Pronounced "Krockoof" this is the heart of Poland. Even though the country shifted its capital from Krakow to Warsaw over 400 years ago, Krakow maintains its position as the intellectual and cultural centre of Poland. Krakow is swimming in charm and is delightfully compact. Anyone embarking on a central European holiday would be well rewarded by including a detour to Krakow.
The view of Market Square from our hotel room
The other view of Market Square from our hotel room
Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle inner courtyard
Google "chakra" to see why I've included this rather unphotogenic smudged wall
Market stalls inside the Cloth Hall
Market stalls inside the Cloth Hall
Karol Wojtyla, or better known as Pope John Paul II, was born in a town not far from Krakow and lived much of his life in Krakow. He was archbishop of Krakow before becoming the youngest cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church and eventually becoming Pope.
He lived on this street . . .
. . . in this house.
Krakow is quite possibly the most Catholic town in Europe's most Catholic country.
St. Francis' Basilica
Toalety?
Not only is Krakow dripping in charm, but it is also amazingly cheap! You can travel like royalty here. Full meals for two including drinks for just £10! What's more is the city has a serious understanding of good Italian food. This pizzeria was tops!
The Florian Gate along the several centuries old wall
We happened to be here on May 3, Poland's National Constitution Day. We were about the only non-Polish tourists in the city. The Polish could not be a nicer people and it was rather serendipitous to share this special day.
St. Mary's
Inside St. Mary's
This exquisite wooden altarpiece by Veit Stoss took 12 years to carve.
In many ways Krakow reminds me of a smaller version of Prague. They have many similarities. The Jewish quarter in Krakow has a similar feel to its bigger cousin in Prague.
The Old Jewish Cemetery
Desecrated by the Nazis in WWII it was excavated and reassembled in the 1950's.
The Remu'h Synagogue
Jewish quarter main square
Before WWII Krakow had more than 65,000 Jews. Today it only has about 200. For us a visit to Krakow would not have been sufficient without also visiting Auschwitz, just 90 minutes away. It is not a happy destination, but an extraordinary one . . .
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Krakow
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4 comments:
Ok, adding Krakow to my list!
wow, i must visit krakow! you should start creating tour guides... i love getting these glimpses into your trips.
i visited a concentration camp in germany (dakou?). it was an emotional visit/day...but something everyone needs to experience/see.
Hope you are having fun in Norway!
I love these mini history lessons!
I love visiting your blog - your photos are amazing and I love hearing about your adventures.
Please refrain though from posting any fun pictures of you and that travel traitor Kelly. She talks a big talk about friendship but did she ask me to travel to London with her? Um, no! She'll come home and talk up her fantastic trip and visit with you never once thinking about the rest of us. She is so unthoughtful that Kelly.
Seriously though, you two have fun. Man, I wish I was there!
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