Friday August 20th, Cracow

After such a busy and emotionally draining day yesterday it was great to have a bit of a sleep-in time today. We were out for our walk-about Cracow by 9:30 after a great breakfast in the hotel.
We met with our city guide Barbara who took us first to Wawel Castle – just about 2 blocks down from our hotel, and one block up a hill. She is a really great guide who shared her expertise with us about the tapestries, furnishings and artwork in the castle. We started at the top and worked our way down to the main floor in just about 2 hours. At the beginning we were told no photography, then were informed that they had changed the rules just the day before, so all of us with cameras began busily clicking away, and for some, learning how to turn off their flash as here is still no flash allowed due to the damage done to the artwork by multiple flash bursts.
After departing the castle we went immediately to the Cathedral located on the same hill as the castle. Here we were definitely prohibited from taking photographs, but it was a relatively small and very crowded Cathedral, but beautiful none the less. Here we saw the crypts of several significant church and political individuals from Poland’s history.
From the Cathedral we walked down the hill and along this beautiful street towards the town square. All along the way Barbara explained the significance of the churches, the square and other buildings along the way. One point was the fact that there are some 87 churches in the older area of Cracow¸ and they were often built in the congested areas as they relied on the donations of many people for the sustaining of the church and the monks.
Our next and last stop was the St. Mary’s Basilica, a beautiful church with wonderful carvings and stain glass windows. It was wonderful that Barbara (guide) was able to give us a really great explanation of the art work in the Chancel.
After exiting the church we looked up at the cathedral spire where a trumpeter plays to the four directions every hour. After the brief solo he greeted those watching with a wave of his hand.
After this we were free to wander for the rest of the afternoon, many took in a lunch, then wandered around the market that takes place daily in the square. There was a great range of goods available from various types of food and goodies to beautiful lace, carvings and jewellery.
We met later for dinner at a local restaurant and enjoyed a very good folk show including some participatory dancing.