Our Krakow for children tour starts on Wawell Hill where young explorers have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral, go down to the crypts, and climb into the tower to touch the heart of the Sigismund Bell. They can hear some stories about Polish kings, saints (eg. St. Stanislaus), national heroes, and poets who lies within the walls of this unique temple. Renaissance architecture awaits us in the courtyard of the Wawel Royal Castle (imagine all the court stories about the life of this era!). The youngest torists should also visit Dragon’s Den where our guide will present them the legend of the famous Krakow monster.

From the Wawel Hill we can go to the Main Market Square, telling younger children magical fairy tales about Lajkonik, knights enchanted in pigeons, and builders of St. Mary’s Church. Older kids may hear about banquet at Mikolaj Wierzynek’s house or Prussian Homage – important facts from Polish and Krakow history. Walking through the Royal Route we can enjoy the most beautiful sights of Krakow – Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Town Hall Tower, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, and finally St. Florian’s Gate and Barbican. Of course our guide has in store many interesting anecdotes and answers to all of Your questions (even those most surprising). So, we just know how to make a school trip to Krakow was both an educational and unforgettable adventure!

We offer: 

• Guides with a great sense of humor and fantastic contact with children (guide encourages kids to participate actively in exploring)
• Educational value of our tours and a great time during sightseeing (duration: 2-4 hours, depending on the selected option)
• The possibility of booking delicious, nutritious meals in excellent prices

Krakow for children – sample itinerary:

1. Wawel Cathedral – our tour starts with a visit in the one of the most important temples in Poland. Royal coronations and funerals took place in this church. In the middle of it stands the Baroque confession of St. Stanislaus which recalls history of his martyrdom. Krakow bishop Stanislaus was slaughtered by king Boleslaus in 1075. Hagiographic legend says that he admonished the king. Royal tombstones are situated on the both sides of confession, and decorated by high-class sculpture (one of them was made by Veit Stoss). Before descending to the crypts, where Polish kings and poets lies it’s worth to walk among the ambulatory and see private bishops’ chapels. Then you can climb to the top of the tower and see the biggest bell in Poland – Sigismund Bell from the 16^th Each junior and senior explorer will be able to touch its heart and say a wish which will come true!
2. Royal Castle – beautiful arcaded courtyard of Renaissance palace is a perfect place to talk about Polish kings and queens, especially Sigismund I and Bona Sforza – Italian princess who came to Poland from a distant Bari to marry Polish king and become a queen (she was great in her new role!)
3. Dragon’s Den – the legendary dragon’s lair is also a geological curiosity. We can explore the interior of the great cavern hollowed by nature in the Wawel limestone rock, or listen to the stories about prince Krak, his sons, his daughter Wanda, and shoemaker Dratewka. But the main character of the story is the great beast which long time ago persecuted inhabitants of Krakow (finally it tasted sheep stuffed with sulfur and died).
4. Kanonicza and Grodzka Streets – walking towards the Old Town begins in extremely picturesque Kanonicza Street, where cathedral canons lived since Middle Ages (including the famous chronicler Jan Dlugosz). In many houses Gothic and Renaissance details has survived! (eg. In the Palace of Bishop Erazm Ciolek palace). Then we enters the Royal Route which leads us unto Barbican. It’s a historic path of coronation processions, kings’ and princes’ receptions. This way foreign envoys and guests traveled to Wawel (we take an opposite direction). Grodzka Street leads us straight to the Main Market Square (please look at the Romanesque Andrew’s church and beautiful temple of St. Peter and Paul).
5. Main Market Square – in this unusual place, where the ‘heart of Krakow’ beats, we’ll stay for a long time. According to many sources it’s the largest and the biggest medieval square in Europe! Younger children will probably be interested in a story about magical origins of a big flock of pigeons (they’re here till today). They also learn about famous Lajkonik who enters the market square every year. Adults perhaps will want to listen about everyday life in former Krakow and important historical events that took place here.

