We find ourselves in the land of Rubik’s cube. I don’t know why Kraków’s claim to fame is the Rubik’s Cube; after all, Erno Rubik was Hungarian. I guess it’s just how they roll in the Baltics. They never could get along. I don’t know what to expect of Krakow but after Prague, the Poles are going to have to really bring it, but then that would be a clear violation of Rule #2 (don’t get jaded.)
Krakow was one of the first listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites so let’s just agree to keep an open mind and enjoy this green leafy circular belt around the old walled city called the Planty.
The green border was created by filling in the surrounding moat and planting this green lovely garden, which brings us to the one of the original seven fortified city gates.
This place has a family fun sort of vibe but as soon as we headed towards the old central plaza — at some 40,000 sq meters it’s said to be the largest in Europe — we ran into this torture museum.
We could never determine if they were for it or against it.
Even the buskers are a little unusual.
After winding through Kraków’s medieval streets we gained the old town central plaza.
Yeah, it’s plenty big but we instantly found ourselves engulfed in a demonstration. It was the first of many we witnessed in Europe during the summer of 2024.
Streetside, at a quiet cafe for lunch, once again we were treated to a demonstration, this one for Ukraine.
I’d say they’re for Ukraine but against incarceration. When you grow up in the 1960’s you get a feel for these kinds of things.
These two are famous mathematicians and I think they’re hashing out a new Babach-Nicodym Theorem. Why everyone thinks it’s good luck to rub their hands is beyond me. At least it just their hands.
Just off the main plaza we found the impressive St. Mary’s Basilica.
Back on the plaza we plunge into the market, which was once a very long building called Cloth Hall.
After a half mile long shopping experience, creeping along past one vendor after another, we decided to take a break with a stroll along the Vistula River.
It’s not every day that you come face to face with a mechanized fire breathing dragon.
Finally we saw a corner of the Wawel Royal Castle overlooking the river.
I often wonder whether these fortifications are meant to protect the nabobs from their subjects or their subjects from folks like the Tatars who in 1241 sacked and destroyed the entire town.
Once again we wandered the streets of Krakow.
A quick stop for authentic Polish food.
We liked Krakow, and it makes us wish we’d planned to spend more time in other places in Poland. But we have an appointment tomorrow with evil, so it’s time to move along.