Krakow – Poland second largest city (pop. 750,000); Poland’s economic, education, arts, and culture center, Poland’s capital until 1596
Krakow – It’s Old Town contained within walls (some still exist) and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large Main Market Square is a vibrant place!
Krakow – Home to Krakow Castle found on Wawel Hill above the Vistula River across from Old Town. To me, not only was Wawel Cathedral the most magnificent church I saw on the trip – it was one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen.
Krakow – A place where revered Karol Wojtyla spent much time before becoming Pope John Paul II.
Krakow – Not bombed in WW2, but is home to Oskar Schindler’s factory and the Jewish Ghetto (in Kazimierz neighborhood). The factory is now a museum about the war in Poland while the Ghetto is in a rejuvenation period. Looking up the long stairway reminded me of the scene when a lady came to the factory for an interview, and Mr. Schindler was standing at the top of the stairs.
Poland has a rich history, and compared to many other European countries, it was large. I didn’t know that during part of the 18th Century, Poland didn’t exist because the land was divided among Prussia, Austria, and Russia. As for Krakow, the visit here was the most surprising of the trip. To learn more about Krakow, I encourage you to watch the 3-minute video because from Rick Steves.
Next stop: Auschwitz
Click here for past posts of this tour.
I am sending this to my husband to convince him that we should go to Poland.
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Cindy,
I know you enjoy travel – good luck. I know Poland covers a lot of area, so I only saw a small bit of it. Enjoy!
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My paternal grandmother was raised in Krakow. How much is Steves paying you?😝
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Ray,
Now that’s interesting! Definitely a reason for you to visit to enjoy this beautiful city. For the record, nothing from the Steves organization. I actually try to leave them out of the posts about individual stops.
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We travel an awful lot. If I go to Eastern Europe, it’s to Belarus to tree to track down my grandfather’s family. It would be helpful to know my last name, but…
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Hope you get to make that trip!
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Fascinating! Thanks for the captivating historical review.
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Patti,
Glad you enjoyed this bit of Krakow. I must say that this is one of the surprises of our trip!
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You’ve influenced me to rescue my copy of “Poland” by James A. Michener before my wife unloads it on one of her downsizing trips to Half Price Books.
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Tim,
I side with your wife in her attempts to take “Poland” to Half Price Books. Then if you want to read it again, use the library.
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Super view of the city, Frank. I’m glad the factory is now a museum.
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John,
If memory serves me correctly, the museum is about 8 years ago. It’s very well done, but the museum focuses on the WW 2 in Poland – with only a room or so dedicated to the Schindler story. Nonetheless, a good place to visit.
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Beautiful pictures, Frank. Thanks so much for the visit!
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Dale,
Krakow is quite active – but the food in the region is definitely different from the Mediterranean region.
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No kidding! Did you enjoy it?
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Yes. Focus is on meat … many times with gravy and dumplings. Didn’t see much green or carrot on my plates. Being Italian, well, I know what I prefer. 🙂
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Of course. But it is nice to try other cuisines (if only to better appreciate our favourites!)
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Oh yes – I can’t recall what I ate in Krakow, but I do recall my wife had Perogies – well, but they don’t call them that there – just dumplings.
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No cabbage? 😉
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I know I had some in Hungary.
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😀
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Hi Frank – isn’t it an amazing place! You have represented Krakow beautifully with your words and pictures. I’m sorry for my absences from your last post, my house is filled with visitors at the moment and my on-line time severely curtailed 🙂
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Pauline,
Glad you enjoyed my little tour of Krakow. Not sure what I expected, but it was a pleasant surprise! … Meanwhile, glad to have you back. … and of course I missed you – especially at the last act.
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Thank you for sharing, Frank. Someone I know lives in Poland (he was working here many years ago when I met him), and I remembering him mentioning Krakow.
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Merril,
Glad I was able to rekindle memories of a person! 🙂
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What a stunning place!
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Debra,
I think you would enjoy Krakow. 🙂
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Thanks you for the tour. The photos were gorgeous
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Drew,
Thank you …. and another place for you to consider.
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Yes it is
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… and the next stop went live 15 minutes ago.
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Cool
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Frank,
Beautiful gallery of pics, as per. And that cathedral is magnificent!
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Marc,
Thanks for the kind words. The inside of the cathedral was spectacular – actually one of my favorites. Unfortunately, taking pics was not allowed.
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Just beautiful.
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What a beautiful city! Thank you for sharing your images with us. I may have to put this one on my bucket list.
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Monika,
Krakow was a pleasant surprise. Before the trip, I wasn’t that excited about this stop – but then it turned into a great stop!
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Those kinds of travel surprises make the best memories.
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Absolutely!
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Such a rich and interesting history. I would really love to see Schindler’s factory. How wonderful that it has been made a museum. So much to see!
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Debra,
We are glad we went to Schlindler’s. It surprised us because most focused on the war in Poland – so only a small section about him and want he did. But that’s ok … still well done.
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