KRAKOW - WAWEL CASTLE AND...

The glorious ensemble that is Wawel, the jewel of Krakow's architectural treasures, perched on top of a hill is by far the most important collection of buildings in Poland. I visited it twice, one on a cloudy morning and on the second time it was raining heavily. Each time, I got into it through the two different gates, which gave me two different perspectives, yet both beautiful at my eyes. On the way, and fascinated as I am for doors and windows, I stopped here and there and pointed my camera at the ones that impressed me the most.

 The house where Pope John Paul II lived from 1951-1967

Getting close to Wawel...

 

I saw many crows in Krakow but... had never expected to find a crow nest "guarded" by a little bird...

As I passed the gate, the imposing ensemble was before my eyes...

Krakow's prized art piece, an oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Unfortunately, taking photos inside Wawel was not allowed. The Lady with an Ermine is temporarily on display at Wawel until the proper home in the National Museum is reopened after renovation.

Come with me to this must see cultural attraction...

KRAKOW: TRACING THE TRAIL OF TEARS AND MORE...

My visit to the area of Krakow's Jewish ghetto was like a live lesson of the history of Krakow's Jews during WWII.

After walking along the waterfront, I reached the year-old steel-arched Footbridge, a pedestrian-and bike friendly river crossing that links the Jewish district of Kazimierz and Podgorze.

Podgorze is the evocative district which is struggling to shake off the hangover of its haunting wartime history. A mural on the side of a building within the former ghetto was one of the unexpected sights I encountered. 

 

Unforgettably moving!!!

Walking a little farther, I reached the Ghetto Heroes Square, the ghetto's largest open space that was not only a place for people to socialize relax and escape the oppressive overcrowding of the tenements, but also the site of families being torn apart, mass deportations to the death-camps, beatings and executions.

 

Nowadays, it's the most iconic place in the district. It's laid out with 70 large well-spaced metal chairs meant to symbolize departure, as well as subsequent absence. The entire square has essentialy turned into an evocative memorial to the victims of the Krakow Ghetto.


Now, let's go to Kazimiers, the district that housed Jews for over 500 years. Since the end of last century, it has been rediscovered and its Jewish culture gradually reintroduced. It has become famous for its associations with Schindler and Spielberg. Accessed via an archway, the cobbled courtyard is instantly recognizable from Schindler's List.
 

But Kazimiers is much more than what you see above... its true vitality and much of the mystique dating from the past is still carried today... Let's discover this historic Jewish quarter...

 

LET'S VISIT KRAKOW OLD CITY

Today, let me introduce the old city and all its beauties...

The lively Market Square is one of the largest in Europe


The lovely gothic church of St. Mary




 

 

The Great Cloth Hall dominates the Square. Wealthy cloth merchants built the hall in the 14th century as an establishment for cloth trading. Destroyed by fire in 1555, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style by an Italian architect.

All that remains of the former town hall...its tower!

In the opposite corner of the square is St Adalbert’s. Built in the Romanesque style, it is the oldest and smallest church in Krakow.

On a very cold afternoon

Eros Bendato (Eros bound) is a giant…well…head in one corner of the square.

 

How about having a coffee at one of the many cafés and watch its bustling life?

Let's leave the Main Square and explore the streets surrounding it.

 

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND....

 The Academy of Photography is located in a XIX century building on one of the oldest streets in the center of Krakow (Poland)

KRAKOW STREET SCENES #2

Snapping people on streets is my favourite thing. Once again Krakow didn't disapppoint me. It's a city alive with opportunities for candid shots...

Seeing Polish newlyweds on the street is not so uncommon as we might think. I was told that the wedding party lasts (and the bride and groom remain) until the last guest leaves, usually until morning. Then, they go for the photo session on the streets in the Old City. It was amazing to me when I saw two pairs walking, very naturally, in the shopping district, followed by professional photographers. Nobody looked at them but I did...   

 

 

 

I left them in their world... I knew I wouldn't have much free time on my hands and went on snapping whoever and whatever caught my eyes...