June 30, 2014

The empty chairs by the former Jewish Ghetto in Krakow, Poland

The empty chairs by the former Jewish Ghetto in Krakow, Poland

The empty chairs of steel in  Plac Bohaterow Getta, Krakow, Poland

A sad memory in honor of all those lives from Krakow murdered by the Nazis under WWII

From the net:
A memorial monument for the murdered Jews of the Podgorze Ghetto in Krakow was inaugurated on 8 December 2005. The winning project by Krakow architects Piotr Lewicki and Kazimierz Łatak included 33 illuminated chairs (1.4 m high) in the square and 37 smaller chairs (1.2 m high) standing on the edge of the square and at the tram stops. They called their project "Nowy Plac Zgody" which means "New Concordia Square".
The fundamental symbolical idea behind the project is a stylistic representation of all the old furniture being thrown out onto the so-called Umschlagplatz at the Podgorze Ghetto, when the inhabitants of the ghetto had finally been assembled by the German SS in so-called Aktionen to be sent to death (mainly to Belzec). 




A part of the original ghetto walls from WWII in Krakow


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This tour sponsored by: CRACOWDAYS
Higly recommended Boutique Hotel, B&B in Central Krakow
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June 28, 2014

Belgian Frites and a wall painting in the Jewish quarter of Krakow, Poland

Belgian Frites and a wall paint in the Jewish quarter of Krakow, Poland

Kazimierz the old Jewish quarter in Krakow looks partially a bit worn out and for me this wall painting with the sales point for Belgian Frites is in many ways a typical detail of the place.


Florist in Kazimierz


Items at the antique market in the Jewish Kazimierz


Vegetable market in the Jewish Kazimierz





To the left:
The madam have a hair wash with the local hairdresser in the Jewish Kazimierz, Krakow








From the net:
Kazimierz – the district south of the Old Town between the Wisła River and ul. Dietla (where a tributary of the Wisła once flowed) was the centre of Jewish life in Kraków for over 500 years, before it was systematically destroyed during World War II.

In the communist era it became one of Kraków’s dodgiest districts while gradually falling into disrepair. Rediscovered in the 1990s, thanks to the fall of the regime and worldwide exposure through the lens of Steven Spielberg,

Well-known for its associations with Schindler and Spielberg, traces of Kazimierz’s Jewish history have not only survived, but literally abound in the form of the district’s numerous synagogues and Jewish cemeteries.




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THIS TOUR SPONSORED BY CRACOWDAYS 
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Magdalena (left) and Janusz Galka welcome their guests to their well managed small Boutique Hotell and B&B in the central part of Krakow.

Ranked as one of the best overnight stays in Krakow, by Tripadvisor. Magdalena, Janusz and their staff is  well known for their extended and personal service.

Be welcome to use the link above to learn more of this outstanding place for your stay in Krakow.

June 25, 2014

Blue hour by St. Marys Basilica at the Main Square, Krakow, Poland

 
Night shots without a tripod is not my first preference. But with a little help from a high ISO you may have a decent result....

From the net:
St. Mary's Basilica
Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven

Completed1347
Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven (also known as St. Mary's Church; Polish: Kościół Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny (Kościół Mariacki)) is a Brick Gothic church re-built in the 14th century (originally built in the early 13th century), adjacent to the Main Market Square in Kraków, Poland. Standing 80 m (262 ft) tall, it is particularly famous for its wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz).

On every hour, a trumpet signal—called the Hejnał mariacki—is played from the top of the taller of St. Mary's two towers. The plaintive tune breaks off in mid-stream, to commemorate the famous 13th century trumpeter, who was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm before the Mongol attack on the city. The noon-time hejnał is heard across Poland and abroad broadcast live by the Polish national Radio 1 Station.

St. Mary's Basilica also served as an architectural model for many of the churches that were built by the Polish diaspora abroad, particularly those like St. Michael's and St. John Cantius in Chicago, designed in the so-called Polish Cathedral style.

The church is familiar to many English-speaking readers from the 1929 book The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly.



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THIS TOUR SPONSORED BY CRACOWDAYS.COM
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Window flowers at a superior room at Cracowdays
 

June 21, 2014

Wawel - the hill of fame in Krakow, Poland


Wawel - The Hill of Fame. The photo displays the Wawel Cathedral - 2 photos stitched.

From the net:
Wawel Hill in Krakow, the mecca of every Pole and a must for foreign tourists, is a microcosm of Polish history and culture. From the 11th century on Poland's monarchs took up their residence here in the Royal Castle. And they were both crowned and buried here, in the Wawel Cathedral where later on Polish national heroes have also been laid to rest since the 19th century. The place not only overflows with priceless art treasures, architectural beauties, relics of the past and curiosities. It is also full of glory, magic, history and fable.



