Wroclaw melting pot

of history,  culture and people city which in 2016 will be culture capital of Europe presents visitors with multitude of exiting impressions. This Piast , earliest Polish Kings dynasty , town represents  very rich mosaic of  Polish and European history . Name  Wroclaw ,  being on the cross roads of Amber Route and commercial  roads  , tracks between Eastern  and western  parts of Europe on the northern part of the Carpathian Mountains  , as historical annals say  comes from Bohemian Duke Vratislav I. This town is example of powerful Piast Dynasty .  The  year of  990 when  Duke Mieszko I  of Poland conquered  Silesia  and Wroclaw  was the start  of importance  .  In Wroclaw  soon after  Mieszko I accepted Christianity  , his  son King Boleslaw I  / Great / established here bishopric of Wroclaw . This amazing town is the symbol of Polish presence in this remarkable corner of Poland and dynamic region of Europe.  Wroclaw like the Silesia was  ruled in these early years of 2^nd millennium  by Silesian Piast dynasty . Dynasty which was the foundation of  Polish Kingdom . As an evidence of strong influences of Poland presence in Wroclaw through  centuries one needs to bear in mind fact that in 1475, the first Polish language book , printed and issued  in Poland   was in no other place but exactly  in Wroclaw. This great city and surrounding area through its history  reaches  the very early days of European people movement .  More than  3800 years ago,  male,  one can call traveller in these days  most likely  from Skåne area of today’s Sweden  has  made a journey all the way to  the region of  today’s  Wroclaw . Yes ,  he walked all the way to this great  area  where Wroclaw is situated .  Beside this brave  fellow  some  other very special characters got to Wroclaw too  . They  always accompany the Wroclaw visitors  during their  tours  of Wroclaw .  The  walking tour of  splendid Wroclaw  which  will bring  lots of great surprises  . From time to time in most unbelievable places  on Wroclaw streets ,  lanes ,squares  basically all over  small , smart looking , very  cute  gnomes   appear  on front of the  visitors eyes .  They  provide  special  mood  and  spirit  of adventure and discovery  of Wroclaw  with  degree of charming fairytale flavour . Wroclaw being capital of Lower Silesia (Dolny Slask)  is attractively placed on numerous islands  , joined by chain of  more than 100 bridges across Odra  river. On the river  ,between these islands  small vessels provide attractive options of reaching many special  places in Wroclaw  and opportunity to view  the town from different angle  .  From the boat one can see Ostrów Tumski -“Cathedral Island”  with the steep towers of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral .  Also  “ Piasek “  , Mlynska “ , “Slodowa” Islands  are in area of boat trips to  present  the ideas to the visitors on the history and development of the town .  “ Piasek “ – sand so important in building the town , Mlyn”  water mill, “ Slod”- ingredient to brew the beer are names of some of these islands  where  true commercial activities  took place .  Central point of Main Market Square  provides truly colourful tapestry of interesting architectural styles . Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings  house  great restaurants , shops with souvenirs , museums , wine bars  for tourists joy . Here  on the cobble stones of the “ Rynek “  – Market  Square one  senses the  riches of the  German, Bohemian , Austrian  and Polish history  and culture .  On the Square  very attractively one can come across memorial of Aleksander Fredro famous Polish author and poet  .On the  Square many other  surprises await .Here  at   “ Piwnica Swidnicka “  situated  in  the Town Hall  building and  claimed  to be Europe oldest Restaurant  , dating back to 1273 which provided  culinary specialities to Frederyk Chopin, Julius Slovak and Johann Goethe,  contemporary Polish cuisine specialities await . The multi cultural and multi  denomination  history of Wroclaw is clearly visible in many corners of town  . Especially in the area of “Quarter of Four Denominations ” one  feels the  spirit of “ melting pot “ mood of this town . Here  through hundred years of the Wroclaw history many people of central Europe  conducted their businesses , interacted  with each other  in spirit  of  respect of  variety of  world views , cultures  and religions  citizens of the town represented.     Beside the Market Square , Plac Solny  “ Salt Market “ is placed .  This square  placed as the auxiliary square in trading and business  during  old days  presents attractive style of buildings  . Salt,  such a important  commodity and merchandise , nearly like  the legal tender   gave the name for the square  and also was place where later the Stock Exchange was placed . The Old Stock Exchange  building charmingly  stimulates  visitors  minds about the riches and  money which were once upon the time traded on the floors of this  lovely edifice  .   In Wroclaw  The Laboratory Theatre ,  Jerzy  Grotowski  experimental , world renown theatre  presented to the world new  concepts of theatrical expression .  Wroclaw Opera and ballet theatre are of world class . Museums , Galleries  await the  guests to this truly attractive town . In Wroclaw  mighty  , cycloramic painting  of  “ Panorama Raclawicka “  illustrating the  Battle of Raclawice, during the Kosciuszko Uprising  mesmerizes   viewers with its size , colours, dynamics  and historical theme  where Hero of Poland and USA  Tadeusz Kosciuszko ,  leads troops  into the battle against Russian  Tsarist forces . Wroclaw with its  exceptional  quality as the town , cultural centre  is a true must  to visit . Beautiful railway  station of Wroclaw can be reached  by  comfortable train services   from all major towns  in Poland and  neighbouring Germany and Czech Republic. LOT Polish Airlines provides with its partners  like Singapore Airlines air services to Wroclaw from Warsaw and other world destinations .     VISIT WROCLAW  – should be in travel plans  for all who desire to experience top value destination .

