Culture

Birthday candles spelling out a celebration message -- the moment Poles break into the sto lat song

Sto Lat Song: Poland's Birthday Anthem No One Owns

The sto lat song is Poland's birthday anthem -- sung at weddings, name days, and even to the Pope. Unlike Happy Birthday, no one has ever owned the copyright.

Aug 20, 202613 min read

St. Mary's Basilica in Krakow, whose towers inspire most Krakow nativity scene spires

Culture

Krakow Nativity Scene: The UNESCO Contest Built All Year

The Krakow nativity scene competition is so intricate it's now UNESCO-listed heritage. Locals spend all year building tiny cathedrals from foil and cardboard.

Aug 20, 202613 min read

The Krasnale Syzyfki, a pair of Wroclaw gnomes eternally pushing a giant granite stone

Culture

The Wroclaw Gnomes: Poland's Anti-Communist Dwarf Army

The Wroclaw gnomes started as a 1980s protest against communist rule. Today over 1,000 bronze krasnale hide across the city -- here's their real story.

Aug 20, 202613 min read

The Warsaw Mermaid statue holding a sword and shield in Warsaw's Old Town Market Square

Culture

The Warsaw Mermaid: Why Syrenka Guards Poland's Capital

The Warsaw Mermaid, Syrenka, guards the capital with a sword and shield -- but the city's original 14th-century symbol wasn't a mermaid at all.

Aug 16, 202612 min read

The bronze Wawel Dragon statue breathing real fire at the entrance to Smocza Jama in Krakow

Culture

The Wawel Dragon: Poland's Fire-Breathing Krakow Legend

The Wawel Dragon is Krakow's legendary fire-breather -- the real 13th-century story, the statue that breathes actual fire, and the cave you can visit.

Aug 16, 202613 min read