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Malopolska Province

The current Malopolska Province (or Wojewodztwo Małopolskie) is only a part of the historical region of Lesser Poland that, apart from the Southern Polish lands east of Silesia, spread over parts of what is now Ukraine at its biggest. Usually, the name Lesser Poland refers to the Southeastern Polish lands bordering Mazowsze (Mazovia) from the North, Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) from the North-West and Slask (Silesia) from the West.

Malopolska's original, Latin name (Polonia Minor), doesn't necessarily refer to its size – in fact, what is known as Greater Poland is smaller than Lesser Poland – but rather it being included into the Polish state later than Wielkopolska. The two historical regions – Lesser Poland and Greater Poland – form the core of the Polish lands.

Malopolska Province

The Malopolska Province (Wojewodztwo Malopolskie, often referred to as Malopolska Voivodship) was established in its current form in 1999 as one of the then-introduced 16 Polish administration districts. Spanning over 5% of the total area of Poland, Lesser Poland is one of the smaller provinces (12^th place), but it is also densely populated, and the 3.3 million people living here make it the fourth most populated province. The capital of the Malopolska Province – as well as the historical region of Lesser Poland – is Krakow. Other more significant towns of Malopolska (although none bigger than 200 thousand people) include Nowy Sacz, Tarnow, Oswiecim and Chrzanow.

Malopolska – the Flora and Fauna

Lesser Poland Province is the most wildlife-rich region of Poland, with 6 National Parks (including the Tatra National Park and the Ojcow National Park), and almost half of its total area being nature reserves of different levels. The numerous forests of Malopolska are home to various endangered animal species, including golden eagles, marmots and chamois – the latter two residing in the beautiful Tatra Mountains. Lesser Poland can also boast with the biggest desert in Central Europe.

What to See in Malopolska

Apart from breathtaking sights and intriguing wildlife, Malopolska has a lot to offer to the average tourist, which makes it arguably the most often visited region of Poland. Of course, what produces the most of the traffic is Krakow, Poland's capital of many centuries and one of world's most beautiful cities. The perfectly preserved Krakow Old Town along with the magnificent Wawel Castle, accompanied by the picturesque former Jewish district of Kazimierz and Stalin's dream-come-true district of Nowa Huta make Krakow a must-see for anyone visiting Poland. But Malopolska isn't just Krakow – within just a few hours' drive of the capital it offers numerous other places worth visiting. The religious will find places marked by the steps of pope John Paul II – his birthplace in Wadowice and the sanctuaries of Czestochowa and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska which he loved. Those craving breathtaking sights will be astonished by the underground caves of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, or the grim ruins of the Eagle-Nest Castles. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Malopolska is also the former Nazi Concentration Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The easiest way to visit Malopolska's highlights is to book a tour from our Krakow Tours section.