This tour sponsored by cracowdays.com

In the photo the breakfast room
 
 

June 19, 2014

St. Florians gate - the old historic entrance to Krakow, Poland

 
The old, historic entrance to Krakow, Poland

From our walk in the Krakow old town we also had this photo of the old St. Florian's gate which is topped by the Furriers' tower. This gateway is the historic entrance to the city, and the starting point of processions that hail back to ancient times. This route, which leads down Florianska street and on to Wawel, is known as the Royal Way.

From the net
St. Florian's Gate
By 1500 Cracow was not only one of the richest cities in Europe but also one of the best fortified. The Old Town was ringed by a great wall, and this was punctuated by forty-seven towers and encircled by a moat. Immediately beyond this lay a further line of defense, comprising of a second wall and yet another moat. This outer wall was pierced by two barbicans, one of which, a splendid edifice, still survives. Owing to these formidable defenses, marauding armies were faced with a great dilemma. Much as they might wave the dismembered heads of those unlucky souls that had been caught beyond the city limits, more often than not they could not traverse the wall. Indeed, for a period of about two hundred years, Cracow was unbroken by foreign invasions.


Street Vendor in Krakow - maybe not a good day for the business?

Street leading to the big main square - In the back the towers of St Marys basilica


Our tour to Krakow was sponsored by

To the left a superior room at our Boutique Hotel

June 18, 2014

Coffee filter for the big main square in Krakow, Poland


On our day walking around in Krakow we was "blessed" with a complete washed out sky - so instead of the dull white I added here a coffee filter for a more interesting result.

From the net
The main square of the Old Town of Kraków, Lesser Poland, is the principal urban space located at the center of the city.

It dates back to the 13th century, and at roughly 40,000 m² (430,000 ft²) is the largest medieval town square in Europe.

The Project for Public Spaces (PPS) lists the square as the best public space in Europe due to its lively street life.
The main square is a rectangular space surrounded by historic townhouses (kamienice), palaces and churches.

The center of the square is dominated by the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), rebuilt in 1555 in the Renaissance style, topped by a beautiful attic or Polish parapet decorated with carved masks.

On one side of the cloth hall is the Town Hall Tower (Wieża ratuszowa), on the other the 10th century Church of St. Adalbert and 1898 Adam Mickiewicz Monument. Rising above the square are the Gothic towers of St. Mary's Basilica (Kościół Mariacki).


This tour sponsored by: Cracowdays (www.cracowdays.com )

To the left - beautiful orchidee in our hotel room window.
 

June 17, 2014

The horse carriages and more in Krakow, Poland


A popular way for getting around in the old town. Captured here as a carriage returns to the main square.
(Seems like the pair up there was not on the same smiling course..... :-)

From the net:
The most romantic way to tour Kraków is in one of the many horse-drawn carriages, which line up at the northern end of Rynek Główny and on ul Grodzka opposite the Church of St Andrew. You decide which route you want to take, or leave it up to the driver to take you for a trot round the sights of the Old Town or even down to Kazimierz.

Some musicians on their way in their busy Krakow moring

How is it to stand in a window making Krakow chocolate?

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Our tour to Krakow was sponsored by cracowdays.com
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June 16, 2014

The main square in Krakow, Poland


The main square in Krakow presented as a stitch of 2 photos.


From the net
The main square of the Old Town of Kraków, Lesser Poland, is the principal urban space located at the center of the city.

It dates back to the 13th century, and at roughly 40,000 m² (430,000 ft²) is the largest medieval town square in Europe.

The Project for Public Spaces (PPS) lists the square as the best public space in Europe due to its lively street life.
The main square is a rectangular space surrounded by historic townhouses (kamienice), palaces and churches.

The center of the square is dominated by the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), rebuilt in 1555 in the Renaissance style, topped by a beautiful attic or Polish parapet decorated with carved masks.

On one side of the cloth hall is the Town Hall Tower (Wieża ratuszowa), on the other the 10th century Church of St. Adalbert and 1898 Adam Mickiewicz Monument. Rising above the square are the Gothic towers of St. Mary's Basilica (Kościół Mariacki).


June 15, 2014

Sightseeing for the small folks in Krakow, Poland


The small folks was out for some sightseeing at the big market place in Krakow - and as the leader point outs something of interest high up at a building the small folks all take a closer look - that is with the exception of the one in the back who seems more engaged in own thoughts.

Magdalena Trybus at Cracowdays

We are just back from a few days in this fine, cultural, old city in the South of Poland. The initiative came as an invitation from Magadalena (photo at left) at the small, well-managed Boutique-hotel "Cracowdays" (cracowdays.com) - centrally situated in the city.

Starting today there will be some posts from Krakow and a photoset/album from Krakow and later from Auschwitz-Birkenau, the concentration camp from WWII.

You are welcome back in the coming days for a few impressions from this tour.




From the net:
Today’s Krakow is a vibrant city of a million, proud of its long and glorious history, rich heritage, and architectural beauties. For many centuries the capital of the Polish kingdom, nowadays it remains the southern Poland’s metropolis and the seat of the Malopolska provincial government. Important as a crucial center of business, culture, and education, Krakow is also famous for its myriad restaurants and nightspots.

