Krakow, was this Christopher's transformation or what is God's plan for Krakow?

The second largest city in Poland and again the subject of Jewish death's, the Jewish Ghetto and as a sign reminds us everyday in a shop window 3000 Polish people were killed by the German's every day between 1st November 1939 & 8th May 1945. Unlike Warsaw the destruction during WW2 was much less intense and most building survived to reveal their beauty,colours and design work to this day especially in the Old Town area.

The ride down from Warsaw was one of delight as freeways were largely not used mainly as they do not exist and instead country roads that traveled into villages and along the farming lands were used.

The stone fruit and Apples are now in season so for kilometres the roadside fields were full of orchards. The Cherry trees were red with tremendous crops along with Apricots and the Apple trees were still green as the fruit was yet to ripen. Some apples were already affected by black spot so crop averages may be down somewhat.

With no freeways came a lack of service stations with many either closed or only offering diesel fuel. However sufficient existed to see us refueling at small stations that still served excellent coffee at cheap rates and lunch was taken in a town where the route took us down what appeared to be the main street despite a modern dual laned road bypassing? the town.

Farm houses were of modern construction and towards Krakow the urban sprawl was cutting into the farmlands with unit blocks about 2-3 storeys.

Krakow is known world wide for being the home to Pope John Paul II where he served as Arch Bishop for some 14yrs before his elevation. We saw the Cathedral he preached at ,his home for many years and we also dropped around to his rooms for afternoon tea. This was a disappointment as only a large photo shows in the window.

Again buildings of virtually every European style are evident from the many Cathedrals, The Royal Palace,The Church on the rock, Oskar Schindler's factory,Barbakan (the only old gate way left) to Mariacki Church and Sukiennice all shown in the photo album with this blog.

Wawel Castle was visited and it is a sprawling Medieval set of buildings

St Mary's Basilica is unique in that on the hour from each of the four directions in the left hand tower,Gothic watchtower, a single trumpter plays part of a tune. This symbolises the alarm call to the citizens of Krakcow by the playing of Hejnal mariacki until mid steam when out of tradititon it stops as the original trumpter was shot in the throat by the invading Mongols in the 13th Century. A fictional story The Trumpter of Krakow in 1929 by Eric P Kelly , made this event famous but not for the correct reason.

Sukiennice or Cloth Hall was worth the visit as this building central to the main market square in the Old Town now houses many stalls selling mostly goods made in Poland while the upper floor is a museum holding Poland's best paintings and sculptures.

Krakow was once the Capital of Poland and hence many of the fine buildings reflect the past glory of the former capital.