Christmas in Krakow

Cara Jasmine Bradley: Christmas in Krakow

Christmas in Krakow: The words sent fireworks of imagery hurtling through my brain upon booking our winter break, but nothing could have prepared me for the visual opulence that the city presented me with upon arrival. In true replication of a festive fairytale from long ago, I instantaneously became bound to the city, wrapped in a blanket of shimmering fervour. Portraying a classically effortless beauty, Krakow granted me with the gift of pleasantry surprise upon every twist and turn of the city’s timeless cobbled streets.

Within an hour of our arrival, the first flecks of snow had started to dance through the air, waltzing around the Main Square, dusting its grand steeples and turrets with an icing-sugar glaze.

The Main Square was first on our agenda. Nestled under a canopy of twinkling fairy-lights and panoramically shrouded by quirky, pastel coloured buildings and spectacular landmarks, Main Square felt like a magically secret location away from the rest of the world and the mundane. Majestic carriage-pulling horses moved in perfect unity with one another; the rhythmic strikes of their hooves on the cobbles echoing throughout the Old Town.

Every inch of Krakow was tastefully decorated for the Christmas period. Embellished trees dotted the city, glistening in royal blue and decedent silver.

The Christmas markets in Main Square and the Cloth Hall were bustling with merriment, but not uncomfortably crowded. Truth be told, I would have endured crowds and the bitter temperature for the sake of some cranberry-topped freshly grilled Oscypek cheese! (Honestly, if you’re ever in Poland, you absolutely need to try this delicacy!) From the carefully crafted chocolate tools, to the finely painted Nutcracker statures, there is no doubt that Krakow’s Christmas Markets provide a shopping experience with a difference.

Wawel Castle and what lies within its vicinity utterly define the term ‘breathtaking.’

Though the castle walls look imposing enough, you simply have to walk right up into the grounds to unwrap what I would confidentially declare as Krakow’s best kept secret.

The Wawel Cathedral is one of the most incredible buildings I have ever seen. I could have quite easily spent all morning falling deeper under its enchantment, trying to comprehend the intricacy of each turret, spiral and dome.

The Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz, compromises striking, poignant history with a cool, modern vibe. Think wonderful synagogues, splashes of contemporary street art, and a vibrant cafe scene. Speaking of street art… Don’t let Krakow’s olde-worlde charm fool you! Plastered across the city are the funkiest examples of graffiti art. If this kind of thing tickles your fancy amidst exploring Krakow’s more traditional side, I would recommend a trip across the river into Podgorze. Here, you can seek out the ‘Colourful Stairs,’ which pop and burst into view in Kaleidoscope fashion.

The day after the snow fall, Krakow transformed into a veritable winter wonderland of daydream quality. The residue and colours left by the snow illuminated the city and its spotless majesty even more. The sky roared with a startlingly perfect shade of refreshing blue; the most sumptuous backdrop for the likes of Wawel Castle, St Mary’s Basilica, and the Saint Peter and Paul Church. The sight of the sun setting across the tree-lined pathways lining the perimeter of the Castle and the Old Town will forever remain with me. Casting a leaking watercolour rich orange spotlight across the snow capped trees, the show put on by the receding sun left my spine tingling.

Krakow is an enduringly elegant city steeped in rugged tradition, and boasts all that makes Europe and its somewhat sentimental jumble of delightful cobbled cities the most remarkable place on any traveller’s bucket list.

 Cara Jasmine Bradley ©

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Interesting facts about Polish cities

Want to learn interesting facts about the largest cities in Poland?

Some of those cities are well known, some of them you might never heard of.

Do you know, which is the third largest city in Poland? Which Polish city would you call the most beautiful and unique city in the world? Would you know which one is the oldest city in Poland?

Find out the answers to these questions here https://bit.ly/2A5KsTx

Enjoy reading!

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Nicolaus Copernicus – The man who moved the Earth

Copernicus was an internationally recognised Polish astronomer and mathematician, best known for the theory that the sun is at the centre of the universe. 

His concept of a heliocentric solar system, in which sun rather than the earth is the centre of the solar system had a significant impact later on worker’s view of the universe, however was rejected by the Catholic church. 

He studied astronomy at the University of Cracow in Poland and it might to be hard to believe, but he wasn’t a scrupulous student. He started his study four years later, that the average student and it took him almost 9 years to graduate. He was multilingual and could speak Latin, Polish, German, Italian and Greek. His name was inspired by the name of his village.

More interesting facts about Nicolaus Copernicus here: https://bit.ly/2RO6LnO 

 

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All Saints’ & All Souls’ Day

The Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are important dates for most Poles.

Special value of this day lays not only in its religious background, but also in the family character of spending it. The evening between the two days is a traditional time to bring all family members together, attend church and remember past family members.