• The Town Hall tower and the Cloth Hall – we will have also the opportunity to admire two most important buildings of the city and think about they functions in the past centuries. Our guide will explain why only the tower of the Town Hall stands till today. The Cloth Hall is a true precious of the city. Do you want to know how it looked like in the Middle Ages and who changed it in a Renaissance way (this beautiful attics!). Are You interested in what’s inside? No problem for our guides.
• St. Mary’s church – before visiting the basilica You should hear the story about “Yellow shoe” found behind the Altar of Veit Stoss and the other one about two brothers who competed with each other by building two church towers (it explains why they are different heights). It’s reasonable to tell older children a little more about the history of the church and its importance in the life of the city. Inside the temple, it’s obligatory to see the main altar by Veit Stoss, Neo-Gothic frescos, stained-glass windows and Renaissance sculpture which makes a great impression on tourists of all ages!

6. St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican – we and our Krakow for children tour walking down the Florianska Street to the main gate of the city. Admiring the remains of the medieval walls is a real pleasure. We go through the 14th-century St. Florian’s Gate which welcomed Polish kings and foreign distinguished guests. We will see built in the 15^th century, once surrounded by a moat Barbican – one of the symbols of Krakow.

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Weekend tours

We have already spent a lot of space on our website on planning intensive sightseeing during short stays in Krakow. Check out for example our text Krakow in one day or an article dedicated to 3-day stay in the city. You will find there a detailed description of proposed tours over monuments, restaurants, pubs, clubs and many other places worth visiting just one weekend. Here You have just a reminder and quick help for those who have not read previous entries.

Romantic weekend in Krakow

2 or 3-day trip is a chance for two beloved people to spend some magical time in the royal city. Therefore we have some suggestions we would like to share with You. First of all, we believe that this unique occasion requires special atmosphere. Choose some truly romantic place, associated with interests or passions of Your beloved. It may decide whether a weekend in Krakow for two will be successful or not.

1. Take a romantic walk

There are places and sceneries that are particularly conducive to trips for two. Walking through the Old Town or Kazimierz is always a great idea. However, if you are looking for places little more private and equally charming, we offer several unique pathways. You can go by Kazimierz-Podgórze footbridge ‘Bernatka’ (Krakow bridge of lovers where people fasten padlocks with their names as a symbol of an eternal love). There is a beautiful and very picturesque Bednarski Park in Podgorze. This green area is located in a former quarry. Then you can go to the Mound of Krak, an early medieval barrow where two of you will be satisfied by the charming view of the city. Very pleasant will be also a walk through Salwator district full of wonderful old villas and there is a really picturesque Premonstratensians’ Monastery located on Vistula riverbank. Romantic boat trip to the wonderfully situated Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec is also a fantastic idea. If you prefer to stay in the very center, You may want to try such a unique and romantic form of sightseeing like ride by horse-drawn carriage.

2. A thoughtful choice of dining options

During your stay in Krakow, You will probably eat more than one meal so it is wise to choose one evening for a romantic dinner in a unique aura. Old Town and Kazimierz are full of fancy restaurants that offers cuisine from around the world. Be sure to think about the dietary preferences of person accompanying You and book the table before the trip!

3. Your special evening

Dinner is not everything. Cracow has an incredibly wide offer of cultural attractions. To make the weekend in Krakow really unforgettable, You should think about spending one night in one of the famous Krakow theaters, operas, cinemas or concerts, again depending on Your tastes. Have you thought about choosing a restaurant or a pub with live music? Well, it is possible!

Family weekend in Krakow

A trip to the city with your family needs a good preparation. Take sure that Your children will have a really great time, otherwise they will not come back to the most beautiful city in Poland. It is also wise to book some museum tickets in advance and think about meals for whole family. This is not always so easy, so it is worth using the services of a professional guide. In our opinion good family sightseeing should consists of two elements:

1. Sightseeing for children

You must think about that kind of weekend holidays during which your children will not be bored. Here we can recommend eg. guided tour Krakow legends and traditions. Our guides have extensive experience in showing the city to little explorers and answering their probing questions. Let us also remember that what is less interesting for adults (eg. Dragon’s Den) may be more intriguing for kids and who knows, perhaps parents will be pleasantly surprised?

2. The unique attraction

It is also good to think about attractions which could make a great fun for the whole family. Depending on your interests, You can visit interactive Museum under the Main Market Square or take a trip to the Zoo and Wolski Forest. You know the best what will be an unforgettable experience for You and your little ones!

