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Entries to Krakow
blog of 2011.
Museums & the
Festive Season
/2011-12-20/ All Krakow museums
close for December 25th and January 1st with the notable
exception of the Aquarium and Nature Museum at 9 Sw.
Sebastiana street. But some of the city’s top museums,
namely all branches of the National
Museum in Krakow and the History Museum keep shortened
hours on December 24th. And three popular places –
Wawel Royal Castle, Schindler’s
Factory, and Rynek Underground – stay opened on December
26th.
Kasia
Europe’s Knockout Football in Krakow
/2011-12-17/ Krakow’s Wisla football team
has advanced to the Europa League’s last 32. Its first match of the
knockout stage will take place in Krakow on February 16th, 2012 when
Wisla will host Belgium’s Standard Liege on its soccer stadium at
Reymonta street. A rematch is scheduled for February 23rd. If
successful Wisla Krakow is to play either Hannover or Brugge in the
last sixteen.
Mark
JP
II’s Blood in the Salt Mine
/2011-12-07/ A phial with the blood of Pope John Paul II has been
permanently placed in the altar at the
Wieliczka Salt Mine’s underground chapel of St. Kinga. That
stunning church carved in salt rock possesses also relics of its
patron saint.
Kasia
New
Year on the Cheap
/2011-11-26/ Famed New Year’s open-air free party on Krakow’s Rynek
Glowny central square will have to make do with canned music instead
of live pop this year. City hall have jumped the cutbacks bandwagon
rolling through Europe and trimmed the event from a
two-million-zloty extravaganza down to a 150,000-zloties fill-in. At
11:45 p.m. on December 31, 2011 the central plaza will be
reverberating with dance sets for a quarter of an hour, followed by
a ten-minute firework display at midnight. Otherwise merrymakers are
left to their own devices.
Mark
I
have to write a complaint.. unfortunately..
/2011-11-22/ On 18th of November 2011 I have been to Museum in
Oskar Schindler’s Factory at ul. Lipowa 4. I would like to say
that the exposition is one of the best expositions that I have ever
visited. I definitely have to recommend visiting, BUT..
We have started the exposition at around 13:00, we have checked the
time of closing, on the wall of entrance was written 18:00 (later we
got to know from one worker that it was till 16:00). So we were
going through the incredible rooms and corridors and suddenly it was
15:50 when one woman from the staff started to be really rude with
us and saying that they are closing (I am not exaggerating using the
expression "rude"). She was pushing us out in a really really rude
way! So the last rooms we could not see. In the end of exposition
there were two other couples - Japanese and Australian. All of them
were shocked with such a behaviour! The woman (she could be 38,
rather short brown hair) was so much impolite and rude kicking us
out that I have decided - for the first time in my life - to write
about it. I am doing that for the sake of the future visitors -
please, that woman should NOT be in contact with the tourists /
visitors. She is destroying the work of others - I am sure the
designers, architects of the exposition would not be happy to know
that the impression which they tend to make (and they really did) is
gonna be destroyed by a rude and impolite worker! PLEASE, DO
SOMETHING ABOUT THAT!!!! IT IS NECESSARY! THANK YOU!
Eva
Petlakova
Xmas Fair
/2011-11-20/ Christmas market starts on
Krakow’s Rynek Glowny central square on Friday, November 25 to last
through the Christmastide. Expect as usual rows of stalls selling
Christmas decorations, a diverse range of gifts, varied handicrafts,
sweets and foodstuffs, and other Christmassy goodies. The organizers
promise also other attractions such as live performances of folk
artists and children’s bands, craftsmen demonstrating their skills,
etc.
Janine
Euro 2012 Update
/2011-11-12/ The England squad has announced details of its stay in
Krakow during the Euro 2012, Europe’s football championships next
summer. Since the city’s best training facilities have been taken up
by rival teams headquartered in Krakow, Fabio Capello's side will
use a second-rate stadium of the Hutnik club. The England squad will
live in a fancy five-star Stary Hotel at the very heart of the
bustling Old Town historical center
saturated with nightspots of all sorts.
That is to say players, because their wives and girlfriends will be
lodged in other hotels in Krakow.
