous for its many old castles and grand palaces. They tell stories of knights, kings, and noble families.

Magnificent Castles

  • Książ Castle: This is one of the largest castles in Poland. It has a long history and was even used during World War II.
  • Czocha Castle: This medieval castle looks like something out of a fairy tale. It's built on a rock overlooking a lake.
  • Oleśnica Castle: A beautiful castle with a long history, once home to powerful dukes.
  • Piast Castle in Legnica: This castle in Legnica is one of the oldest in Poland, with parts dating back to the 12th century.

Grand Palaces

Many beautiful palaces can be found across the region. These were often homes for wealthy families.

  • Krobielowice Palace: A historic palace with lovely grounds.
  • Radomierzyce Palace: Another impressive palace with a rich past.
  • Jedlinka Palace in Jedlina-Zdrój: A charming palace with a unique history.
  • Wojanów Palace: A stunning palace surrounded by a beautiful park.
  • Kamieniec Ząbkowicki Palace: A grand neo-Gothic palace that looks like a fortress.

Important Religious Sites

The region has many old and beautiful churches and abbeys.

Churches of Peace

  • The Church of Peace in Świdnica: This is a very special wooden church. It's so important that it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the 17th century during a time of religious conflict.

Other Notable Churches and Abbeys

  • Cistercian Lubiąż Abbey: This is one of the largest Cistercian monasteries in the world. It's a huge and impressive building.
  • Vang Stave Church: An amazing 800-year-old wooden church brought all the way from Norway to Karpacz.
  • Abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict in Krzeszów: Another grand abbey with beautiful architecture.
  • Sanctuary of St. Jadwiga, Trzebnica: A significant pilgrimage site.
  • Cathedral of St. Vincent and St. James, Wrocław: A beautiful cathedral in Wrocław.
  • Holy Cross Church, Wrocław: An impressive church in the capital city.

Cities and Towns

Lower Silesia has many interesting cities and towns, each with its own character.

Wrocław: The Capital City

Wrocław is the heart of Lower Silesia. It's a vibrant city with a rich history.

  • Wrocław Town Hall: A stunning building in the city's main market square.
  • Wrocław Główny railway station: A major train station, connecting the region to the rest of Poland.
  • Copernicus Airport Wrocław: The main airport for the region.

Other Key Cities

  • Jelenia Góra: A city located near the Karkonosze Mountains, known for its beautiful surroundings.
  • Głogów: An old city with a long history, located on the Oder River.
  • Kłodzko: A historic town with a famous bridge and fortress.
  • Oława: Home to the Sobieski Castle.

Transportation and Infrastructure

The region has a good network of roads and railways.

  • A4 motorway: A major highway that runs through the region, connecting it to other parts of Poland and Europe.
  • Koleje Dolnośląskie: The regional train service, making it easy to travel around Lower Silesia.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Voivodato de Baja Silesia para niños

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