The tradition of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day began in the first centuries of Christianity. All Saints’ Day has been designated by Roman Catholic Church, as the day to pray for Saints of the church. All Souls’ Day is a day of prayer for all who have died. Over both days, throughout Poland, cemeteries are visited and flowers and candles are placed on graves. The flower traditionally associated with All Saints’ Day in Poland is chrysanthemum.

During this one of the most important Polish holidays, cemeteries glow with thousands of candles and people pray to All Saints by one of the oldest prayer, Litany of the Saints.

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The Palace on the Island in Warsaw

The Palace on the Island is the most important building in the Royal Baths, known as the most charming park in Europe.

The Palace is one of the finest building in classical style, a pearl of Polish architecture and one of the symbols of Warsaw. It is built on an artificial island, that divides the lake into two parts and is connected to the surrounding park by two colonnaded bridges.

It used to be a private bathhouse for the royalty and it was owned by the last king of Poland, Stanislaw August Poniatowski, who made it into his private residence. The Palace was famous for its Thursday Dinners, which were meetings of artists, intellectuals, architects, politicians and statesmen held by the last King of Poland, Stanislaw August Poniatowski.

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The Palace of Culture & Science

This Warsaw’s most recognizable and famous building is located in the very centre of the city, on a square biggest in Europe.

The skyscraper was constructed as a gift from the Russian people to Poland. The idea of constructing such a building was made by Josef Stalin, and the Palace of Culture and Science was built by over 3.5 thousands workers and soviet engineers. 

The building was originally known as the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science. The name was changed during Poland’s transition to democracy. Stalin’s statutes and communist artwork were also removed during this time.

When it was built, the Palace was the second building in Europe as far as its height. The building is also one of the world’s tallest clock towers. The Palace is home to the biggest in Poland conference hall for 3000 people and its terrace on the 30th floor is a well-known tourists attraction with a panoramic view over the city. 

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Moszna Castle – The Castle of the 99 Towers

Moszna Castle is a historic castle, one of the most magnificent castles in the world.

located in a small village of Moszna, in Southwestern Poland. The castle in Moszna was raised in the mid-17th century, but its present form is a result of the invention of a Prussina magnate from the late 19th century. Even though the castle was originally designed in a Baroque style, one of the castle wing is Neogothic in style and the other is Neo-Renaissance.

The Moszna Castle, is a gigantic dreamlike structure over 8400 square yards and resembles those magical places, that feature in fairy tales and Disney films. The castle structure amazes with its architecture and scale. It has 365 rooms and 99 towers. Part of the rooms were turned into hotel and spa, so you can experience a stay in the castle. The park surrounding, packed with gorgeous azaleas, rhododendrons and oak trees, is one of the oldest establishments in the region of Poland, Silesia.

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Polish Traditional Waffle Cake

Traditional Torcik Wedlowski.

It is a unique wafer cake spread with delicious hazelnut cream and dipped in a thick dark chocolate. Each cake is decorated with a hand-made decoration and cakes are available with special messages for holidays and personal celebrations. Emil Wedel’s signature is used on each produce to distinguish it from others.

As the oldest chocolate brand in the country, Wedel has won people’s hearts and business for generations, since it was first founded in 1851. Its founder, Karol Wedel was a pioneer in the field. The famous chocolate factory is located in Prague district, in Warsaw. E.Wedel is most famous for its Ptasie Mleczko (chocolate-covered marshmallows), Mieszanka Wedlowska (assorted chocolate-covered candy), Torcik Wedlowski and Pawelek (chocolate bar with flavoured filling).

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Zamosc, one of World Heritage Sites in Poland

Zamosc known as ‘a pearl of the Renaissance’, dates back to the 16th century.

It combines Italian and central Europe architectural traditions and its Renaissance character has been preserved until today. It’s cathedral, ranks among the most outstanding accomplishments of late Renaissance architecture. The Renaissance town layout has been maintained and the bastion fortifications surrounded town is a distinctive Renaissance type. The majority of buildings are tenements, which are also an example of Renaissance period.

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Amber – Treasured gift from the sea

Amber is known as the ‘Gem of the Baltic’, and often referred to as ‘Polish Gold’.

It’s the oldest, most precious export product from the Baltic Coast. Amber is a tree resin hardened and weathered for millions of years and washed ashore of the Baltic Sea. 

It’s a mineral of many different names and colours. The colour of amber might vary and depends on the amber nuggets age. It ranges from nearly white, through all shades of yellow and orange, to dark, almost cherry-like red. It’s known under different names such as ‘jantar’, good stone, gold of the north, Baltic gold and electron. 

In the past, amber was associate with a magical power and healing properties, and nowadays is used in the cosmetic industry and folk medicine. 

If you are looking for Polish amber, Gdansk is the city to visit. The seaside city Gdansk is home to the Amber Museum, where you can admire both old and contemporary works of designers. Stadion Energa Gdansk, considered to be most stunning football arena, resembles a piece of amber. 

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