Mark
“Not Good Enough”??? Revisited & Revised
/2011-11-10/ "Not Good Enough" must have been walking around
blindfolded. I have never had better, more reasonably priced food
that when I stayed in Krakow. Ask the locals. Fancy looking up a
guide, just ask. Most Poles speak several languages and are
delightfully helpful when you show an interest in their country.
Krakow and district is one of the most beautiful, hospitable
places in Europe. Almost as good as Australia. :)
Elizabeth from Sydney
All
Saints Feast
/2011-11-02/ Was to a Krakow cemetery yesterday, All Saints. Wow!
Those crowds, chants, prayers, fresh flowers, and millions of
flickering candles. Spectacular!
Annabel
Euro 2012:
Krakow Connection
/2011-10-19/ The Dutch has been the first soccer team to announce
Krakow as their base for Euro 2012, Europe’s football championships
co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. The Dutchmen will live in Radisson
Blu hotel and practice on the sports grounds of
Wisla club. The English and the French squads are to follow suit
and also set up their headquarters in Krakow. Yet otherwise the city
will stay soccer-free as matches are scheduled to take place
elsewhere.
Mark
Eye
Turner
/2011-10-14/ A show of paintings by J.M.W. Turner, the 19th-century
famous English landscapist, has opened in the main hall of the
National Museum in Krakow at 1, 3 Maja street. The exhibition ‘Turner
And the Elements’ consists of 84 watercolors and oils and will
last till January 8, 2012, by courtesy of the British and American
collections which have leased the works.
Kasia
Bike to Rail
/2011-09-22/ Cyclists may now leave their
bikes at Krakow Glowny rail station (i.e. the central one) when
they board a train. A bicycle rack installed on one of platforms
holds twenty two-wheelers.
Mark
Twin Shrines
/2011-09-16/ John Paul II Sanctuary in
Krakow is meant to become the world’s chief shrine to the late
Pope who has been recently beatified as the prelude to his
canonization. Strategically situated within easy walking distance of
the famous Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, the
sprawling complex is still under construction but it already
attracts pilgrims. The focal point for the visitors is an octagonal
chapel, windowless and brightly lit, built around central altar
containing a phial with the precious relic of the blood of
Blessed John Paul II
displayed in a glass case.
Kasia
The
Highlanders Are Coming
/2011-09-08/ About 150 sheep with due contingent of shepherds
descend on downtown Krakow on September 10th. The herd will stay on
the Blonia common till the end of October,
weather permitting, to promote the traditions of animal husbandry of
the Podhale highlands south of Krakow. On weekends shows of milking
and cheese making will take place from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Other
attractions include performances of village bands, presentations of
handicrafts, food tastings, etc. In October representatives of other
Carpathian shepherds from Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, and Czech
Republic are to join their Polish comrades.
Mark
A
Break within a Break
/2011-08-21/ Visiting Krakow midweek we managed to squeeze in a
getaway in Tatry mountains. Our one-day
excursion from Krakow allowed for a long hiking in the national
park and we still had a couple of hours for a stroll through
Zakopane in the afternoon. Perfect outing.
Sophia in Berlin
Czarny Staw (Black Pond), one of
many mountain lakes in the Tatry National Park.
Stars-And-Stripes Music
/2011-08-17/ This year Krakow’s Sacrum Profanum festival of
contemporary music takes place from September 11th to September
17th. The 9th edition of the festival is devoted primarily to the
American contemporary classical music by such composers as Steve
Reich, David Lang, Julia Wolfe, and Michael Gordon. There are
usually two daily concerts, one at 7 p.m.,
another at 10 p.m. Billed artists include well known performers –
Asko/Schonberg Ensemble, Ensemble Modern, KlangForum Wien, Alarm
Will Sound, and Bang on a Can All-Stars among others. The trademark
gimmick of the festival is bringing pop acts of international renown
to perform contemporary classical music and this September the
lineup consists of Adrian Utley of Portishead, Tom Verlaine, Will
Gregory, and Envee due to pay their tributes to Steve Reich.
Kasia
Sunny Goes Rainy
/2011-08-12/ Nice city, good restaurants, friendly people. Only
weather quite fickle. Pretty sunny days abruptly yielded to
torrential rain.
Jens
Good One Hour
/2011-08-06/ Drivers on Krakow’s public
transport sell only hourly tickets for 3.6 zloty (PLN) now. The
ticket is good for all buses and trams within the city limits during
the next sixty minutes after stamping it.
