Kraków - Wawel and Kazimierz

Activity around the town early this morning. The square was populated by a different section of the community - the service suppliers. It is amazing the number of delivery vans resupplying all the restaurants and businesses of the square. It would be impossible later in the day as the number of pedestrians would make this near impossible. 

Still with a spring in her step!

Big plans for the day but we still think we are in our twenties! We did make two out of the three destinations that were planned for. 

After a delicious and filling breakfast we ventured out and made our way to the Royal Castle, the Wawel. This was traditionally the home of the Polish kings, with many being buried here in the Wawel Cathedral. This has become a place of pilgrimage for Polish people which was obvious today. The reverence and devotion being displayed indicated the high level of regard the Wawel Cathedral and the castle has to the people. 

Wawel Cathedral 

The Wawel

Wawel Castle courtyard. 

Still going strong!

From here we took the route south to the Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter. Set up originally as a rival market place to the market in Kraków, this area over the centuries grew as a centre for European Jews, ironically many fleeing persecution in their own county. 

Józefa street, leading to the heart of the Kazimierz. 

Wino along Józefa street. 

Outdoor cafe. 

Traditional art and wood carving. 

Not sure what this is meant to be reflecting?

Interesting galleries. 

Historical Synagogue. 

Today it is a mixture of eclectic shops, bars and restaurants. It is an interesting place to wander around. It also is an area that Spielberg used to film parts of the movie Schindler's List. 

Feeling our age, after many hours on our feet, we decided to miss the Museum of Stained Glass Windows and catch a tram back to our hotel. Here we had a front row seat to the performances happening in the square below. 

Back at the Market Square with the very polite coach drivers touting for business. 

Part of the Square performances. 

Another lost soul!

Nicholas Copernicus is one of the great scientist in history, first suggesting that the earth was not the centre of the universe, and he studied here in Kraków. At a talk in the St Peter's Church some of his theories were outlined.

Pendulum motion and earths rotation. 

Earlier this evening we were entertained by the Festival of StreetTheatre   performance in the Square - from our ringside position! An energetic performance and at times quite dangerous. Not quite sure of the context of it all - the voice over was in Polish! But it was given a great reception from the crowd.