Eastern Poland - Sandomierz & Lublin

Delighted by the village of Sandomierz.

Often pictured as being less developed economically and culturally compared to the western part of Poland, eastern Poland appears to be fighting this trend. Today has been another revelation - the villages, the farmlands, and the roads have all been the equal if not superior to other parts we have traveled through.

The land use has changed, no longer the cerial crops dominating the landscape, now we have mixed fruit and vegetable cropping - in abundance!

Orchards of all descriptions!

And crops - cabbage, tomatoes, etc. 

And the cucumbers in hot houses all along the way. These would be going to the pickling factor for the famous Polish gerkins.

We called into the town of Sandomierz and were pleasantly surprised - again! - by the picture it presented. A special market was being held in the Stare Miasto (Old Town) and it was very popular with visitors - not another English voice heard. 

Market in Sandomierz.

Very popular with the locals and others. Tourist buses were lined up in the car parks. 

Even a changing of the guards ceremony!

"I'm an Aussie, let me out of here!"

All in all, a very pictureque village. 

 After lunch we made our way to Lublin - a town of 360,000 people. Here a festival of music was being conducted in the grounds of the castle. Again, many Poles were out and about indicating again that there is plenty of disposable income in the pockets to enjoy the extras in life. 

Town Square in Lublin. 

The very ornate Cathedral. 

Lublin Castle. 

The Donjon inside the Castle. This tower is one of the oldest structures in Lublin. 

A small colourful street stall. 

Interesting buildings ....

.... with interesting decorations!

The Old Town has plenty to offer with the cafes and bars surrounding the square where there is still evidence of a bygone era - and not all restored to the condition of other high profile Polish towns.  But nevertheless, a very pleasant place to spend a Sunday afternoon. 

Visiting Lublin you can't help but think of the number of Jews that were sent to the death camp, Majbanek, a few kilometres from the centre of the city, while others were sent to the Bełzec camp - 26,000 in all. We had had enough of death camps but it is very important that it is remembered. 

Late in the day we drove a few kilometres to our overnight in the village of Jakubowice. 

A public campaign of interest.

And some interesting sculptures. 

The famous gates to the old town.