Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by tomasz przechlewski

Insights into the history
Gniew Castle was founded in the 2nd half of the 13th century and served as the seat of the Teutonic Knights. In the 15th century castle took possession of the royal family. Later, however, the fortress fell to Prussians, who established the military barracks and armory at the Gniew castle. In the first half of the 20th century the building was damaged by a large fire. About 50 years later, began an extensive reconstruction, and the whole place got back to its original form.

Attractions
Today the castle houses an archaeological museum, where you can see many exhibitions of medieval excavations and archaeological findings. The castle also hosts festivals of various historic characters and many exhibitions. In the vicinity of Gniew Castle you can find another great castle, Malbork Castle, which is the largest Gothic building in the world and the largest brick building in the world.

Practical information
You can visit Gniew Castle almost every day (except of Mondays) from 9:00 to 17:00. Admission is 8 PLN. The museum is open from 15 April to 31 October. You can even accommodate right in the castle complex or try some of the great polish traditional meals in the castle’s restaurant. Very impressive is night walking around the castle.

For further details visit official website of Gniew Castle.

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Popradské pleso is also a good starting point for the tours around Mengusovská valley. To Popradské pleso you can get from Štrbské pleso following the marked trail which take approximately two hours of slow walking. Near Popradské pleso there is the symbolic cemetery. In this cemetery there is a monument to victims of the High Tatras. The cemetery is a good idea to show the number of victims who lost their lives in the mountains.

Popradské pleso covers an area of 6.88 hectares and it is 18 meters depth. In the past it was called Rybie pleso (Fish lake), as it was the only mountain-lake in the southern High Tatra Mountains with the natural occurrence of fish. The old name was first used in 1736 by Matej Bel, a prominent Slovak scholar of 18th century.

At the lake you can find Cottage of Popradské pleso where you can buy some refreshments, beer or try Slovak traditional meals (e.g. Bryndzové halušky). You can also book a room here and stay here for few nights. If so, I would recommend you to wake up very early and enjoy the sun-rise.

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Capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague is more than thousand years old, and offers rich architecture of different styles. Therefore, the city became a popular destination not only for tourists but also for many international film makers.

The most important economic sector is still a production, especially production of automobiles (Škoda), machinery, mechanical engineering and construction products. In Moravia, which forms the eastern part of the country, the iron and steel sector is predominant. The main crops grown include corn, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, barley and rye.

About 95% of the country covering the hills and mountains which are perfect for skiing, horseback and mountain bike tours. In the dense forests you can meet the wild boars and foxes.

World-famous beer is produced in the Czech Republic, for example, Pilsner Urquell. Wine is produced in southern regions of Moravia and in some parts of Bohemia. Thanks to the 900 natural springs the country produces large volumes of mineral water. From traditional meals you should taste dumplings made ​​from potatoes or bread.

Within the list of the famous Czech people you can find e.g. Art Nouveau painter Alphonse Mucha, composers Antonin Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana, marathon runner Antonin Zatopek, as well as the writers Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera.

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