Posted on 5-5-2012 by AGF

When I visited Warsaw in 2008 I spent a day in Cracow and if this city might not be on your bucket list, well add it!!! This city is vibrant, alive and more exciting than most would imagine.  It was untouched during WWII while others were completely destroyed so you see Cracow the way it has always been – then and now.

The Museums – one of the best things about a city are its museums, they tell the story that city and Cracow has many that will show its soul:

1. The National Museum – a city’s national museum is where its story is told from the past to the present, it lets you see its soul through its art and as you will see Poland has one that will fascinate you and pieced into the museum are exhibits that delve in deeper of this city and country.  https://mnk.pl/oddzial/gmach-glowny 

 

1. The Old Synagogue – this is the oldest surviving synagogue in Poland and during World War II the Nazis used as a warehouse. The museum is a collection of liturgical objects such as ancient Torah scrolls along with photographs, documents and artwork portraying and documenting the history of Jews in Cracow. https://www.muzeumkrakowa.pl/oddzialy/stara-synagoga  

2. Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory – this museum was made famous in the movie ‘Schindler’s List’, it became a key factor in saving the lives of over 1000 Jewish people who were employed by Schindler during WWII.

3. Auschwitz Concentration Camp – this is a place everyone must visit, the tortures that took place here are unimaginable, and what sets this apart from so many other places to see in Poland and the world it is a place you must see for yourself and see the hatred for a peoples and a person’s attempt to extinguish them.  

4. The Architecture – Cracow was not destroyed once the war had ended so most of the buildings that stood then, stand now Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic and Roman style for those of that travel for a city’s architecture Cracow is a must.  

5. Polish Food – one of my rituals during my journeys are the nights I go out for a true authentic dinner of that country, ones that haven’t been Americanized and I enjoy the dish the way I am meant too and in Cracow I would experience an authentic Polish dishes.  Now you know a dish is amazing if its a food you otherwise don’t enjoy and for me it is cabbage, a food that is a staple in Polish cooking, the Cabbage Roll is amazing, for those are looking to enjoy soup than it must be Cucumber Soup and for your main course have Zrazy a meat roulade with a multitude of ingredients. As for meat Lamb and Mutton and this is where I had to put up the stop sign, if it isn’t s bone in New York Sirloin I can not try it, I know I am a snob but when it comes to meat it must be cow.  And for dessert you must have Napoleonka, a two layer cake filled with vanilla and buttercream.

6. Vodka/Beer and Wine – leave the Belvedere in the US and have true Polish in your vodka soda, my choice for vodka lover is  Wódka Żołądkowa Gorzka, an herbal vodka that is nothing like I have ever had.  When was the last time you had beer with strong hints of banana, fruits and clove?  Try and you will, have one and enjoy.  For the wine lovers you Poland will not disappoint.  Adoria are among the best wines in the city, the Pinot Noir is perfect and the Chardonnay will match with any seafood perfectly but with the multitudes to choose from you will find one you love.

7. The Cracow Philharmonic – For those of you that are classical purists and enjoy of music of the world’s best composers this must be on your list of things to do for this Philharmonic will grab you and hold you until the final note is played of whatever piece is being performed, it can stand with the best in the world and hold its own.

8. The Nightlife – when the sun goes down in Cracow this city truly comes to life with something for everyone.  For those looking for live music, a night of dancing or an outdoor concert you will find it anywhere in the city.

9. The People – the wonderful and beautiful people will make you feel welcome and ready to share their homeland with you – its fascinating history and all it has to offer. 

10. The History – the Cracow Ghettos, Aushcwitz, The Old Town, Kazimierz, World War II and so much more, this is a city not to be missed.