środa, 25 czerwca 2014

Paths of John Paul II

Today is gonna to be a beautiful day, isn't it? I am going to Wadowice tomorrow. It will be a very emotion trip because of my emotional engagement in the faith.

John Paul II (rightly Karol Wojtyła) was born in Wadowice in 1920. For most of his life he was called Lolek by friends and family. Karol usually played football, furthermore he was well-built, tallented, tall boy.
At the beginning of his life, he was struggled with many problems like a mother's death when he was 9, and brother's death three years later. During his education in Gymnasium, in Wojtyła's heart was born a passion to the art, especially to acting in performances organized at school in hometown. He graduated from school with a very good marks, which allowed in that time to get to almost every univesity without passing any exams. Unfortunately, his education at Jagiellonian University in Krakow has disturbed by second world war. Wojtyła's father has gone during war. Despite of the fact that he was alone, he didn't really feal loneliness thanks to his friends. He couldn't continue studying, so he found Teatr Rapsodyczny, together with friends. Suddenly, he has dropped everything and joined the Metropolitan Seminary in Krakow, which theology studies weren't popular in that time. Life showed how much talented man he was when he lived.
In 1978, He was elected as the Pope in Vatican as the youngest one amount their formers. He used to travel a lot, in which he has met mostly injured, discriminated, poor people, but everyone could see him. His speeches were always very touchy and he was capable to unite people different races and another faith.

Although, Karol Wojtyła became the Pope and lived in Vatican, his heart was always beating for Poland.
In Krakow there are numerous places where he stayed and lived, places, where he will be remembered as a student of polish philology, worker, actor, poet, seminarian, young priest, teacher of life and finally - as head of the Catholic Church. Route running through these places called "paths of John Paul II."
Like he said "in Wadowice all it began", but Krakow was a city with which Wojtyła was connected in a special way.

Most popular places connected with John Paul II
1. Bishops' Palace (Franciszkańska 3 Street)
2. St. Peter's Basilica. Francis of Assisi OO. Franciscan (Franciszkańska 2 Street)
3. Seminary of the Archdiocese of Krakow (Podzamcze 8 Street)
4. Dziekańska Tenement (Kanonicza 21 Street)
5. Cathedral Church of St. Stanislaus and Wenceslas at Wawel
6. Church of St Michael the Archangel and St Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr (Skałka) (Skałeczna 15 Street)
7. House of John Tyranowski (Różana 11 Street)
8. Church of Stanislaus Kostka XX. Salesians in Dębniki (Konfederacka 6 Street)
9. House Szwecka 12 Street
10. Home Tyniecka 10 Street
11 The papal stone on Błonia
12. Monument to John Paul II in Jordan's Park (entrance from 3 Maja Street)
13. Jagiellonian University Collegium Novum (Gołębia 24 Street)
14. St. Mary's Church (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) (Market Square)
15. St. Florian's Basilica  (Warszawska 1 Street)
16. Monument to John Paul II in Strzelecki Park (Lubicz Street)
17. Tomb of the parents of Pope John Paul II Cemetery Rakowice
18. The John Paul II Hospital (Prądnicka 80 Street)
19. Church of St. Jadwiga (Łokietka 60 Street)
20. Church of Our Lady the Queen of Poland Ark of our Lord in Bieńczyce (Obrońców Krzyża 1 Street)
21. St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe Churchin Mistrzejowice (Osiedle Tysiąclecia 86 Street)
22. Zakrzowek Quarry (chapel at the crossroads: Ruczaj-Pychowicka and Kamieniarska-Wyłom)
23. Former Soda Factory "Solvay" (the building at Zakopiańska 62 Street, now - Centre for Contemporary Art "Solvay")
24. Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki (Siostry Faustyny 3-9 Street)
25. John Paul II International Airport (Krakow - Balice)

czwartek, 5 czerwca 2014

Welcome to Podgórze District

Podgórze District used to be a seperate part of Krakow, but currently it is one of the thriving city district. Over the years, Podgórze has been an industrial facilities for Krakow, which eventually was connected in 1915. In this part of city was created a big ghetto by Nazis for Jews have been living in Krakow during World War II.


What do you need to see in Podgórze?