Weekend in Krakow – a good accomodation is a key issue!

No matter, whether You are going to Krakow with Your beloved person, family or friends it is always worth to take care of accommodation. It will provide You a comfortable, stress-free stay. The ideal solution for each of these three opportunities seems affordable apartments in the city center. Living in the center You save Your time and money You would spend on transportation. We can help you in booking a suitable apartment, and meals, museum tickets etc.

L’article Weekend in Krakow est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.

Where should we start our journey?

It is obvious – from the Main Market Square, one of the largest in Europe! It is a vibrant place, always crowded and filled by musicians, performers and mimes. It delight not only adults, but also the youngest visitors. St. Mary’s Church and the Cloth Hall – two symbols of Krakow are located right here. The Market is surrounded by breathtaking houses and palaces and in the Underground, there is a very unique Museum with a fantastic exhibition dedicated to everyday life in Krakow in the Middle Ages. In the museum historical objects harmonizes with modern technology. You can see here some great reconstructions and authentic everyday objects. The Underground of the Krakow Main Market Square has its popularity all across the Europe (only City of York in England has a similar exhibition). Krakow Old Town is a mess of narrow, picturesque streets with medieval, Renaissance and Baroque houses. Take a walk from Szczepanski Square with its pubs and cafes through Jagiellonska Street running next to the buildings of the oldest Polish university. Then go to the Franciszkanska Street with Bishop Palace and its famous window from which St. John Paul II spoke to the crowds. Later, You can take a walk through Grodzka Street and see the first Baroque church in Poland. After a few minutes, You will find yourself next to the Wawel Hill. Now You can visit Gothic Wawel Cathedral and Royal Castle with Renaissance arcaded courtyard. In addition, another obligatory stop – Dragon’s Den J. It is also a good time to walk along the river to Kazimierz district, located nearby.

Kazimierz district

Kazimierz was once a separate town established in the Middle Ages by king Casimir the Great. Now Kazimierz is a part of Krakow with its own fantastic atmosphere that You simply have to feel in the air! You can see here some beautiful Gothic and Baroque churches as well as 7 synagogues (some part of Kazimierz was inhabited by a Jewish community for centuries). Today Kazimierz is recognizable for many cafes, pubs and clubs which are meeting points both for inhabitants, and tourists. Visit also the famous Plac Nowy (New Square) and so-called “Okrąglak” (humorous Polish term for a circular building) where you can eat … casseroles, the unofficial symbol of Kazimierz. It is worth knowing that Jewish past of Kazimierz is commemorated by every-year Jewish Culture Festival starting here in June.

Podgorze district

Podgorze district where during the Nazi Occupation Jewish Ghetto was established is located on the other side of the Vistula River. The former Oscar Schindler’s ‘Emalia’ Factory with museum exhibition that refers to World War II is located nearby, in Zablocie. Additionally, You can visit the very popular MOCAK (Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow) with its impressive avant-garde collections and projects. This place attracts an increasing number of tourists.

Visiting Krakow – a bit of culture, or a bit of recreation?

Going back to the city center, it is good idea to visit the National Museum with its really impressive collection of world class masterpieces (Polish Paintings Gallery in the Cloth Hall, Bishop’s Erazm Ciołek Palace or Europeum). But when you feel tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, we recommend a very popular Henryk Jordan Park where you can relax in peace or spend time actively eg. riding a bicycle. There is also a huge open green space called Błonia nearby the park. This great meadow and its surroundings are perfect for jogging, roller blading, cycling, or simply picnicking with the closest people admiring a fantastic view of the Old Town or mounds. In hot days, there is a fun in going to Water Park for swimming, sliding and many other attractions that will please not only children but adults as well.

Visiting Krakow, it is good to have a considered itinerary. We can offer You guided tours and our help in but also help in accommodation booking finding.

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While visiting Old Town, many tourists do not know that a fantastic museum is situated under the surface of the Market Square. This is not surprising, because on the ground level it is not visible at all (its area covers c. 4000 m²!). Everything becomes clear after entering the Cloth Hall building and descending few steps down. Although archaeological works lasted for five years, it was definitely worth to wait. The final effect is amazing and visiting this place should be an obligatory point of any trip plan.

