LET'S EXPLORE POLAND

Copyright 1997 by the AngloPol Corporation

This series will take us through the cities, towns, villages and countryside of Poland, 
as well as give us insights into the rich history and culture of the nation.

Part 18

TRIPS FROM KRAKOW

In the vicinity of Krakow there are also several other interesting places to visit.

Niepolomice

The town of Niepolomice (20 km. from Krakow) is located at the edge of Niepolomice Forest, which was the place of residence of the royal court during great hunts. Preserved here are the royal palace with a courtyard modelled on the one at Wawel, as well as a Gothic church from the 14th century.

Dobczyce

At a distance of 28 km. from Krakow is Dobczyce, a town on the Raba river, with the colorfully situated ruins of a 14th century castle. In the preserved tower is a regional museum with archaeological, historical and ethnographic collections. Nearby is a Skansen (outdoor) museum of folk architecture is being constructed.

Myslenice

Also on the Raba, about 30 km. from Krakow, is the popular recreation center of Myslenice, with recreation and sports areas around a lagoon. Worth seeing are a 15th century church, several antique buildings (among others, the Greek House), and a former merchants' inn that now houses a regional museum with historical and ethnographic collections. Also of interest is the Flour-Milling Museum.

The small town of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (about 36 km. from Krakow) has been a religious center and pilgrimage site since the 17th century. A Bernardine monastery complex in the mannerist style was built here in 1603-1609. Spreading out on the colorful hill slopes are more than 40 small churches and chapels, which make up the Way of the Cross. Twice a year, before Easter and in July, colorful religious festivities are held here.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is also a well-known furniture-making center.

Located 50 km. from Krakow, Wadowice is in the valley of the Skawa river at the foot of the Little Beskids. John Paul II, the first Polish Pope, was born and spent his youth here. In the market place there is an antique church, whose oldest part dates back to the 15th century. Nearby is the Pope's home (now a museum devoted to his life and works) and the secondary school that he attended.

About 70 km. from Krakow, Oswiecim is a center of the chemical and machine industry. Since World War II, the name of the town has become a symbol all over the world of the martyrdom of the victims of Nazism. The largest concentration camp, Oswiecim-Brzezinka [Auschwitz-Birkenau] was built here in 1940. At that site more than 4,000,000 prisons of 28 nationalities lost their lives, among them Polish social and political activists, Soviet prisoners and Jews, who were brought here from all over Europe.

At the beginning of 1944, in order to cover up the traces of their crimes, the Germans blew up the crematoria and part of the camp buildings. The camp area has been designated as a Monument to the Martyrdom of the Polish and Other Nations.

Since 1947 there is a National Museum of Martyrology here. An impressive Monument to the Victims of Oswiecim has been built on the grounds of the camp in Brzezinka [Birkenau].