I want to move here.
This city could be one of the nicest and best-preserved ones we’ve ever been to and if it weren’t for a definite language barrier, well…. my initial statement stands. The reasons for the non-destruction are many and varied, but the facts remain that Krakow stayed untouched during WWII, hence its “I Want to be Here” charm index is off the board!
One theory is faith-based. There are so many churches in Krakow, and each one has a ‘Guardian Angel’…. so, when danger was looming the angels all opened their spiritual umbrellas and created an impervious cover over the entire city.
Another is that the Russian troops advanced quick enough to ward off any bombing necessities as the city was then under Allied control.
Don’t know about you, but the first reason is a much nicer remedy! In any event, the buildings and infrastructures around here, dating from the 1300’s, are largely intact. While the population of Krakow (proper) is comparable to San Francisco or Indianapolis, at about 900,000 people, its metropolitan area is more comparable to Austin, Texas or Jacksonville, Florida. Krakow is the second largest city in Poland with Warsaw coming in first.
Since the Solidarity movement shook up Poland in 1989, Krakow has sprung forward, embracing its new -found freedoms and celebrating its resilience against the former Soviet Bloc overtures that held it back for those forty or so years.
Walking around the city is an absolute pleasure…. the pedestrians have the right-of-way (except for the trams!) and the population exercises this perk to the Nth degree by just stepping out onto the crosswalk where the drivers expect them to do this and stop accordingly. And the Trams are all free to those over 70!
Dating back to the 900’s and most of what you see is from the 1300’s and 1400’s. This place was the site of all of the Royal residences and coronations in Poland for centuries. It is currently a major art museum.
If you are from the New York metro area (he has a bridge name for him) and /or a fan of a great mustard, (or you were paying attention in U.S. History class!) you will recognize his name, but may not be able to pronounce it…… General Kościuszko!
Here we find a gate that is dedicated to someone known to firefighters around the world. He was a Roman soldier who miraculously put out a village fire with a single bucket of water….. a kind of “Loaves and Fishes” story if you will!
He hailed from this area.
Here we find the remains of the old Town Hall, the tower the only remaining part. The Square is enormous and the shops and restaurants ringing the edges are quite good. No junk!
(That’s part of our group that you see walking in front and away from the camera.)
Doorways of old cities make perfect subjects for a photo essay…. hmmm, maybe I should start one!
These are located at Grodzka 59, but alas, no information seems to be available on them 🙁
Now all that is needed to complete this Nirvana is having the Cukiernies (pastry shops!) also be free to us in the ‘Over 70 Club’!
4 replies on “Krakow”
Those doors are gorgeous
There are old doors all over the place!
Despite being a “city” it looks beautiful in its own way… I heard the cathedrals were anwesome inside too? Yes?
Lots of church’s….. no time for insides!