1000 years of history in one place

The exhibition Tracing the European identity of Cracow shows several hundred years of Krakow Market Square. From the very beginning, you can feel just like in the heart of the medieval city. Such an atmosphere is provided not only by the exhibition, but also thanks to the special sounds of the fair bustle. In addition, there are numerous multimedia effects such as holograms, touch screens or film screenings. All these modern facilities makes that this museum will never get bored!

More than 700 objects

Number of exhibition objects is really impressive, but what can we really see? First of all we learn about the city importance for European Hanseatic League and trade routes. There are preserved some medieval transport elements of the aqueduct from the 12^th century. You can also see some spectacular relics of the first settlement existing in the place of present market in the 11^th century and imagine how Krakow looked like before it was given the city rights. You will also learn a lot about the 11^th century graveyard (in some burials called ‘vampiric’ were bodies stabbed by wooden dowels). Besides that you can enter to former basements of Rich Stalls, which were brick buildings on the eastern wall of the Cloth Hall, established during the reign of Boleslaw the Chaste (13^th century). Very interesting are also remains of the Huge Scale, official city scale!

Krakow Underground Museum sightseeing

Complete guided tour throug Krakow Underground Museum takes about one hour and a half, but to be honest the enormity of attractions makes that we do not know when that time has passed. It is good to take a professional guide who will tell You some details of Krakow history, and a lot of interesting anecdotes that You cannot read in a guidebook.

L’article Visit Krakow and Discover the Hidden Museum! est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.

Explore the beauty of nature!

One of our favorite locations is Ojcow National Park. A trip through the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland is a wonderful opportunity for hiking in stunning landscape. Park can be reached by bus or even urban transport (zone II). What You can see there? Extremely picturesque rocks of the most fancy shapes (even the famous Hercules club!), gorges, beautiful beech forests and caves (including the most famous Łokietka and Ciemna). Admiring unique flora and fauna in Ojcow National Park is a great adventure for every nature lover. Visiting the park is also an opportunity to spend some time in contact with history and art! In the Park Area, stands two impressive castles: beautiful, rebuilt in the Renaissance times castle in Pieskowa Skala and picturesuqe ruins in Ojcow (the castle is a part of the ‘Eagles’ Nests Trial’ – a belt of medieval castles built to defend the southwestern border of the kingdom). In Pieskowa Skala Castle, there is a museum featuring an exquisite collection of paintings.

If you are looking for an opportunity to commune with nature and enjoy views and You want to stay closer to the city centre, we highly recommend trips to the beautiful areas that are still within the city boundaries – Bielany with the Camadolesse Abbey, Wolski Forest with the Zoo or Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec (the last one is available with our guides).

Trips around Krakow – UNESCO World Heritage List

Krakow and its surroundings is a unique cluster of places listed by UNESCO. Among them is one of the seven wonders of Poland – the Wieliczka Salt Mine. It enchants tourists from all over the world. The trip to the underground world of the Wieliczka salt mine remaind a journey to the land of fantasy. Wandering through mine tunnels and exploring vast chambers we can learn about the history of one of the two oldest active salt mines in the world (the other is in Bochnia nearby). We can also admire the subterranean chapels, lakes (yes!) and meet the legendary guardian of the mine. Wieliczka affects the imagination both of adults and children. If you want to explore underground world with a bit of adrenaline, You can choose a special active tour and try your hand in the struggle with a pickaxe!

Another unique place is Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – the oldest Polish Passion sanctuary. The complex presents architectural and landscape qualities that will delight everyone (not only pilgrims). Hiking among the picturesque paths that connects extraordinary chapels designed in the 17th century by Paul Baudarth turnes to contemplation the beauty of the surrounding world. It is worth mentioning that Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is extremely close to the picturesque Lanckorona which has preserved the unique atmosphere of a small Galician town and to Wadowice where Pope John Paul II was born.

A completely separate issue is Auschwitz-Birkenau tour. This is obviously a very difficult experience, but very significant in the important process of shaping the way we think about the men, history and morality.

Guided tours around Krakow

Each of the places mentioned above can be visited with a guide. It is ideal solution for groups, but it is also very comfortable for family visiting or escapade with a bunch of friends. Guide will certainly help you in discovering all the secrets and delights of visited places. If You decide to choose our offer, we will, of course, take care on all the organizational matters! So let us invite You to a fantastic trips around Krakow!

