👋 Cześć, I'm Marcin Gajewski · founder of I ♥ Poland
Born in Warsaw, raised between Kraków and the Mazurian lakes, I've spent my life uncovering the soul of this incredible country. I ♥ Poland is my personal ode to the land of pierogi, gościnność, and niezłomność. Through this platform, I share curated stories, travel guides, and cultural deep-dives — all from a local's perspective. Whether you're Polish by blood, by marriage, or simply by heart, there's a place for you here. Serdecznie witam!
Witaj · Welcome to my Polish journey
Poland is a country of contrasts — medieval castles and modernist skyscrapers, deep forests and bustling cities, hearty cuisine and poetic souls. This website is my personal compendium for those who carry Poland in their hearts, or are just beginning to discover her magic. I ♥ Poland is where English meets Polish, and everyday moments become extraordinary adventures.
— Poland is a country where history intertwines with everyday life, and every meal is a celebration.
🎭 Culture · Kultura
Polish culture is a rich tapestry of romantyzm, resilience, and reinvention. From the poetry of Mickiewicz and Słowacki to the cinematic brilliance of Kieślowski, Poland has always punched above its weight in the arts. Kraków — royal and bohemian. Warszawa — the phoenix city. Gdańsk — maritime and multicultural. Every city tells a different story.
Polish holidays are a feast for the senses: Wigilia with its twelve dishes, Śmigus-Dyngus on Easter Monday, and Dożynki — the harvest festival celebrated with wreaths and folk music.
🗺️ Travel · Podróże
From the Tatry mountains to the Mazury lake district, from the Bałtyk coast to the Bieszczady wilderness — Poland is a paradise for explorers. Zakopane — winter capital, Poznań — the cradle of Polish statehood, Lublin — a city of renaissance charm.
My personal highlights: Malbork Castle — the largest brick castle in the world, Wieliczka Salt Mine — an underground cathedral of salt, and Białowieża Forest — the last primeval forest in Europe, home to the majestic European bison.
„Podróże kształcą” — travel educates, and Poland teaches humility, wonder, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the everyday.
🍲 Polish Cuisine · Kuchnia polska — comfort food at its finest
Pierogi dumplings
The undisputed king of Polish comfort food. Pierogi ruskie (with potato, cheese and onion), pierogi z mięsem (meat), z jagodami (blueberries) and ze szpinakiem (spinach). Fried, boiled, with cracklings or sour cream — everyone has their favorite.
Żurek sour rye soup
A tangy soup made from fermented rye flour, served with white sausage, hard-boiled egg, and a dollop of horseradish. Żurek is a Easter morning staple, but it's enjoyed year-round in homes and traditional milk bars across the country.
Sernik & Makowiec cheesecake & poppy seed roll
Two pillars of Polish pastry. Sernik — creamy, dense cheesecake with raisins and a sweet glaze. Makowiec — a rolled cake filled with poppy seed paste, walnuts, and honey. Both are essential for Boże Narodzenie and Easter.
„Polska kuchnia to uczta dla zmysłów” — Polish cuisine is a feast for the senses. Beyond the classics, don't miss bigos (hunter's stew), kotlet schabowy (breaded pork cutlet), placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes), and oscypek — smoked sheep cheese from the Tatra highlanders. Every region has its own specialty, telling a story of the land and its people.
📜 History · Historia
Poland's history is a thousand-year saga of glory, resilience, and rebirth. From the baptism of Mieszko I in 966, through the Złoty Wiek (Golden Age), the partitions, the uprisings, the rebirth of independence in 1918, the devastation of World War II, to the Solidarność movement that brought down communism.
Icons like John Paul II, Marie Curie-Skłodowska, and Nicolaus Copernicus changed the world. And Polish cities — like Warsaw, rebuilt brick by brick from wartime rubble — stand as monuments to the niezłomność (indomitability) of the Polish spirit.
🎶 Music & Art · Muzyka i sztuka
From the haunting nocturnes of Chopin to the avant-garde compositions of Penderecki, from the monumental history paintings of Matejko to the monumental sculptures of Abakanowicz — Polish art is emotionally charged and deeply reflective.
Folk traditions live on in Łowicz and Kurpie costumes, and in the vibrant music of the Podhale highlands. Modern festivals like Pol'and'Rock, Wianki in Kraków, and the St. Dominic's Fair in Gdańsk blend ancient customs with contemporary energy.
🇵🇱 Polish words I carry in my heart
„Co kraj, to obyczaj” — every country has its customs, and Poland's are uniquely warm, poetic, and authentic. I ♥ Poland is my tribute to this diversity.
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