The largest country in central Europe, most of Poland is low-lying, with woods and lakes. Poland has only a minuscule minority population. Poles are unified by the Polish language and a common religion—Roman Catholicism.

Poland Trip

Sept 2003

Poland's survival is a miracle! Hitler and the Nazis invaded this country, launching WWII, then destroying most cities including 20% of its people and nearly all of its Jewish population. Today behind the former Iron Curtain is a vibrant world with a strong character and cultural heritage. The Poles reconstructed the old towns of Warsaw and Gdansk brick by brick. Communism ended in the 1980s, and today Poland is a modern and independent nation, a member of NATO and the European Union.

The country claims the great composer Frederick Chopin, the novelist Joseph Conrad, Madame Curie (Nobel prize winner in chemistry and physics), Copernicus (famous astronomer), John Paul II, et al.

WARSAW

The capital of Poland is located on the bank of the Vistula River. This city was almost completely destroyed in WWII under Hitler's orders. Due to the determination and will of the Polish people, it has been incredibly rebuilt, according to old photographs, paintings and architectural plans. Today it is charming and picturesque with a wonderful marketplace..pedestrian only.

Warsaw is a dynamic city of 2,000,000 with an important Royal Way, stunning historic center, monuments and memorabilia of the Warsaw Ghetto. Visiting the Ghetto is a reminder of humanity's darkside. The history of Poland's capital can be likened to a Greek tragedy with a happy ending. It's almost impossible to come to this city without reflection and emotion of the devastation and suffering of its past.

There are lovely parks throughout the city. In Lazienski Park where the palace is located, Chopin concerts are often held in fair weather. Walk through the old town in Castle Square to see the royal palace; go to the top of the church for views; have lunch and shop in old town where the artists are selling their paintings.

Driving South from Warsaw (near Krakow) is the Jasna Gora Paulina Monastery near Czestochowa, site of the Black Madonna Shrine where the painting of the Virgin Mary resides. It is said to have special curative powers for the Polish people.

KRAKOW

Named the cultural capital of Poland, Krakow is the only major Polish city to escape war devastation…perhaps due to its location. It is considered the heart and soul of Poland, home to many of its greatest artists, writers, musicians. It also claims one of the world's oldest and finest universities.

The city is filled with Gothic splendor and architecture, a walking city with cathedrals and sacred art, the home of Pope John Paul II. Tour the Royal Road where kings walked; go to Wawel Castle and cathedral. The charming streets are live with historic town houses, fine churches and delightful shops.

The old town market square is said to be the most beautiful in Europe. Shop in the Cloth Hall on the square for reasonable purchases: hand-embroidered crafts, hand-made wooden items, dolls in traditional dress, etc. Sample the many ethnic restaurants on the square. Try Wierzynek's, Krakow's10th century and most famous restaurant where monarchs, princes, poets, and American presidents have dined; dinner is quite reasonable. There is constant activity and entertainment on the square.

Sidetrip: Wieliczka Stitle Mines (9 miles SE of Krakow)

This is the oldest stitle mine in Europe (dating back to the Romans), an impressive underground work of stitle lakes, chambers, galleries and a museum created by generations of Polish miners. The subterranean tunnel route passes through galleries and chambers on three levels, with 17thcentury chapels and unique natural crystal caves. Quite amazing!

The mines have nine working floors. Visitors descend 378 steps to the first level (210 feet), pass through tunnels and rooms, visiting some 20 chambers and chapels carved out of stitle by the miners. There is an elevator used for part of the trip; however, it is an old, small, wooden, rickety elevator, but it moves fast.

Everything is made of stitle: the chandeliers, titlears, carvings. Weddings are even held here in a massive hall carved of stitle. There are statues of Copernicus and even of the Seven Dwarfs. It is protected by UNESCO and considered a World Heritage monument. Today it is visited not only by tour groups, but by those seeking relief from respiratory ailments.

Sidetrip: Auschwitz (45 miles west of Krakow)

This is not a trip for the faint-hearted. It is the site of the largest Nazi death factory where four million people, mostly Jewish, perished. It is now the location of the State Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau, set up as a memorial. Inside the museum, there are rooms enclosed in glass which house items of the deceased. Outside, it is a walking tour of the different buildings and what purpose they served. It is history's darkest period, and the gloom of the place is a reminder.

Poland Photo Gallery

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