WMIG June 2014 More information  on Wroclaw:

• http://www.poland.travel/en-us/news/wroclaw-european-capital-of-culture-2016
• http://www.wroclaw.pl/en
• http://www.mazurkas.com.pl/incoming-bureau/  for tours in Poland

the  royal town of mighty polish dynasty allows one to travel and be charmed by hundred years  of Poland’s history  . Enjoy the mood of bygone era of art , architecture and overall welcome mood of this great town .  Walking through Barbican towards the Main Square  passing the shops , bars restaurants on Florianska Street  is very  special  experience . Atmosphere especially when the magic sound of “ Hejnal “ from Mariacki Church truly takes one into the past of Poland  and Europe .

 Here in Krakow under the Kazimir the Great  Krakow started to shape itself into majestic  town . Despite the attacks of Tartars , Mongols   when population of Krakow was decimated ,Krakow has recovered .   Being on the commercial route of Europe , Krakow  presented opportunity to settle and develop  business  ,  commerce   as many dealers and operators found  .  Krakow  and Poland from early days of its history resembled  Multicultural country . Here  the “ Magdeburg rights “ were granted to Jewish people  allowing them to flourish . Great evidence of rich past of Jewish people is present  in  “ Kazimierz” section of Krakow . Here  Klezmer music  resounding from  Isaac Synagogue where often concerts of this great  music take place , enriches the Jewish atmosphere of this part of town .  German   and  Flemish artists  came to Krakow to pursue their art  often to create the works commissioned by Polish Kings . Many came  to  Krakow  to enjoy freedoms of expression , exercise  true ability to create  some  extraordinary  artistic  treasures . Works of Wit Stwosz  best represented by the wooden altar of St. Marys Church  , rich  tapestries by Michael van Coxcie, “the Flemish Raphael” or by Willem Tons  represent  some of finest example of art  of the XV- XVI centuries  era .  

 Here King Jagiello ruling from Wawel castle which was seat of Polish Kings from XI century , united  Poland with Lithuania .This unity  laid down basis to the concept  of  concord  of  people of Europe  and made Poland one  of strongest  European nation of these days  . Reaching  lands  from  north  by the Baltic  Sea  and to the south  Black sea shores .   

Florianska Street  with its name reflects the St. Florian Patron  of Firelighters  reminds of the 1241 sacking of Krakow by Mongols  , represents  mighty days of Poland . Despite the warning of “ Hejnal” the melody concept  , coming from Hungarian word “ Dawn “  and alarm  played by trumpeter  , to warn  citizen about approaching  danger  of Tartar troops ,which briefly stopped by the  closed gates of town , Krakow was devastated , the city has recovered .  Today “ Hejnal  Mariacki “  being the polish five – note tune  is only expression of tradition . Welcome sound  played every hour on hour  to the joy and pleasure .  “ Krakowiacy “ – citizens of Krakow and visitors alike  love this manifestation of Polish culture . By Barbican  , the only element of old fortifications of Krakow which later were transformed into “ green belt “ of “ Planty “ ,  so welcome part of Krakow  gladly used for walks , promenades and lovers to whisper tender words of love to each other while seating on many benches along “ Planty “,  presents  only one  short  step into the Czartoryski Museum . Here beside many treasures of art ,  beautiful face of “Dame with Ermine “  by Leonardo da Vinci charms  the visitors.  It is observed by some art critics that this painting is more exiting as art creation than   famous “ Mona Lisa “ . On Florianska Street one sees classical concepts of “ Kamienice “  buildings  where many important institutions are housed . Jan Matejko Museum ,  the outstanding polish painter  collection of works  or “Jama Michalikowa  caffe “   with mood of  the “  secession era “ and many more  important places await visitors.  