Mark
Not
Good Enough
/2011-07-28/ Lots of eating choices yet it isn’t easy to
find good restaurant in Krakow. Was to one place, recommended in
Michelin they said. Passable food and sluggish, annoying waiters.
Morty
Ideal Hotel Wanted
/2011-07-25/ Looking for a hotel in Krakow.
Should be centrally located at a quiet street. Four star or better,
with big bathrooms. A gym with a swimming pool a major advantage.
Any ideas?
B
Traveler
Watch Krakow’s Jewish Spots on Video
/2011-07-21/ Videos of Jewish sites in
Krakow are available online at
www.krakow-info.com/video-Jewish.htm
Mark
Plane Fun
/2011-07-16/ I was to Aviation Museum in
Krakow. Aficionados of flying machines will enjoy.
Macho Mucio
Old
Music at Historic Sites
/2011-07-10/ Music in Old Cracow festival
takes place as usual from August 15 to August 31 with daily concert
of classical music. Noted ensembles, orchestras, and soloists
usually perform in Krakow’s churches, synagogues, and other historic
buildings.
Kasia
The
Mystorin Theater Group
/2011-06-25/ The Mystorin theatre group from Israel is proud to
present the world premier of our new outdoor performance “Baalei
Shem” (Masters of the Name) Hebrew letters, Hasidic stories, ancient
texts and monumental puppets come to life at Krakow’s Main Square in
a fantasy of visual theatre, traditional singing and dance. Join us
to experience the spiritual Jewish history of Eastern Europe!
Between the 7th and 10th of July, Mystorin theatre group from
Israel, is proud to present the world premier of the new outdoor
performance “Baalei Shem” at the International Street Theatre
Festival “Ulica 24” The performance at Krakow”s Main Square, will
offer a new poetic narrative in which Hebrew letters, Hasidic
stories, traditional singing and Talmud and Midrash texts will be
interwoven using innovative techniques of visual theatre, monumental
puppets, live singing and more. “Baalei Shem” (Masters of the Name)
on 07.07- at 9pm, 09.07 –at 8pm, Main Square, 10.07at 6pm, Square
near the Train Station Through a partnership with the Jewish Museum,
the performance will be combined with discussions with the audience
and creative workshops where texts that inspired the project will be
studied in connection to the spiritual Jewish history of Eastern
Europe. Workshops Saturday 02.07 and on Sunday 03.07 at 11:00- 14:00
Theatre Workshop ""Exploring contemporary sacred theatre through
movement and voice""(Movement theatre with elements of traditional
singing and dance) In this workshop we will explore time and space
through movement theatre using the body and simple objects as we try
to understand how everyday actions become special when they are
performed on stage. Together with the participants of the workshop
actors of Mystorin group will create the final scene in the
performance “Baalie-Shem” .Several participants of the workshop will
be able to take part in our performances during the festival. The
workshop is open to anyone who likes to participate, actors,
students, just people interested in theatre, people can also
participate in the workshop as spectators (like an open rehearsal).
Duration: 3 hours each day. People can come for one day or both
days. Location: SCKM (Staromiejskie Centrum Kultury Mlodziezy ul.
Wietora 13/15) Friday, 08.07at 4:00- 5:30pm “Hasidic tradition as a
way of Jewish sacred theatre” (Mini seminar that will be open to the
general public) Hassidism is one of the most important branches of
the powerful and ancient Jewish mystical tradition. Hasidism
originated in Galicia and flourished in Poland and Eastern Europe
from the 18th century onwards. Hasidism stresses the importance of
holiness in everyday life and actions such as singing and dancing.
In our theatrical work research of movement and voice, we found it
to be an enriching source of inspiration. In this workshop we will
discuss selected Hassidic rites and concepts and will try to
understand them from a theatrical point of view. Location: - the
Galicia Jewish Museum/Zydowskie Museum Galicia. Saturday,
09.07.2011, at 2:00- 4:30 pm “The mysterious dance of the Hebrew
letters” (Mini seminar that will be open to the general public) From
Creation of the World and Jewish mystical tradition to Hasidic
singing and visual art: The Hebrew letters have been a source of
inspiration for many generations. We will share with the audience
some insights into the creative process behind our performance “Baalei
Shem” and ideas from Jewish texts and themes that inspired us.
