"Enchanted" city
I always wanted to visit Poland and especially Krakrva. Obviously, the romance of G. Senkevich's books "The Crusaders" and "The Flood" played a role. Or maybe the eventful history of Poland. If we got to know Poland a little after visiting the wonderful city of Wroclaw, then Krakow remained an "enchanted" city. Three times tours to this city failed for various reasons. This time the tour was also on the verge of failure, but everything worked out and we are going to Krakow.
I was very pleased with the new high-speed highway, which begins immediately after crossing the border at the Krakovets point. So quickly, without traffic jams, we arrived in Krakow. Pleased with the hotel "Chopin". Not far from the center. There is a bar and a restaurant in the lobby, open until 23.00.
Let's go on our own to the first meeting with Krakow. 15 minutes walk and we are at the Barbican. It is already dark, so the first meeting will be in the evening lighting. Past the beautiful building of the theatre, through the Florian Gate we go along the Royal Route. It's impossible to get lost. Evening Krakow is mysterious and solemnly beautiful. Here is the Rynok Square with the famous Sukennitsy, St. Mary's Church and Town Hall Tower. There are not very many people. Past the St. Peter and Paul Church, past one of the oldest St. Andrew's Church along the mysterious Canon Street we reach the Wawel Castle.
We didn't get to the restaurant "Pod Wawel". There are no free tables, and you don’t want to wait at all. On the other street we return to Rynok Square. Please note that shops with alcohol (separately from other products) work around the clock. We find the restaurant "Zdarske Yadlo" and decide to end the evening there. Dinner for two with Zubrovka and wine about PLN 60.
In the evening, all the shops in Sukennice are open. I looked at amber jewelry for a long time. Not even on the subject of buying (though not without it), but just to admire. I really liked the variety of amber pendants without frames (from PLN 15). Green amber necklaces and earrings set in silver from 500 to 700 PLN. In almost all shops you can pay with cards. Under a light rain, we return to the hotel very pleased with the "disenchanted" city.
Morning. No rain, but no sun either. The guide, who is very much in love with his city, starts the tour from the Grunwald Battle Monument. The day imposes its own realities and the city no longer seems so mysterious, which does not reduce its beauty. From the Barbican through the Florian Gate we repeat the hike along the Royal Route. At the Florian Gate, artists hang their products. We move to Rynok square to St. Mary's Church. We listen to the unfinished melody of the trumpeter and go along the same Kanonichi street to Wavel. Here we are informed that today the royal chambers cannot be visited, they offer us something that is not interesting to us, so there will only be an external tour.
I was struck by the Cathedral with its harmonious chaos of buildings and outbuildings. Interesting courtyard of the palace. We went to the wall and admired the Vistula and the famous Krakow dragon.
A little surprise. The Czartoryski Museum is under renovation, but Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine" can be viewed here in Wawel. A sort of museum of one painting. Which is what we did. No crowds, good lighting, watch as much as you want. What can I say. She is lovely. Her cloak is blue, not greenish, as in reproductions, and the ermine is good. There is a statue in the souvenir shop that repeats the plot of the painting. Those who wish can take a picture.
I buy a ticket (PLN 9.5) and go to the Cathedral. Beauty and solemnity. Very worth a look. We drink coffee with tiramisu (not real, without mascarpone) 15 zł and leave Wawel. On the way we visit the Franciscan Church. It is dark in the church, workers are working, repairing the tiles on the floors. In the other transept, students are being lectured, but the stained glass windows are in all their glory. On the stained-glass windows there is an interlacing of various colors of their glass. Well, very beautiful!
Next visit St. Mary's Church with its famous altar. We buy a ticket (9 zł ). The altar is wooden, similar to a three-door cabinet with beautiful figures carved in wood, beautifully decorated and gilded. There are about 200 figurines on the altar. To say it is beautiful is to say nothing. I just didn't want to leave.
We decide not to go to Kazimierz. We'll keep it for future visits. We walk along Rynok Square. We buy Wawel cakes, souvenirs and Krakow pastries. The aunt with pastries has a portable terminal, you can pay with a card. We leave for a late lunch. Institution "Zdybanka". Grilled meat for a companion, grilled trout for me, Zubrovka and wine (PLN 70). The portions are large, everything is tasty and fast. Once again we pass through the Florian Gate and past the Brabakan. Kpakov really liked. Mysterious, solemn and cozy. I really want to fulfill my dream and visit here for Catholic Christmas.
