Krakow as a Winter Wonderland

Created April 2006

中文版 (Chinese)

Poland's Krakow had always been on my Top 10 list of "The places I want to visit most but haven't been to." There were just so many missed opportunities in the past few years.

Finally, an accidental trip from Taiwan in the middle of the winter 2005 took me to Central Europe. Finally I had a chance to visit Krakow, the city that Kieslowski's "La Double Vie de Veronique" and Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List" was based.

It was quite cold in the middle of December. The weather is sort of like Chicago's winter (I guess that is why there are so many Polish immigrants in Chicago; they just get more used to the weather!). It was even snowing the 2nd day after I arrived. I didn't make it to some points of interest out of town, such as Auschwitz Concentration Camp or the Salt Mine since cold weather made me not willing to travel too much. But even just walking around inside Krakow was rewarding. They have some nice museums and coffeehouses. I also spent half a day in Wawel Castle, which was free the day I visited. Sometimes you just save a lot of money by visiting at off-season!

Hopefully I can re-visit Krakow again in the summer, maybe in 2006.

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The Barbakan, just outside Krakow's ancient city wall. This Gothic-style fort, built in 1499, is the best preserved of three such defensive fortifications surviving in Europe.

The Barbakan and the Florianska Gate behind it.

Florianska Gate (the old town entrance) and the city wall. This section of city wall actually was the only remnant of the city's medieval wall. Passing the Gate, Florianska Street leads to Rynek Glowny, the Main Square.

Just behind the medieval city wall lie Czartoryskich Museum, s small museum with great collections. The most famous one is Da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine." (Click the link to see what it is like) I don't think Dan Brown integrates this painting in his "Da Vinci Code" storyline (He might have).

A nice small church just across the street from Czartoryskich Museum.

Curvy streets of Krakow's old town. They pretty much all lead to the Main Square, Rynek Glowny.

Krakow street at night. There were beautiful Christmas decorations.

Walking up the steps to the Wawel Castle, the most famous site in Krakow.

The Cathedral of Krakow is right inside the Wawel Castle proper.

A self-portrait in front of the Cathedral. I took this picture myself. Yes, it was cold that day.

Inside the courtyard of Wawel Castle.

A view of Wisla River from the top of Wawel Castle Hill.

View of the old town from inside of the Wawel Palace.