June 11, 2014

The most beautiful park in France? Jardin de St Andrien, Beziers

 
Today another details from this grand park - a woman statue in a tilt-shift setting..

Jardin de Saint Adrien is to be found right north of Beziers in a region cultivated from ancient times influenced not least by the Romans who was very active in this part of the world.

We visited this garden under their seasonal opening in May together with hundreds of others visitors in a day with a parade of Venetian carnival dressed people wandering about - some italian singer performing etc etc.

I think this park is partly based on an ancient park from medieval times and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in France - The garden won the 2013 award for the best loved garden of the French, the 'Jardin Préféré des Francais 2013' in a competition by the France 2 television chanel.


 
The madam enjoys walking around in this grand park.
 
 
Another pano from this park made from a 2 photo stitch.

June 9, 2014

When snow become water. Flood at Solbergfoss, Norway


Hundreds of kilometer away from this Hydroelectric Power Plant at the river Glomma in Norway Southeast - the snow in the mountains started to melt right after the easter days up in the mountains.

And then, as almost every year the flood have reached this place right in my neighboorhood on it's way to the ocean only 100km away after a long travel from the mountains.

And as we do the most years we find a fine day to bike to this power plant to have a look at the great spectacle.

2 photos stitched.

Have a fine day :-)
 

June 6, 2014

Jardin de St Andrien, Beziers - The most beautiful park in France?


Jardin de Saint Adrien is to be found right north of Beziers in a region cultivated from ancient times influenced not least by the Romans who was very active in this part of the world.

We visited this garden under their seasonal opening in May together with hundreds of others visitors in a day with a parade of Venetian carnival dressed people wandering about - some italian singer performing etc etc.

I think this park is partly based on an ancient park from medieval times and considered to be one of the most beautiful in France - The garden won the 2013 award for the best loved garden of the French, the 'Jardin Préféré des Francais 2013' in a competition by the France 2 television chanel.


Pls. enjoy my photo above - stitched from 2 photos.


The main house and pool in the grand park.


The madam under siege from a Venetian.....


Another stitch of 2 photos from the park.

Lots of visitors on the seasonal opening.

June 5, 2014

The road to the medieval Madeloc tower in South of France


There is 300 days with sun in this part of France.

But in this photo, a more clouded day, we walk uphills to the former Catalan watch tower Madeloc - just outside of the village Collioure.
In the background you can see the old tower.

From the net:
The Albères,the foothills of Pyrenees as a natural border between Spain and France were for centuries of strategic importance.The Tour Madeloc ,a watch tower was built in 1285 by James II of Majorca to protect his territory of Roussillon against possible attacks both from the north by the king of France and from the south by his brother Peter of Aragon(Spain).

Watching the sea,it is located 2100 feet(652 m) above sea level and its guards could signal other towers by means of fire enemy movements.

The Madeloc watch tower offers stunning views of the lowlands and the coast of Roussillon,view to the north.
This two storey tower with a spiral staircase was done up by Vauban in the 17th century.It is now a TV relay station.On clear days,one get breathtaking views of the sea,plain of Roussillon and mountains.

June 4, 2014

Morning mist over the mountain farm, Mollo, Catalonia, Spain


A grey morning in May in the small mountain village Mollo by the foot of the Pyrenees.


Photo from the newer part of the village Mollo.

 
Wine barrels at the small local grocery.
 

June 3, 2014

Scandinavians at Chateau Valmy in Argeles, South of France


Chateau Valmy a grand Art nouveau architechture in white build around 1880 by a french producer of cigarette papers.

Today part of a modern hotel and wine destillery.

In May also a meeting place for Scandinavians from NIMROS.eu an organisation for Scandinavians living or staying long time in the French region Languedoc-Rousillon. See below for some photos of the people of Sweden, Denmark and Norway who participated at a picnic this fine day in May:






Finally some locals NOT part of the Scandinavian group.....

June 2, 2014

The view from Madeloc to Banyuls Sur Mer, South of France

 

Another great view from the Madeloc tower by the foots of the Pyrenees.
The town down there is Banyuls Sur Mer. While the big buildings in front of town belongs to the wine destillery Cellier-des-templiers Banyuls.

Under - another view a bit more North to the popular bay of Paulille.

June 1, 2014

Modern wedding at the farm, Norway


Well they did not had the wedding itself at the farm - but after the formalities in the church they returned to the farm of the brides parents in the countryside app. 50 km southeast of Oslo.

No horse and carriage or even some veteran car - now in these days nothing less but their rented helicopter of the day.

We was out biking and nearly had the copter in the head - of course we stopped to have a memory of the event (and of course for a photog who always carry his camera around - but not today... typical)

Anyway enjoy the 2 photos stitch (based on photos from my iphone4) - with the bride in the back and some aunts in the foreground dressed in original Norwegian folk dresses (apparently from two different valleys based on the colors/pattern of their dresses).

--and BTW our tour on the bikes was in all 43km - at a perfect day,,