Sunday 29 November 2009

Krakow a medieval city. Schindlers factory. Poland







Hello we moved along fairly quick from Warsaw as we wanted to get out of the big cities and visti some more rural areas. Our train the 15.10 express was due in Krakow by 18.30

Its historic centre was inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites as the first of its kind.[3] Situated on the Vistula river (Polish: Wisła) in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century.[4] Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural and artistic life, and is one of Poland's most important economic centres. It was the capital of Poland from 1038 to 1596 source www.wikipedia.com

The cost in human life in Krakow has been immense. During WW2 the Nazis reputedly murdered 3500 Jews and the work of one Krakow man to save lifes is immortalized in the movie Shindlers List. There is a stirring memorial in the city where the Ghetto once stood to the people who will never return, the factory of Shindler still stands and operates.

1945 saw the country taken into Stalin's Soviet State and 1994 saw the independence from Russia and the work of rebuilding a modern country. Poland is now part of the EU community.

In the walled medieval city you will find art galleries, university, opera house. Bars, wine bars, restaurants, music bars, in every street.

The city has an annual tourist visit of between 7 - 9 million. Students mingle with tourists and trams trundle up and down the streets. The shops are modern and well stocked with all top labels available. It is near picture perfect.

But all the art is not in the galleries. We found interesting paintings on the streets and graffiti in the most unusual places.

I met the bird man of Krakow and he was feeding the knights of the realm as the legend goes.

Krakow is interesting refined and very very proud.
Image 1 Town Square
Image 2 Opera house
Image 3 Horse and carriage tourist transport
Image 4 Bird man feeding the Knights of the realm (legend)
Image 5 Penelope Cruz reconfigured.

Next stop Woltzsyn.
Steam trains and the birthplace of our dear friend Voitek Biskup

On the road again on the great train journey.

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