The Splendour of Kraków
Poland – Sightseeing in Kraków (16-17 Sep 2018)
Weather: 12⁰C min – 24⁰C max, mostly sunny
“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.” ~ Sydney J. Harris
After spending time today exploring by bicycle, I can understand why Kraków is said to be Poland’s most charming city. Emerging from World War II as the only major Polish city that wasn’t reduced to rubble, it is an incredibly beautiful place with some amazing architecture.
But what I like most is the lively buzz in Kraków, particularly around the main square. Throngs of tourists are gathered here, relaxing in bars and cafes, listening to many and varied buskers, or just sitting around the fountain, watching brightly decorated horses pulling 4-wheeled white carriages. And everywhere you look there is food, glorious food!
Here are just some of the highlights I saw on my ride:
Wawel Castle – a magnificent fairy-tale castle overlooking the Vistula River.
Old Town – As postcard-perfect as you will ever see, with lots of interesting shops.
Rynek Główny – Kraków’s main square, located in the centre of the Old Town and surrounded by impressive buildings.
Kazimierz – Kraków’s Jewish district, now home to some of the city’s best cafes and restaurants, as well as lots of fascinating and beautiful buildings.
Plac Nowy – A ramshackle marketplace, busy today with a Sunday flea market in full swing.
The Heroes Square – An empty square except for 68 chairs representing 68,000 Jews in Kraków at the time Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Many were deported from this ghetto to concentration, extermination, and labour camps. Although the square is not much to look at, I couldn’t help being deeply moved just sitting reflecting there in the square where so many people were sent to their death.
Saint Florian’s Gate – Lots of colourful paintings exhibited near here.
Valeria Krakowska – A large, modern shopping centre.
Having now treated myself to the visual delights of Kraków, tomorrow I plan to go on one of the guided walking tours to enable me to learn more about Kraków’s very interesting history.
It’s hard work being a tourist!
Monday 17 September
The first stop today on my bike tour of Kraków was the Botanic Garden of the Jagiellonian University, spectacular even in early autumn. Imagine what it will be like in a month or two when the maples have changed colour. Founded in 1783, it is the oldest existing botanical garden in Poland and, being located in the university, is used for teaching students.
What I have noticed since arriving in Poland is the variety of trees, and the Botanic Garden has them all on show. Some of those identifiable by me included maples, beech trees, plane trees, conifers, elm trees, oak trees, silver birches, and weeping willows. Even in early autumn the gardens were spectacular, but imagine what the trees would be like in a month or two or how colourful it would be in spring when the annuals and perennials are in bloom.
From there I proceeded to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Kraków, with a great acronym MOCAK, and the adjacent Oskar Schindler’s factory (where about a thousand Jews were saved). Unfortunately the museum is closed on Mondays, but it would have been a rushed tour anyway because I am booked on the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour this afternoon.
What is it? Yes, it’s a salt mine and yes, it’s also way more exciting than that sounds. Why go? Classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site, this vast subterranean wonder is located 15 miles outside of Kraków, but is not to be missed. It is impossible not to be awestruck as you wander through winding tunnels, gasping at the surreal, salty world before you, carved out by countless generations of miners. There’s a salt lake, the incredible Chapel of St Kinga and various sculptures carved by contemporary artists. Salt will never be more interesting than right here.
Never go to Kraków without visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Although some of the stories have to be taken with a grain of salt, this afternoon’s saline experience is something I will always savour, capping off a great couple of days in Kraków.
Tomorrow my 720 Km ride to Budapest begins, with the first of twelve daily stages taking me as far as Oświęcim.
Farewell Kraków … it’s time to start rolling!
What a life!!!yes being a tourist is hard work. You are having a great experience as well as learning the ropes of how to be a good Tour Guide. Have a good and safe??