Safe and sound in Krakow, landing about an hour ago and met by an elderly Gentleman who was sent by the tour company to pick me up and drive me to the hotel.
Check out their great tours at: www.IntoPoland.com.
This independent tour company can custom make tours as well. They are very accommodating and helpful! They put this tour together for me in such a short time and I am so looking forward to what I will see on this journey!
In the dark, Krakow is such a beautiful city and I am staying at a 16th century hotel called Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem with lots of old world charm, creaky hardwood floors, and a feel like I am back in time. I wonder how many people have stayed here over the ages. So much history, and these buildings have seen it all! This quaint hotel just happens to be across the street from the ancient fortress wall of St. Florian’s Gate and a two minute walk from the Barbican.
St. Florian’s Gate is a fortified Gothic tower built in the 14th century and first mentioned in historical records as of 1307. It was constructed to protect Krakow from the Tatar attacks and was the only entry point to the city during this time. In the 19th century, Austrian authorities destroyed the majority of the city walls and seven of the eight gates, leaving only this gate intact.
This gate is named after St. Florian who was a Roman officer during the Great Persecution of 303 AD. He refused to sacrifice Christians and as a result of his refusal, he was executed by the Romans in 304 AD. He is considered the “adopted” patron saint of Poland, as well as a patron saint of Austria. He is the patron saint of firefighters, chimney sweeps, and soap makers. His feast day is May 4th.
The Barbican is a Gothic-styled fortified outpost built in 1498 and was once attached to the defensive walls which had encircled the city.
According to the Wikipedia description, “it is considered a marvel in medieval engineering and based on Arabic rather than European defensive strategy”.
It has such a rich and vibrant history, and is now taken care of by the Historical Museum of Krakow.
There's also a Polish busker outside somewhere on the cobblestone streets, singing with all of his heart, some lovely English folk songs, and then playing a kazoo when he's not. The songs are catchy, but I will never hear them the same way again now that I hear them with the accompanying kazoo. It makes me laugh out loud.
I am off to eat a late dinner then head for bed. I have an early morning tour to Auschwitz. I am having lots of thoughts and intense emotions moving through me in anticipation of this tour. I know it won’t be an easy tour to get through for me. So much senseless tragedy!
Remembering to breathe! Night all! Sleep well!
Cheers, Jae
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