Similar to the many layers that can be found in Jewish texts, every
image in the performance can be interpreted in many ways, making the
viewer into a collaborator in the interpretation of the performance
narrative. Following the mini seminar we will open the ""stage"" to
hear the ideas and thoughts of the audience and to initiate a
multicultural discussion. The participants can ask the actors and
creators questions and share their own ideas. Duration: - mini
seminar at 2:00-3:30pm discussion 3:40 – 4:30 pm. Location: - the
Galicia Jewish Museum/Zydowskie Museum Galicia.
Mystorin theater
Jewish Festival in Krakow
/2011-06-14/ Don’t forget about this year’s
Festival of Jewish Culture in Krakow, June 24 to July 3. As
usual it’s packed full with concerts, workshops, discussions, and
other events. For everybody, Jewish or not.
Aaron
July Music Festivals
/2011-06-07/ Two notable musical festivals take place in Krakow in
July, namely the ten-day 7th Festival of
Polish Music, July 15th to July 25th (moved from October) and
the 16th Summer Jazz Festivals, July 4th
through July 31st. Both consist of daily concerts and both can boast
a lineup of superb performers.
Kasia
Parking in Kazimerz Area
/2011-05-27/ Krakow’s city council has expanded the central
zone of paid parking to Kazimierz district just south of the Old
Town historic center, an area famed for its vibrant nightlife as
well as former Jewish quarter. The so called Zone C now extends
south as far as the left bank of Wisla river. Unfortunately parking
meters will not materialize in the Kazimierz
district before mid August or later so for the time being motorists
need to purchase ticket forms somewhere and fill in intended parking
time themselves.
Mark
The
Latest Art Museum
/2011-05-22/ Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK) has opened
in a brand-new, concrete-and-glass buildings at 4 Lipowa street.
Yes, it’s the same address as the popular museum of WW2 launched
last year in so-called Schindler’s Factory.
No doubt situation back-to-back with a trendy tourist spot is a
major advantage. MOCAK shows its yet modest collection of recent
art, mostly by Polish artists. At the same time the museum
concentrates on temporary shows. And contemporary in its name means
post-modern with a predilection for video and photography.
Kasia
Local Michelin Stars
/2011-05-12/ Michelin guide scouts apparently haven’t revisited the
city last year so they’ve left untouched the previous list of
Krakow restaurants referred to in the latest ‘Main Cities of
Europe’ 2011 yearly edition. No place added, none removed. Sadly, no
eatery in Krakow has been awarded any Michelin star ever to date.
Currently just five restaurants – namely Copernicus, Cyrano de
Bergerac, Pod Roza, Trzy Rybki, and Wentzl – rejoice in three pairs
of cutlery printed next to their names. The five which can boast two
spoons and two forks each are Ancora, Jarema, Pod Baranem, Szara,
and Szara Kazimierz. Other seven restaurants in Krakow mentioned in
this year’s Michelin guide are C.K. Dezerter, Del Papa, Farina,
Kawaleria, La Campana, Miod i Malina, and Wesele.
Yors
Tastycles
Videos of Krakow
/2011-05-06/ A brand-new web site devoted to
Krakow videos shows online short unadulterated movies of the
city’s various tourist sights and other places of interest.
Kasia
Train Station’s Conundrum
/2011-04-23/ Overhaul of Krakow’s central rail station, now under
way, brings chaos to train services as some long-distance trains are
being redirected to the city’s another station, Krakow Plaszow, with
passengers left to their own devices to get to the center. Also, a
number of trains leave from Plaszow stead of Krakow Glowny main
station. Besides, even if your train still departs from the central
station, finding the right platform and reaching it on time is often
quite challenging.
Mark
Krakow & Zakopane Pics
/2011-04-15/ I visited Krakow and Zakopane
in January. I had a lovely time there. I will visit again this
summer to enjoy the summer weather there. I am a amateur
photographer. Posted some pictures from my trip into my site and in
facebook page. Feel free leave comment. Regards
Dhruba
Tainted
/2011-04-14/ Nice city Krakow. Except dirty train and bus stations.
Hi
Joe
Travel from Prague to Krakow
/2011-04-02/ Hello everybody !! i need your help, Krakow visitors.
