Thursday, November 15, 2007

At long last- some pictures!

Okay, here is the door of a church in a little village about three hours down the Vistula called Kazamierz. I was blown away by the beauty and the antiquity of this cool door. Check out the threshold stones under my feet. How neat is that? Can you imagine how many centuries it would take to wear them down like that?

Here is the guard tower that was here before the town or even the church I just showed you. We got to climb up there and take in the view.

This village specializes in funky chicken bread. It tastes good too! I can't wait to try to make it myself, I think I'll make some for Thanksgiving.


This neat trunk was in the hotel lobby in Krakow. I loved the wooden wheels, and can you see the date on it? 1781.

This was a wall in the oldest synagogue in Krakow, and that's saying something. It's from somewhere around the 1300s. It's been restored, bu they kept some of the carved walls exposed.

This was the oldest Jewish cemetary in the city. It was so overgrown with moss and forlorn, with headstones leaning and toppling.

This was a little escape tunnel in a basement restaurant we ate at. This was in the seriously old part of the city, within the walls. When part of the city was under attack, the citizens would be able to get to each other's houses, and emerge where the fighting wasn't so hot so they could stretch their legs, forage for food, take a jog, walk the dog, you get the picture.

If you are ever offered Polish pancakes, and you are on a diet, run. Just run away. These will take away any self control you have. Mine were the sweet cheese ones. They tasted just as good at four the next morning.
This was the last chapel in the salt mine. See the shiny floor? Salt. The carvings in the walls? Salt too.
Is this quartz you ask? Nope, salt. It's hard to believe, I know, but I've licked it. It's true.



The chapel at the Wawel castle. This castle was really popular with conquering hordes. They just kept occupying it throughout history. Each particular horde left their mark. The Swedes made a parade ground for their troops, the German's left a hospital. Go figure.
This was the splendid view from our hotel room. I think it's the opera house.


Ah, this is Mary's church, where the heynal is played by the trumpeter of Krakow every hour of the day. There are legends about the courage of the trumpeter, warning the city of, you guessed it, oncoming hourdes. He got stuck with an arrow before he could finish, so the trumpeter stops his song early as a tribute.
One of the last remaining guard towers left. Isn't it splendid? Now, imagine what another forty would have looked like!


My favorite, the knight's outpost just outside the wall. Note the notched windows for defense. The ground I'm standing on must have seen a lot of action!

This is the oldest building of the university. It was built around the 1300s too. The caution tape is there because it's raining, and the drain dumps right there. Well, that's all for now, I hope you enjoyed these, I sure did.










2 comments:

Lee said...

Missy this is so awesome. I bet you are just loving every minute. I am so excited for you. Those pictures are great, I am loving all of the architecture. Great job capturing the memories of your trip. Can't wait to hear all of the details!!!

Home of the Muddy Kids said...

I can't even imagine seeing such old buildings and hearing their histories. That's so cool.