Krakow, Poland deliver one of my trip’s biggest surprises. I admit not knowing what to expect, but a big thumbs up to this wonderful city. I posted about it here – but in this post, a few of the oddities I encountered.
The Hourly Trumpeter
The tower of St. Mary’s Church on Old Town Square served as a vantage point for spotting invaders. Some say the trumpet sounds for the opening and closing of the city gates at dawn and dusk. Others prefer this legend. As the invading Tatars approached the city in 1241, a trumpeter sounded the alarm to close the city gates; however, a Tatar arrow pierced the trumpeter in the throat before completing the song – therefore the abrupt ending.
Today, the trumpeter still sounds the alarm at the top of every hour, and in four different directions toward different gates. Poles love the tradition so much, Polish radio broadcasts the noon event across the country.
The Head
How about this unique statue? It also serves as a common meeting place for people. Hey – meet you at The Head at 6 pm.
Dinner Time
My wife had these wonderful perogies for dinner. However, it seems Poles call them Dumplings.
Moons Over Krakow
Back in the hotel after a full day in Krakow, I looked out our hotel room window to find this site – Two Moons Over Krakow. Wow – that could be a song title!
A Frank Angle 
What wonderful photographs Frank. I’ve never imagined visiting Poland but it is charming. The tradition of sounding The alarm for so many years is amazing . I do wonder what the sculpture “the Head” represents. Such a lovely journey you’ve been on.
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Holly,
Krakow is an interesting city to visit. Definitely a pleasant surprise! The trumpet tradition is interesting – especially the abrupt ending. Then the trumpeter waves to the people before moving to the next window. Regarding The Head, I’m not sure about the representation.
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Most interesting!
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Enjoyed the glimpse into Krakow. My father’s family came from Scala, a small town not too far away.
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Bumba,
Cheers for this post taking you back to your heritage. If you didn’t see it, my previous post on Krakow is linked in the opening paragraph.
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Just interesting stuff to see and learn about.
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I was never told my maternal grandmother was Polish. I researched her name. I want to go.
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Cindy,
Knowing that you enjoy travel, I’m confident you would enjoy Krakow. GO!!!!
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So what were you looking at in that final photo Frank? Is it perhaps a mural? I can’t tell and apologies if I’m just being dense and/or need to put my specs on …….
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Pauline,
The last photo is definitely NOT a mural. It’s the real thing – a view out our hotel window. The building was across the street and the moon in the sky. The second moon? Had to be a reflection of some kind. Definitely strange – but glad I captured it.
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How intriguing!
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My favourite were the ‘dumplings’ and the head! And I am curious about the two moons?!
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Lenora!
Hope all is well with you. Krakow was interesting. My previous post about it is in the opening paragraph. The moons? Weird … Definitely a strange reflection event. When I saw it, I called my wife over to see it and got the camera.
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All is well, thank you! I hope all is well with you too. Ahhh, a strange reflection event describes the phenomenon most suitably … that is fodder for a story, methinks 🙂
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Now that’s a good idea.
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PS: My blessings to use the pic for a short story on your blog.
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Thank you! 😀
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Wonderful Images Frank, and Poland one place in Europe I have not been and looks a fascinating city. Love their long held tradition of blowing the Trumpets.. And enjoyed the added video for effect.. The ‘Dumplings’ look yummy, and it looks like you have some wonderful memories from this place
Enjoy the beginnings of your New Year Frank.
Take care..
Sue 🙂 ❤
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Sue,
Be on the lookout for cheap airfare to Krakow! I highly recommend it as it was a very pleasant surprise. And those dumplings were good (although that was my wife’s meal) … at least I got to taste them. 🙂
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💖 😁 they looked it
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That is so cool about the trumpet sounding. I imagine it stopped during WWII, and I wonder when it started again. The pierogis look delicious.
The “Head” statue reminds me of how people used to meet at the Eagle in the old Wanamaker’s store in Philadelphia. (It’s now a Macy’s.)
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Merril,
Meet at The Head – Meet at the Eagle … Oh yes … love the connection! Good thought about the trumpeter during WW2, I’m not sure – but my thought would be along with you.