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One of the most charming places is Podgórze district with its narrow streets, that sometimes run very steeply – especially in the area of Krzemionki Podgórskie (limestone cliffs which start at the back of the picturesque neo-Gothic St. Joseph church. Wandering through the Bednarski Park located on the site of a former quarry could be a wonderful experience as well. This trip can be combined with visiting the nearby Romanesque church of St. Benedict on the slope of Lasota Hill. Entrance to the church is possible only on the saint patron’s day and the Rękawka feast. The last one is an old tradition of celebrating the first Tuesday after Easter by cheerful fair and by… rolling round cakes down the hill. Genesis of these celebrations lies deep in pagan times. Speaking about… Be sure to see also the Mound of Krak an ancient burial mound (most likely) on the top of Lasota Hill and see from its summit a fantastic panorama of Krakow. From this viewpoint You will also see former ‘Liban’ quarry. Before exploring Podgórze take a look also to our article dedicated to the Krakow ghetto.

Krakow less kown attractions – what else?

Trip to estate of villas called Salwator may be another fantastic experience. A walk down the Anczyca or Gontyny Street with their modern houses from the beginning of 20^th century (surrounded by beautiful gardens!) is a great pleasure. A tiny but outstanding Romanesque church of the Holy Saviour is situated nearby, as well as the buildings of the Norbertine convent with a remarkable history dated back to Middle Ages.  So as you can see, this area is so picturesque that you can hang around there for hours!

We also encourage You to take a trip to one of the monasteries on the outskirts of Krakow. We highly recommend the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec (monks were settled there in the 11th century). There is a beautiful church with early mediaeval crypts and monastic cloisters, as well as great historical exhibition. You can also buy some local organic products in the monastery shop. We have prepared for You a sightseeing program enriched by descriptions and photographs of the magnificence of the abbey.

Quite an extraordinary experience could be also a trip to the Camaldolese Monastery in Bielany. Monastery was set up on the Silver Mountain in the Sowiniec (splendid local range of hills) and is rarely available to the public (for women only for 12 days a year), but the area itself is very picturesque (Silver Mountain slopes are covered by vineyards). Many picturesque hiking Krakow trails runs nearby – route to the Krakow Zoo, to the Mound of Józef Pilsudski with its beautiful view of the city and many paths through the Wolski Forest, one of the best relaxation areas in the city.

L’article Krakow Trails – Expeditions into the Unknown est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.

Short historical introduction

At the beginning of the 14th century, the owner of the lands Nicholas Zebrzydowski (known from the famous rebellion against the king Sigismund III) came up with the idea of an extraordinary religious foundation. He decided to build a group of chapels dedicated to the Stations of the Cross, which had to imitate the actual and symbolic topography of Jerusalem. The inspirations for this unusual project Zebrzydowski took from descriptions of the Holy Land by the Dutch theologian, Christian Kruike van Adrichem which were very popular in Europe. Zebrzydowski settled in Kalwaria monks from Bernardine Order to take care of the sanctuary. The great Jesuit architect of Italian origin Jan Maria Bernardoni was responsible for the construction of the church and monastery and Paul Baudarth, a goldsmith and builder derived from Netherlands designed the chapels.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska sightseeing

Visiting Kalwaria usually starts from the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (built at the turn of the 17th and the 18th century) and the Bernadine Order monastery. Certainly you are going to appreciate the exquisite architecture and stunning interior of the church which now can be seen in the late Baroque entourage. You should definitely visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Kalwaria with the famous image of a great reverence.

If you plan to explore the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska chapels, then get ready for a long walk. The paths of Kalwaria in total covers up to 6 km². They are divided into two trails: Paths of the Lord Jesus and Paths of the Virgin Mary. The first one combines chapels dedicated to the Christ Passion. The other one refers to the most important events in the life of Mary. Do not expect small chapels with Stations of the Cross – each one is an imposing building with a very original and very sophisticated plan – it is a truly subtle architecture. The Heart of Mary Chapel can serve as a good example – it was built on the ground-floor plan of the heart. It seems that Paul Baudarth used his goldsmith experience designing these remarkable buildings which makes his mannerist architectural works in Kalwaria absolutely unique.