Firstly, I have a plan to go Czech Republic on 6th of April and then
I will pass to Krakow from there but how can I go to Krakow? Are
Buses better than trains as price I don't know so could you help me
immediately?
PATROCKK
Krakow Legends for Sale
/2011-03-29/ Colorful, shiny, and fabulous
Krakow szopka nativity scenes are glaring symbols of the city.
Every December their makers bring them on the central square for a
yearly contest which is one of the highlights of the festive season.
Best entries go on show in the City of Krakow History Museum at 35
Rynek Glowny central square. Afterwards, some of them are
permanently included in the museum’s collection. And some are put up
for sale at the museum shop, prices ranging from 300 zloties upwards
rather steeply.
Kasia
Planning Krakow
/2011-03-26/ Evening, I am at the stage of planning a few days in
Krakow but must go from there to Brussells, any suggestion
reasonable time and cost. 2 older adults- well travelled-budget
hotels/hostel stayers. Any suggestion much appreciated.
Hennessy's Mum
Lost
/2011-03-20/ My pocketbook is gone with my money: plastic and Polish
bills. The wrong place at the wrong time for me and the right place
at the right time for the Krakow pickpocket I guess. Must happened
in the shopping mall near the Jewish district.
BJ
Blessed John Paul
/2011-03-10/ Krakow eagerly anticipates the beatification of its
most famous son, Pope John Paul II, on May 1st. Thousands plan a
journey to Rome to celebrate the event on St. Peter’s Square. But
most will rejoice in Krakow churches, notably in the
Sanctuary of Divine Mercy where Poland’s main ceremonies are to
take place. Huge crowds are expected to arrive from all over the
country for the occasion.
Kasia
Krakow's Lagiewniki's Basilica of
Divine Mercy.
Hostel Expertise
/2011-03-07/ Visited the city four times over the past two years.
Hostels in Krakow are usually better than other European places.
Far better also than the norm in the US.
Frequent Backpacker
Ten-day Easter Market in Krakow
/2011-03-02/ This year’s Easter market
opens on April 15th to last through April 25th. It take’s place on
the Old Town’s central square, Rynek Glowny (sometimes called
incorrectly a Market Square).
Kasia
Holy Week’s Music
/2011-02-18/ Heard this year’s Easter
Misteria Paschalia festival of Krakow is sold out. Is it true?
And if so, are there possibly other classical
concerts in the Holy Week?
Joachim, Germany
Bad
Guidance
/2011-02-06/ It’s difficult to buy reliable and up-to-date
guides to Krakow abroad. Since the city has become a popular
tourist destination various foreign publishers rush to turn out
Krakow guidebooks. Unfortunately they often employ foreign
authors with only fleeting acquaintance with the place. For many of
them Wikipedia is evidently the main – if not the single – source of
information about Krakow. As a result, most of those self-proclaimed
Krakow guides prove grossly misguided. I have just put myself
through a review of guidebooks to Krakow available via the Kindle
Store. All produced by foreign publishers, they are dubious at best
and sometimes patently incorrect.
Mark
Entertainments Galore
/2011-02-03/ Surprised to find how many events
in Krakow
happen every day. Ten or more different concerts of varied music on
one night looks like the norm.
Joan
Price Rises
/2011-01-18/ Local minibus operators have raised their fares due to
an increase in the price of fuel and higher expenses generally. And
thus a one-way ticket from Krakow to Wieliczka,
a destination most popular with tourists, costs now two zloties on
most lines – an equivalent of 0.5 euro or so.
Mark
Dinner’s Query
/2011-01-06/ Looking up good restaurants in
Krakow. Any ideas?
Me
Lady in Hiding
/2011-01-04/ It looks like Krakow’s most famous piece of art,
Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Lady with an Ermine’, won’t be displayed in
its home city for another year. Its domicile in the
Czartoryski Museum under sweeping modernization, the famous
Renaissance masterpiece has been out of sight for months deposited
in the Bishop Ciolek Museum. Now it’s due for an exhibition in
London’s National Gallery opening this autumn.
Kasia
'Lady with an Ermine' by Leonardo da Vinci in Krakow's Czartoryskich
Museum
Hotel Value
/2011-01-03/ Stayed in a hotel in Krakow at the
central square opposite St. Mary’s church. Luxury in style, worth the
money.
Joey
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