Things to See in Poland

Established within disused army barracks in 1940, Auschwitz was initially designed to hold Polish prisoners, but was expanded into the largest centre for the extermination of European Jews. Two more camps were subsequently established: Birkenau and Monowitz. In the course of their operation, between one and 1.5 million people were killed.

This is Europe's largest Gothic castle and was once known as Marienburg - headquarters to the Teutonic Knights. It's one of Poland's oldest, and a splendid example of a classic medieval fortress, with multiple defensive walls, a labyrinth of rooms and chambers, and some exquisite architectural detail.

This museum is one of Kraków's jewels. The star pieces of the collection are Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with the Ermine and Rembrandt's Landscape with the Good Samaritan (1638). Also on display are Turkish weapons and artefacts, including a campaign tent from the 1683 Battle of Vienna.