Of course Kalwaria Zebrzydowska sightseeing is not only for architecture admirers. Buildings are situated in the unique landscape context – full of green hills territory delights and encourages to contemplate and pray. Even the surrounding hills have gained names directly referring to the topography of the Holy Land – Golgotha, Mount Moriah, Zion, and the nearby river became Kidron!

You should know that our Kalwaria Zebrzydowska tour means actually following the footsteps of John Paul II who often pilgrimage to Poland’s oldest Passion and Marian sanctuary in his youth. He also visited Kalwaria few times during his pontificate. Pope Benedict XVI wanted to experience by himself the place that so strongly influenced on the spirituality of his predecessor and also came to Kalwaria. We have to mention that the famous Kalwaria mysteries of Christ Passion takes place during Holy Week (they starts from the scene of triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday) and attracts thousands of people.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska sanctuary is a truly exceptional place. Walking through its paths remains in memory for a long time. Would you like to go there with a guide? We invite you to check our route of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska sightseeing available at Kalwaria and Wadowice Tour.

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Cistercianswere settled inMogiłain the firsthalf of the 13thcentury. They camefromtheSilesian abbey in Lubiążat the invitation of the Krakow BishopIwo Odrowąż. In the abbey church ofthe Assumption ofthe Blessed VirginMary and St.Wenceslaus, You can see frescosbyStanislawSamostrzelnikthe most eminentPolishpainter ofthe first half of the 16th-century and the 13th-centurymechanical clock (the oldest in Poland)! The abbeygathersmany wonderfulmonuments andworks of art as well as dazzlinglibrary andarchive. Visitingthe monasteryis also an opportunity tosee an example of the unique Cistertian architecture and learn something about Cistertian spirituality. VisitingNowa Hutawithout visiting the Abbey? We are notable toimagine such situation!

The monks from the Abbey also take care about another church – Gothic wooden temple of St. Bartholomew situated nearby in a very picturesque location. The church was built in the 15-th century and survived till today (it is another foundation of wealthy Odrowąż family). During the summer holidays church is open every weekend. Its interior is totally worth seeing because of the 18th-century ceiling paintings with the centrally located image of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, one of the most important figures in the early history of the Cistercian Order.

In a 4-acre beautiful park in Nowa Huta Krzeslawice, You can see charming 19^th-century manor house (former property of Jan Matejko, one of the most famous Polish painters). Nowadays, it is a museum dedicated to his life and works. Krzesławice village has a long history dating back to the 12th century (it originally belonged to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre monastery in a fairly distant Miechów). For a time, a priest and famous philosopher Hugo Kołłątaj was the tenant of Krzesławice. The existing manor house was built in the 19th century by the Kirchmayers family, from which Matejko acquired it, arranging here a kind of a summer residence where he liked to spend warm months. During Your Nowa Huta sightseeing, You can have a nice moment of relaxation in this charming place. Speaking about Matejko, we would like to note that there are many places connected with this very interesting character in Kraków. The most important exhibition dedicated to his works and family can be seen in the House of Matejko (where he lived for years) in Florianska Street.

Nowa Huta Sightseeing

Devotees of sacred art should also visit the church of St. Vincent and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nowa Huta Pleszów. You can see there a part of the baroque equipment from the Krakow Church of All Saints (the temple was demolished in the 19^th), for example magnificent high altar made of black marble.

Do not forget about the very unique and mysterious monument from the pagan times – the Wanda Mound, a smaller twin of the great Krak Mound in Podgorze. For centuries, the Mound was considered as a grave of the legendary Wanda (local Princess, who did not want to marry a German prince and kill herself). It is hard to figure out, what was the real purpose of the embankment. Is it a barrow tomb or perhaps a part of the monumental Celtic astronomical observatory? There are many hypotheses. However, the name of the village (Mogla means ‘a tomb’ in Polish) comes from this mysterious object. As you can see, Nowa Huta is full of amazing surprises.

Our Nowa Huta sightseeing with a guide have included Mogila Abbey and Krzesławice, but we are open to any changes and Your own ideas!