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Love this idea of the trumopet still sounding after so many years, even if that isn’t the true reason.
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Drew,
I agree … who cares what the real story is … just enjoy the tradition!
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Exactly.
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Thank you for the tour, Frank. Excellent.
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John,
Thanks for joining the tour!
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Excellent photography. Sounds like you had a great trip. The two moons picture is so cool. 🙂 Happy New Year.
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Charlie!
It was a fabulous trip. Actually reported on all the stops – so this tidbit series will feature various odds and ends. Here’s a link to all the posts (starting with the most recent) https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/category/travel/eastern-europe/ … Hope all is well with you!
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I will head over and take a read my friend. 🙂
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Great photos but that last one is pretty special.
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George,
Thanks … and you hit the reason why I put that pic at the end. Thanks for joining the journey.
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Holy mackerel, Frank. Fabulous images! What a beautiful city steeped with tradition and pageantry. LOVE it 🥰
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Monika,
Glad you enjoyed these tidbits. Krakow is definitely interesting! and oh yes – this place has its share of pageantry.
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Interesting tidbits! Love the head!
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Jo,
Glad you enjoyed these tidbits – and The Head seems to be popular with readers! 🙂
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Each of these unexpected surprises must surely have delighted you. I love the idea of the “warning” sound still trumpeted at the top of every hour. Imagine having that as your occupation! And the “Head” is very unique, too. Very nice photos, Frank.
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Debra,
Their obviously multiple trumpeters have the job. I recall reading 4 or 5. Some do it for their entire working life of over 30 years … and it has also been generations within a family involved. Simply fascinating.
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Nice of you to give us these extras, Frank! Gives us that more reason to add it to potential places to visit…
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Dale,
I got the idea for the “series” from the idea of wanting to do something with certain photos. There won’t be one for every stop, so we will see where it goes.
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We’ll enjoy what you offer 😁
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WOW! ‘The Head’ statue in Krakow’s Town Square really got me hooked on Igor Mitoraj’s other works. https://www.artsy.net/artist/igor-mitoraj
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Tim,
I am not surprised that The Head captured your attention and initiated a curiosity to see more from the artist.
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Your post made me smile with your interesting tidbits about Krakow.
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Karen,
This were pics I wanted to use, but wasn’t sure how .. Besides, I didn’t want the original Krakow post to be too long – so at least in my mind, a tidbits post works.
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Very nice, Frank! My mom’s parents came from Poland at the turn of the 19th century. My mom’s mom was a boat child.
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Resa,
Glad I was able to make your Polish blood flow with a pride. Cheers to those immigrants and their journey.
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Frank,
Great pics and tour as per.
When you think about how they’ve been doing this bugle call for hundreds of years . . . on the hour?! And meanwhile, us Americans can’t keep the same Monday Night Football announcer for more than a couple years since Frank Gifford . . .
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Marc,
Glad you enjoyed this – but keep in mind that similar to MNF, the same trumpeter has not been playing.
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What a gorgeous blue sky!I l loved listening to the trumpeter. I wonder whether he plays the same notes every hour, day in and day out. It would be nice to ring the changes occasionally. 😆 the ‘Head’ is a bit gruesome. Reminded me of the story of John the Baptist having his head presented on a silver platter to Herodias. 😱
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Sylvia,
It’s my understanding that it’s the same song, same tradition each time – but I wonder if the endings vary. Meanwhile, The Head is quite the sight.
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What’s the deal with the head? Any idea? The trumpeter story is neat! That archer was quite the shot, if the story’s true.
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Betsy,
Not sure of the artist’s story about The Head. True or not, the archer story is great as it’s serves as a backdrop to a wonderful tradition.
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Two 👍👍for capturing those two moons. I was laughing 😆 at your comment – meet me at the head @6 – 😂🤣. Isn’t a bathroom on a ship called the head?
I love the info behind the trumpet playing. This is a super post. I plan to pop by over to read more vacation info. MD today 😟
Isadora 😎
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Isadora,
The two moons are quiet the odd sight … and yes, the trumpet story is a good one – and a lasting tradition. FYI: I have a dedicated (and more serious) post about Krakow. The Tidbits series are extras after I did posts about the stops.
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