dimanche 8 septembre 2013
This summer was an opportunity to discover a new country, Poland (Polska). I still remember with what enthusiasm I jumped on the plane, how excited I was to set foot in this remote and totally unknown country. And so, what fun I had to finally visit my dear accomplice of this blog, Renata. You should know that Eastern or central Europeans (the geographical position of Poland on the European continent seems to be a sensitive topic) have mindsets that are closer to us than Asian people, but their ethnocultural roots distinguish them from Latin and Anglo-Saxons. The Polish is defined as a Slavic person.
So, in the heatwave of the end of July, it was destination Cracow. Known as the episcopal seat of Karol Wojtyla before his accession to the papacy and become John Paul II, the city is considered as one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is in fact one of the first cities to join the List of World Heritage Site in 1978, with its historic center. With its 756,000 inhabitants, Cracow is now the second largest city of the country. Also located on the banks of the Vistula river, it was the capital from 1040 until 1596. It remains today the "cultural and intellectual heart" of Poland. Some would say that having seen Cracow before Warsaw, I might find the latter less beautiful if I have the opportunity to return to Poland. But I'm sure I still have a lot to do, a lot of attractions to find here and there: beautiful historic monuments, colorful facades, beautiful parks...
But the Grand-Market Square of Cracow, Wow! What a nice place. The historic city center is an outstanding example of medieval architecture. Around the market square, the largest in Europe after St. Mark's Square in Venice, there are many palaces, churches, well-preserved historic homes.
And what animation! In addition to traditional souvenir shops, there is in this place dozens of stalls selling various products, handicrafts and "tourist trap." There are also clownish characters, with their shows, trying to attract attention and a few coins, not to mention the horse drivers that are around the place, looking for customers.
The whole creates a unique atmosphere where many people come to stroll while chatting with friends, meeting over a beer in one of the many cafes that are around the place. This is a very touristy town where you hear a multitude of languages and sometimes even a little too French. I wondered during some short moments if I really left Paris. Fortunately, that feeling was short-lived.
Near the Grand-Place market, do not forget to especially visit the Wawel Royal Castle, a typical Renaissance building overlooking the Vistula. Its blend of architecture and interior wealth will not leave you indifferent. You will discover several exhibitions, including a very impressive: the Armory. Inside the castle is also the Cathedral, a Gothic monument built around the year 1000.
Also, the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364 and considered like the Sorbonne in Poland attracts students from everywhere including overseas and it gives the city an air of youth. This university counts among its former, Nicolas Copernicus and Pope John Paul II.
Moreover, another part of the city with terraced cafes atmosphere seem to be trendy: Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter. In addition to its historical significance, it is now an area rich in art galleries, cafes and restaurants galleries.
Also around the city, you could schedule a visit to Auchswitz-Birkenau camp. Too heavy emotionally for me to try. So, on the advice of Renata's father, I pulled on a visit to another historic site but completely different: the Wieliczka salt mine, which is apparently "one of the most amazing trips" of Europe.
Located about 10 kms from the city, this place is part of the UNESCO heritage and is really amazing. Well, you'll certainly not visit this place more than once, but to come to Cracow and to ignore it would be a sort of aberration. The mine tour allows you to see the first 135 meters underground on the existing 300. Therefore, refrain claustrophobic! The descent through hundreds of steps and vision of this depth are rather impressive. You will have to descent patiently and go down, down, down again without seeing the end. Rest assured, for the return, an elevator ascends to the surface in no time! We then visited many rooms in galleries divided along 2 kms.
Since its inception in 1772, these rooms are the result of the extraction of salt. They were carved to give sets that are difficult to believe that they are so deep underground and they were created with so little technical instruments during that time. The most spectacular achievement is undoubtedly the Chapel of St. Kinga.
From floor to ceiling, everything is made entirely of salt. On the walls, you'll then see sculptures, reliefs, statues.
The city of Cracow is small but it has an obvious charm. The sunshine was more than present and I took colors. Those who know me never believe me when I tell them that, and yet... In conclusion, those days have finally seemed very short to discover the soul of a nation. Maybe we'll try to say a word about it in a next article. A country can not be explained, neither a city, a street, a park and so on. It can be written if needed. At best, it is photographed, but mostly it is lived. Usually, they say that you have to leave to have a better return. I hate this feeling at the highest point, when you feel that what you enjoyed will not happen again. Not never again, but not before some (long) time. Because we don't know when, because there's a damn question mark on the next date. But for sure, I'll be back!
The city of Cracow is small but it has an obvious charm. The sunshine was more than present and I took colors. Those who know me never believe me when I tell them that, and yet... In conclusion, those days have finally seemed very short to discover the soul of a nation. Maybe we'll try to say a word about it in a next article. A country can not be explained, neither a city, a street, a park and so on. It can be written if needed. At best, it is photographed, but mostly it is lived. Usually, they say that you have to leave to have a better return. I hate this feeling at the highest point, when you feel that what you enjoyed will not happen again. Not never again, but not before some (long) time. Because we don't know when, because there's a damn question mark on the next date. But for sure, I'll be back!
Inscription à :
Articles (Atom)