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Visiting Ojcow National Park

Ojcow National Park is mainly composed of picturesque limestone rocks, fomed by Mother Nature into the strangest shapes (the most known of them is so-called ‘Hercules’ Club’). The park is full of hills, canyons and valleys. Water drilled soft rocks for centuries, making numerous caves (some of them are really large). The landscape is truly unique!

Its qualities are enriched by medieval castles situated on steep rocks. The most famous are Ruins of Ojcow Castle towers over an incredibly picturesque Pradnik River Valley.  Here starts a long chain of fortresses built at the time of King Casimir the Great (14^th century) and nowadays known as Trail of the Eagles’ Nests (more about it in our other post). Absolutely worth seeing is also Pieskowa Skała Castle (rebuilt in the Renaissance into a splendid residence) and located nearby the mentioned Hercules’ Club.

The track through the Pradnik River Valley is one of the most beautiful routes in the Ojcow National Park. There is Ojcow Castle on high limestone hill at one end of the valley (picturesque, v-shaped and surrounded by steep cliffs) and Jonaszowka Rock with fantastic viewpoint on the other side.

Nearby, You can visit a Łokietek Cave on Chelmowa Mount. What story hides behind the strange name of the cave? Wladislaus Łokietek (meaning ‘The Short’) was a Polish King (father of Kasimir the Great). He had to hide inside this great cavern, running from pursuers hunting him by the order of Czech King Wenceslaus. Perhaps the most positive character of this story was a meta menardi – extremely rare, venomous spider which, according to the legend, covers the entrance with its web, so the cave looked as abandoned.

Nowadays, some representatives of this species live in another park cave – Jaskinia Ciemna (‘Dark cave’) which is inhabited also by bats (to specify a lesser horseshoe bat specie), and once was by Neanderthals (their prehistoric remains were found at the entrance to the cave. Both largest caves in the Park could be visited with a guide. There are much more attractions in this beautiful area, like the unique ability to pass through the famous Brama Krakowska (‘Krakow Gate’) shaped by Mother Nature with rocks.

The beauty of Ojców National Park is enhanced by superb monuments of traditional wooden architecture – huts, mills and villas built in the early twentieth century for holiday guests. Walking through the Ojców National Park is really a great pleasure, a true joy for eyes and lungs. We offer visiting Ojcow National Park with a fantastic, professional guide!

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Residents of Nowa Huta stuck the huge cross at the construction site and defended it against the police during the protests in 1960. A struggle for the promised church turned into a real fight for religious and political freedom. Church case united inhabitants of Nowa Huta in resistance against the totalitarian regime which finally gave up under the pressure of ‘working class’. District authorities capitulated and allowed to build the temple in Nowa Huta Bieńczyce area. It was built between 1967-1977 in Obrońców Krzyża (‘Defenders of the Cross’) Street.

Visiting Arka Pana

Before visiting Ark of Lord church you should be aware of the unique role of Karol Wojtyła, who supported residents of Nowa Huta during their struggle for religious freedom and consecrated the temple cornerstone (a gift from Pope Paul VI derived from the Basilica of St. Peter’s). An important figure in the history of Ark of Lord is also its first preacher, Father Joseph Gorzelany who initiated and supervised construction of the church.

Ark of Lord sightseeing is also an interesting experience for architecture lovers. Wojciech Pietrzyk’s project was inspired by the work of Le Corbusier – Notre Dame du Haut chapel in Ronchamp made of reinforced concrete. What can You see inside the church? Well, for example extremely expressive sculpture of crucified Christ by prof. Bronislaw Chromy and original main altar in the shape of a hand. What is more, the tabernacle imitates the globe, but what is really outstanding, the moonstone which the crew of Apollo 11 had given to Pope Paul VI is now put into the doors of tabernacle. Visiting Ark of Lord will be more pleasant with silvery sounds of carillion, playing church melodies every hour (it is a gift from Poles living in Belgium and Netherlands).

Ark of Lord church quickly became a symbol for Nowa Huta residents. Therefore, visiting it should be considered as a must see point during a Nowa Huta tour.

L’article Fight for freedom in Nowa Huta – visiting Arka Pana (‘Ark of Lord’ Church) est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.