Our first look at Krakow.

It was great to go by train and be able to relax instead of driving. It took 5 hours so we arrived just before 11 pm. An Uber to our B&B, up 5 flights of stairs, a quick shower and crash in bed.

Autumn was due to hit today and we woke up to heavy cloud and rain and cool at last. Seems a bit churlish to complain about endless sunshine but we get plenty of that in Australia. After a quick breakfast we found a tram to take us to the old town.

Krakow has a very large historical area and I have a lot to show you. It is a town with a heart and a soul and an amazing history.

The Old Town of Krakow covers a significant area and there is a lot to see and do. We started at The Barbican, a fortress built in the late 1400’s which still has three towers and part of the wall surviving.

At a lot of the historical places the city has created brass replicas depicting what was. This is a very tactile replica and to help the blind, all the text is also in Braille.

This tower was the place of public executions.

Looking for business.

We then moved towards the central square. This is enormous with a cathedral in one corner, the old town hall in the centre, and a watchtower overlooking it all. As is usual the square is resplendent with cafes and restaurants and today a flower market as well.

Mighty small shop.

The main Cathedral in Krakow which is not open for tourists. We managed to get inside during a 10 minute prayer window but couldn’t get a photo. It is very dark but very spectacular inside.

The old town hall

The watchtower, taken late in the afternoon when we had a bit of blue sky.

One of the many buskers. He was good playing the glasses.

Krakow has an enormous number of churches, some very ornate and beautiful inside.

Beautiful iron and brass doors.

Then to the old castle. We could spend the whole day here so just a quick look today and maybe some more tomorrow.

The modern mobile police force.

The Old Jewish Sector was next on the list. It has had a chequered history of its own but 5here are still synagogues operating, one of which we visited. It is called The Old Synagogue, dating back to the 1500’s.

Not much from the outside.

The collections box.

Jan Karski. His plaque makes interesting reading.

Lunch of street food was great.

Where old sewing machines go to die.

This car is part of a self drive hire as you need it system. Bartek uses it in Poznan and so we hired this car for a 4 km trip. Cheaper than Uber. Great system.

Ladies fashion in Krakow.

Back to the town square for coffee and cake.

A quiet night and more of Krakow tomorrow.