{"id":2797,"date":"2015-09-28T02:04:04","date_gmt":"2015-09-27T18:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/?p=2797"},"modified":"2017-03-10T17:21:24","modified_gmt":"2017-03-10T09:21:24","slug":"when-you-have-48-hours-in-krakow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/when-you-have-48-hours-in-krakow\/","title":{"rendered":"When you have 48 hours in Krakow"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019d be honest. I made a trip to Krakow because I\u2019d wanted to visit the Auschwitz Concentration camp. I was so focused on sorting out travel arrangements to the camp from the city that I missed out on checking its sights. It makes a pleasant surprise though, when I arrived and discovered what a pretty city Krakow is.<\/p>\n

When you have limited time in this 2000 European Capital of Culture like me, there are still a handful of places to see if you do some quick planning.<\/p>\n

First though, a piece of advice. Always find out exactly how to get to where you\u2019re going in the city. I thought I could rely on the map we picked up from the train station and figure our way to the hostel. Turns out not all maps are up-to-date.<\/p>\n

The husband and I took a train in from Prague and arrived in Krakow early morning. The map we had had chunks missing from it. Taking a bus to our hostel proved a challenge thanks to language barrier. The Polish doesn\u2019t speak much English and we speak no Polish, so we decided to walk to the hostel instead. We read on the hostel\u2019s website it\u2019s not too far from the train station.<\/p>\n

We got terribly lost. We asked around shop vendors and passers-by but most started shaking their heads at us when we were only half-way through our question. To say it was an exasperating situation is an understatement. Then out of nowhere, I spotted a monk, who just stepped out of the monastery to get a paper at a shop across the street. We made a beeline for him and shoved our hostel\u2019s address in his face and asked for directions. Thankfully, although his English wasn\u2019t good, his gesturing was. He waved for us to follow him, and he led us to a map on a signboard further down the road, and found the address. We were so grateful we thanked him repeatedly. He smiled at us, pointed to his robe and said \u201c I am monk. I help.\u201d I may not be religious, but on that day, I looked up to the heavens and thanked the man upstairs.<\/p>\n

Back to the sights of Krakow. There are three main sights I managed to squeeze in during my short trip to this once Stone-Age settlement.<\/p>\n

