Opolskie (Opole)

The tiny Opole region is an exceptional part of Poland – it is here that the oldest dinosaur fossils in the World were discovered. Silesaurus opolensis (the Silesian lizard from Opole) lived 230 million years ago in Krasiejowo.

The silesaur from Opole would not have been impressive with its height (only 1,5 meters) but it did have a lot of charm. Its body was shaped like an overgrown Turkey. There is a paleontological theme park in Krasiejowo, where his fossilised remains (and his brothers from the trias epoch) were excavated.

There are more attractions in this the tiniest Voivodship in Poland. Its capital – Opole – is famous for the Polish Song Festival which takes place in May. The region is abundant in historical sites from different eras – from Gothic fortified castles to Baroque palaces and 19th century eclectic mansions.

The biggest genealogical tree in Poland, a gallery of 24 busts of the Piast dynasty stands over the entrance to the Renaissance castle of the Silesian Piasts in Brzeg. The palace in Moszna, with its 99 towers (each one different), looks like something from Snow White’s castle mixed up with the castle of Gargamel. The first health resort in Poland – Sebastianeum, where patients are treated with the priest Kneipp’s method (i.e. hydrotherapeutic) – is located in the palace in Kamien Slaski.