1. Ghetto Heroes Square (formerly named the Agreement Square).

Ghetto was founded by Otton Wachter, who was a main initiator of this project in 1941. Every non-Jewish person was moved from that area to another. During the first selection in 1942 died at least 111 Jews. Later in 1943, the ghetto was liquidated. On that time Nazis did the last selection on the square.

2. "Pharmacy under the Eagle"

"Pharmacy under the Eagle" was the only chemist's in the ghetto during the Nazis occupation in Krakow. Owner of the chemist's was a Pole who used to live into ghetto from the beginning to the end of its exsistence.  Further, the pharmacy was a conspiratorial place, which helped Jews  living inside the ghetto.
Nowadays, this place is a branch of the Historical Museum of Krakow.

3. Schindler's Factory, Lipowa 4 Street

Opening Hours:
November - March
on Mondays 10 am - 2 pm, Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 6 pm

April - September
on Mondays 10 am - 4 pm, Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 10pm

The museum is situated in the administrative building of the former Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory. Fate of rescued Jews are illustrated in Spielberg's film called Schindler's List. 

4. St Joseph Church

The church has  built over the main square on the rock podium of the former quarry. Previously on this land stood the temple built in 1832. Currently remains only a bell tower which is located at the rear of present church.

5. Podgórze Market Square

It is a specific place because of  a triangle shape. Since 1915, Podgórze has been a separate city. Therefore a square was called Podgórze Market Square. The building market is characterized by House under Deer of the 18th century, House of the Dark Eagle of 18th century, Manor of the White Eagle (which was the first town hall).

6. Old Cementery of Podgórze

Regard as the oldest municipal cementery in whole Krakow, founded between 1786 and 1792. The cementery was expanded twice in 1838 and in 1895. After all, the Old Cementery was closed in 1900 where lied the most meritorious people for Podgórze. Unfortunately most of graves have been destroyed forever due to the expansion of Telewizyjna Street and construction of the railway line.

7. Krakus Mound

Krakus Mound is one of the largest in Europe and the largest in Poland. In every Tuesday after Easter, the mound is a place of Rękawska Fair. There is a legend that the mound was made by people with their own hands.

8. Wojciech Bednarski Park

Park is popularly known as a great place of redevelopement of post industrial land. One of the amazing green place in Krakow.

9. Płaszów Concentration Camp

The camp was established in 1942 and abandoned in 1945. Most of prisoners were Jews and Gypsies. Poles were used as a workforce. It is estimated that around 8 000 people were killed there.

10. Torn-Out Hearts Memorial
The monument was erected in 1964 and initiated by Witold Cęckiewicz. It is a memorial of murdered people by Nazis.

środa, 4 czerwca 2014

Top 5 polish restaurants in Krakow

1. Pod Baranem (At Ram's), St. Gertruda 21 Street

They specialize in Polish cuisine with toouches of European cuisine. All the dishes are prepared by them, without using semi-finished. All ingredients are bought from selected suppliers. High quality guaranteed.

2. Pod Złotą Pipą, Floriańska 30 Street

Interior style reminds times of Emperor Franz Joseph who has visited Krakow long time ago. You can sit at the bar or at a table and taste wines, beers and coffees. You are a witness of a great combination of peaceful restaurant and lively pub. During the summer, meals and drinks are served in a green garden often with live music.

3. Galicyjska, Pijarska 9 Street

Galician Restaurant attracts the strongest flavors of venison. For lovers of the Krakow kitchen, chef prepares delicious sop. In this restaurant you can feel like nobility. They also organizes special events including weddings, communions, banquets, business meetings, parties for tourist groups and catering.


4. Pod Aniołami, Grodzka 35 Street

This restaurant is known as a leader of pickled meats, baked in the oven grill. The interior atmosphere brings guests to the times of Royal Medieval Krakow. On the first floor is situated the Burgrabia's Chamber of Wawel Castle where he invited people for sumptuous lunches.

5. Miód Malina, Grodzka 40 Street

Restaurant "Honey Raspberry" was built in the 14th century on the corner of Grodzka Street and Poselska Street. It refers to the colorfull village in the middle of Krakow. The style is sophisticated, but with homey atmosphere which is perceptible from the entrance.