From this great street one gets into the magic of  Main Square of Krakow . The  jewels of St. Marys Basilica , “ Sukiennince “ Cloth Hall ,  St. Wojciech  Church or  important art places like “  Piwnica pod Baranami “ the  “ Cellar under the Rams “   all to enjoy .   In this beautiful square  polish culinary specialities  can be enjoyed   , just like  during  hundreds of years of Krakow history .  Here  visitors can  savour  dishes of  extraordinary  recipes  and dine in truly royal atmosphere of the interiors  of many world renown restaurants .   “ Pod  Wierzynkiem   “ Restaurant  found  already  in  XIV century , in 1364  held the famous  culinary treat . Here   King of Romans  of  Holy Roman Empire  Charles  IV Luxemburg  met together  with  Casimir  III Great  King of Poland  to  dine  together  with other nobles of Poland and  Europe , being part of “ Krakow Congress”  . This event is colourfully presented by medieval French poet  Guillaume de Machaut . While on walk around the  Main Square  the   majestic structure of  Adam Mickiewicz memorial can not be missed.  This polish poet whose famous “ Dziady “ dramatic poem inspired Poles to keep the spirit of nationhood alive  was  carried in variety of artistic forms created by  Stanislaw Wyspianski .   His works are visible and sensed  all over the town . Paintings  in museums , “ stained glass “ in Churches  or plays staged in Krakow Theatres .  From Main Square , full of life , where youth enjoys the merry  atmosphere , kids feed pigeons , flower women sale bunches of poppies ,  sunflower s or other colourful flowers of polish meadows and gardens many ways  and basically all  are leading to  Wawel  . This mighty Castle , symbol of thousand years of Poland  . This castle stands  proudly  on the rocky elevation since XI century .  One of ways can be via Grodzka Street  where Peter and Paul  Church  invites to enter for a pray or via Jagielonska  Street by Collegium Maius  , meaning in Latin  “Great College”  which  is  oldest part of Jagellonian University  and was established in XIV century .

From here by is just short stroll to Kanoniczna Street , This charming  street very  close to  many hearts of  people of Krakow . Here  Karol Wojtyla  later  Holy Father John Paul II stayed . During  one of the visits  to Krakow  he talked  to hundreds of people . Just from the window , while  getting ready to night sleep  he was called  to appear to huge crowd ,  singing  for him .  Typical polish songs with special treat  for John Paul II  of singing  his favoured  song “ Barka “ .  From  Kanoniczna Street there is short walk to Wawel  . It is a truly  walk  into  rich history of Poland . Into  fascinating past of Poland . Into its legends  like  one about  Smocza Jama (Polish for “dragon’s den”)  where in   limestone cave   supposedly nasty dragon domiciles .  Wawel despite drama of Poland during WWII , like Krakow was spared the destruction , which Warsaw has suffered .   Visit to Krakow is the trip into by gone eras . From  this great city one can also visit Auschwitz –  Concentration and Extermination  camp , place of horror ,  designed, operated  by  Nazi Germany of under Hitler’s 3rd Reich .   There are also, easily reachable  places like Wieliczka – Salt Mines , Ojcow –part of “ Eagle Nests Route “  or Zakopane  in Polish High Tara Mountains .

Krakow  being in the southern part of Poland   can be reached by trains from Vienna , Prague and Warsaw   or  by plane also from these cities  and from Warsaw  on board of LOT Polish Airlines, national carrier of Poland which together with its partners  in “ Star Alliance “ like Singapore Airlines  provide services from many parts of our Globe.

WMIG July 2014

Website sites to check :

-http://www.poland.travel/en/krakow/  – Polish Tourism website where Krakow is featured,

– http://www.lot.com/pl/en/  – LOT Polish Airlines

-http://www.singaporeair.com/SAA-flow.form?execution=e2s1  – Singapore Airlines

-http://www.mazurkas.com.pl/  – sightseeing in Krakow and also tours in  surrounding areas and Poland

-http://www.mazurkas.com.pl/ – tours in Poland

-http://worldyouthday.com/- World Youth Day 2016