Exploring the Old Town by Land, Sky, and River

the Barbikan - medieval gate of
the wall around Krakow's Old Town

We met our tour guide at the hotel, and we walked around our neighborhood (Kazimierz) and learned its history.  Kazimierz used to be an entirely different city, and it's actually like an island because it is surrounded by the main part of the Vistula River and a smaller separate river section. It was settled by King Casimir (it's named after him) and only much later in its history was it associated with Jews.  Today, it's difficult to know the boundary between the two, because the city is so built up.  Krakow's Old Town, which was our destination, is surrounded by a green belt - a beautiful park that winds its way around the old city.  Here, next to the western park is the medieval fortress just outside the entrance:

No tour of Krakow would be complete without visiting St. Mary's.  Katie wrote this description:

"Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven,"also known as Saint Mary's Basilica, is situated in the middle of the Old Town Square, and it is one of Poland's most famous churches. It was built in the 14th century. It includes two noteworthy towers which are visible anywhere when standing in Krakow.


This Church has amazing architecture and art work. Words or pictures can't even describe how beautiful this church really is, but these photos give you a clue:


       BREATHTAKING!





After the church, we had a lunch break, and then we visited the Wawel Castle.

Here's how the castle looks from the river.
Invaders had to get up the hill
and over the moat

and bypass the soldiers
mounted
on war horses

This is Gus's description:

view of Krakow from the tower

We learned about all the fires that destroyed parts of the castle and the remodeling that was done. It was hard for us because the additions and changes were blended together well. But no one could miss the clock tower bell clapper that had broken.  We passed it on our way up to the top of the clock tower, where we had a great view of Krakow and made sure to touch the new bell clapper with our left hand. 

it's supposed to
give you good luck

Rebecca, who has training in art history, noticed that some rooms in the Wawel Castle were decorated in a pastiche (mixture) of medieval, proto-Renaissance, Renaissance, Mannerism, and Baroque.  Each one of these terms refers to representative features. For example, the difference between a Renaissance and a Baroque tapestry is that in the latter there will be shadows, more dynamism in the positions of the bodies, and greater depth – whereas a Renaissance scene will be softer looking, less detailed, and less realistic.  Rebecca noted that in a single room, the paintings were from different eras, but the wall painted underneath the ceiling (surrounding the room) was medieval, and the ceilings were typically Baroque. The subject matter of the paintings was also mixed, like a room with both a painting of Mary with Jesus (Christian) and the goddess Minerva (pagan).

Wawel Cathedral exterior

The Wawel Cathedral is part of the huge castle complex. It is pretty awesome. Unlike St. Mary's, it has a more sober design. It was the cathedral not only of the Archbishop, but it also belonged to the Polish monarchs.  Important people are buried inside: saints, kings, queens/princesses, and the past president of Poland who died in the plane crash in Smolensk. 

After all the excitement, it was time to chill on a boat, rest our feet, and watch the city go by: