Poland: Krakow (page 1)
Poland: Krakow (page 1)
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Wawal Castle Cathedral |
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We had a great time on this trip and would like to return some day. We would like to spend more time at Berkenau as we were a little rushed. Krakow is a great place for shopping as the British Pound is so strong. The people were friendly, the food was great and everything is very inexpensive. Our Hotel was only a 2 star hotel, but it was very nice, and cheap. It was in a great location, only a 10 minute walk from the City Center and the Old Jewish Area. It was also directly across the street from the Wawal Castle. To walk to the City Center, we would walk along the tree lined park path that encircles the old town. An all you can eat breakfast buffet was also included at the hotel that was very good. When we arrived, it was cool and raining hard, but stopped after about 3 hours. The forecast said rain and clouds the entire time so we were prepared with umbrellas and waterproof shoes, pants and jackets. As it turned out, the rain stopped after 3 hours and the sun came out. We had sunny blue skies the rest of our vacation until we boarded the plane to return to London. At the airport, it started raining again. We could not have planned it any better. Our Hotel
Some things we really liked - ok, it's all alcohol :)
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| Hotel Royal: Our 2 star hotel directly across the street from the Wawal Castle. The second photo shows the staircase from the top floor where our room was located. Yes, there was an elevator. | |||
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| Park: This is the tree-lined park that encircles the old town of Krakow. As you can see it is fall. The colors were beautiful and it was only a short 10 minute walk into the city center. | |||
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| Wawal Castle: The Vistulanians once built a citadel. It was replaced by a succession of buildings, including the Renaissance castle and Gothic cathedral that stand there today. Once a the site of coronations and royal burials, the Royal Cathedral is regarded by Poles as a spiritual shrine. | |||
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| Wawal Castle Cathedral: The Cathedral, Poland's national sanctuary with 1000-year-old history, was the coronation site of Polish monarchs. | |||
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| Wawal Castle State Rooms | |||
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| Wawal Castle Courtyard: Photos from within the castle walls. | |||
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| Wawal Castle Dragon's Den: Tradition connects the beginnings of Krakow with one Prince Krak who rid his people of a dragon devouring both their stock and their virgins. And the large 200-foot-long cavern in the western rocky slope of the Wawel Hill above the Vistula river bank known for centuries as the monster’s den still attracts swarms of visitors. Actually, the Dragon’s Cave (Polish ‘Smocza Jama’) is the area’s oldest residence, inhabited by man from the Stone Age through the 16th century. | |||
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| Market Square: The huge market square (Rynek Glowny). This square is one of the largest in Europe. | |||
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| St. Mary's Basilica: Located in the Main Market Square. | |||
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| St. Mary's Basilica (Trumpet): The famous trumpet call - the Hejnal - is sounded hourly from the tower. The call is unfinished, in memory of the medieval trumpeter, shot while sounding the alarm. | |||
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| St. Mary's Basilica - Crucifix: The large sandstone crucifix by Veit Stross is a fine example of 15th century sculpture. | |||
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| St. Mary's Basilica - Alter of the Virgin: This is a huge 43 by 36 feet alter-piece of incredibly detailed medieval carving that took its German creator, Veit Stoss, 12 years of his life to complete. | |||
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| Cloth Hall: In the center of the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall replaces an earlier Gothic trade hall dating from the second half of the 14th century. The hall now contains various souvenir shops. | |||
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| St. Wojciech Church: This is a small Romanesque church predating the planning of the vast Main Market Square. | |||
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