Breakfast at the Park Inn Radison was typical European with a selection of meats, cheeses, pastries, bacon and some scrambled egg.
We met our local guide, Yanini, and we set off to the Jewish Quarter of the city. This is a bit of a misnomer since the number of Jewish people in Krakow is really very small. Yanini was an informative guide and related the history of the Jewish settling, occupation, and deportation of them. Our first stop was the oldest synagogue in Krakow.
From there we walked up the street to see Helena Rubenstein's birth home and an active synagogue, that is home to worshipping Jews today.
From there we drove to the area of the Krakow ghetto where the remnants of one of the walls stands. The ghetto is where the movie Schindler's List was set. We got just a glimpse of Schindler's factory, but no picture because we weren't allowed to stop.
One of the most impressive areas was the Krakow Ghetto Memorial that is a square that has a chair that represents 1000 Jews that were killed. There are 33 chairs. It was here that Hans Frank carried out the execution of the 33,000 Jewish people. Is this where Oklahoma City got its idea?
From there we walked up Wawel Royal Castle hill. At this castle all the kings of Poland were crowned, lived, and are buried. We didn't get to tour the castle since it is so huge, but got a good taste of the life at castle.
From the castle we walked down to the Old Town, past the place where Pope John Paul II lived for a time, and one of the 25 churches in the area.
In the square we arrived in time to hear the trumpeter of Krakow. This is a continuation of one of the most important legends in the history of Krakow. When the medieval trumpeter was warning of an attack by the Tartars, the young boy in the tower of St. Mary's Church was giving a warning. However, he was shot by an arrow, was killed, and never finished his tune. To this day a trumpet sounds on the hour. You can barely see the trumpeter in the tower. The history has been immortalized in The Trumpeter of Krakow, a Newbery Medal book, by Eric Kelly.
A lunch and a beer before some shopping.
Headed back to the hotel for a brief respite before leaving for the Wuekczka Salt Mines, a UNESCO Heritage site. The mine is over 7 centuries old and features about 400 steps and 1.8 miles of walking through tunnels. The carvings in salt are amazing and the Kinga Chapel is breathtaking with everything made or carved of salt.
Dinner was across the street and was a delicious meal of mushroom soup in a bread bowl, salad, pork or pierogies, and ice cream and fruit for dessert. To top the meal off, a shot of bison vodka. Back to the hotel around 9 and to catch up on the blog.
Early morning departure tomorrow.
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