The Auschwitz concentration camp<\/strong><\/p>\n

The gates of the Auschwitz concentration camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
50 km from the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp, folks come to Krakow to get to the camp. I read on my hostel\u2019s website that they arranged for tours to the camp and booked it.<\/p>\n
I watched The Schindler\u2019s List when I was an impressionable teenager, and it made a huge impact on me. We\u2019ve all studied about World War II, but I never fully comprehended the cruelty of the Nazis until the movie\u2019s chilling portrayal of life in the concentration camp. I knew I had to visit it one day.<\/p>\n
Before going, I read extensively about it to steel myself for the experience. I thought I was all set. The truth is, nothing could ready you for a visit to Auschwitz. It was a three-hour long emotionally draining walk through this abysmal encampment. \u00a0The most harrowing sight was the gas chamber- a small musky, dingy room with a chimney. I stared at the room for a full minute, unable to imagine the pain and suffering that went on here for three years.<\/p>\n
$\"The$
The inside of the gas chamber.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The stories, the photographs and more significantly, the devastating evidence left behind at the camp are stark reminders of the dark days that consumed lives of over one million, and not something I\u2019ll ever forget. Images of adults and children fighting for their survival dwarfed my insignificant discontent with life, and made me very ashamed. The visit was a sobering experience. I\u2019d like to think I came home a different person.<\/p>\n
Read about my experience of the tour at Auschwitz concentration camp<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The <\/strong>**Rynek Glowny Grand Square<\/strong><\/p>\n**
$\"The$
The Rynek Glowny Grand Square is a bustling place!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
If there\u2019s one place you have to visit in Krakow, it has to be this. Dating back to the 13^{th<\/sup> century, this square right in the city center counts itself as one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe. It also has one of the most lively street life.<\/p>\n}
$\"Shops$
Shops selling all sorts of stuff lined the perimeter of the Square.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
The main square is more rectangle than square-ish and is enveloped by historic town houses and churches. Dotted around the square are buskers of different kinds, and all are entertaining.<\/p>\n
$\"Buskers$ <\/p>\n
$\"Buskers$ <\/p>\n
$\"Buskers$ <\/p>\n
$\"Buskers$ <\/p>\n
The center of the Square is the Cloth Hall, a Renaissance building said to be the world\u2019s oldest shopping mall, in business for over 700 years. At the height its prime, the hall sold exotic imports from the Far East, like spices, silk, wax and more. Today, it sells souvenirs and intricate handmade crafts.<\/p>\n
$\"The$
The inside of the Cloth Hall, all of 700+ years old!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The stand-out structure in the Square is the St. Mary\u2019s Basilica, two Gothic towers rising above the Square to a height of 80 meters. Built in the 13^{th<\/sup> century, it was rebuilt in the 14^{th<\/sup> century and \u00a0served as an architecture for Polish churches erected abroad.<\/p>\n}}
$\"You$
You can spot these towers of the St. Mary\u2019s Basilica.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The best way to soak in the Square\u2019s atmosphere is find a caf\u00e9, get a seat facing the square and have a drink or a meal and just watch the sights in front of you, both people and architecture. In my short two days in the city, I sat at different cafes three times, to drink in the Square\u2019s sights. You get plenty of food options at the restaurants here, from traditional Polish dishes to more common Western fare.<\/p>\n
$\"Just$
Just pick a cafe, sit back and relax!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"You$
You can ride on horse carriages and pretend you were still in olden times.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Tip:<\/strong><\/em> Engage with folks at the other table. In a historic city like this, you never know what kind of stories you\u2019ll hear. \u00a0A young man next to us asked why two Asians are keen to visit Krakow. I shared my interest in the Concentration camp, and he in turn, told us about his Great-grandfather, \u00a0who escaped death at the gas chamber by crouching by the corner in the room, and breathing slowly and through a small hole at the bottom of the wall, holding his shirt to his nose. What a story.<\/p>\n
**Wawel Castle<\/strong><\/p>\n**
$\"There's$
There’s quite a bit to explore at the Wawel Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
It\u2019s impossible not to visit an old city like Krakow but not make a trip to its castle. In this case, it\u2019s the Wawel Castle, a Gothic style castle that was the residence of the kings of Poland for centuries. Today it\u2019s a museum that houses some of the country\u2019s most important relics.<\/p>\n
$\"Plenty$
There are plenty of exhibits to pore through at the castle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"Relics$ <\/p>\n
$\"Exhibits$ <\/p>\n
$\"Relics$ <\/p>\n
$\"The$
The Wawel Cathedral.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"View$
View of the city from the Wawel Castle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
**Tip<\/strong><\/em>: I really recommend going here early, of if you can\u2019t, at least buy tickets early. I went mid-morning and stood in line for slightly under an hour to get entry tickets.<\/p>\n**
There\u2019s a bit to explore around the castle compound, get a map and start strategizing. Exploring the area is like a throwback to the past. I felt like I was in a period movie. My favorite part about the tour in the Wawel Castle is its dungeons. You have to take this narrow winding stairs down and it\u2019s a little cold and musky. It reminds me of all those medieval movies I watched where the dungeons are secret passage-ways to escape the enemies.<\/p>\n
$\"This$
This is how a dungeon looks like!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
**Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour<\/strong><\/p>\n**
I spent my last few hours in the city on a hop-on hop-off bus, which took us to important sights around the city, mostly churches, memorials dedicated to the Jews who perished in the war and most significantly, the Oskar Schindler museum. I didn\u2019t have time to get off and explore the museum, which is my biggest regret. Later on, onboard our train bound for Budapest, a fellow traveller shared that she spent four hours in the museum, looking through the extensive coverage the place dedicated to Schindler\u2019s efforts to save innocent lives.<\/p>\n
$\"The$
The only pathetic view of the Oskar Schindler Museum I took on my hop-on hop-off tour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
To me, the best part about Krakow is just going around and exploring. Every corner turns up something interesting. I enjoyed just roaming around the old town, passing by churches, old buildings with interesting architecture and food stalls hawking Polish snacks. As I looked around the quaint and relaxing atmosphere it exudes, I felt the perseverance of \u00a0the Polish, for being able to pick themselves up after the devastation of the wars.<\/p>\n
$\"Entrance$
Entrance to the Old Town. Wear some comfortable shoes and get ready to explore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"Along$
Along the streets in the Old Town in Krakow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"The$
The Baroque Church of St Peter and St Paul in the Old Town.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"The$
The Juliusz S?owacki Theatre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
If you wish to have a dash of Old World charm, Krakow delivers, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The best part about Krakow is just going around and exploring. Every corner turns up something interesting because it has so much history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[201,8],"tags":[107,591,588,592,589,590],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2797"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2797"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3360,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2797\/revisions\/3360"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

The gates of the Auschwitz concentration camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
50 km from the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp, folks come to Krakow to get to the camp. I read on my hostel\u2019s website that they arranged for tours to the camp and booked it.<\/p>\n
I watched The Schindler\u2019s List when I was an impressionable teenager, and it made a huge impact on me. We\u2019ve all studied about World War II, but I never fully comprehended the cruelty of the Nazis until the movie\u2019s chilling portrayal of life in the concentration camp. I knew I had to visit it one day.<\/p>\n
Before going, I read extensively about it to steel myself for the experience. I thought I was all set. The truth is, nothing could ready you for a visit to Auschwitz. It was a three-hour long emotionally draining walk through this abysmal encampment. \u00a0The most harrowing sight was the gas chamber- a small musky, dingy room with a chimney. I stared at the room for a full minute, unable to imagine the pain and suffering that went on here for three years.<\/p>\n
$\"The$
The inside of the gas chamber.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The stories, the photographs and more significantly, the devastating evidence left behind at the camp are stark reminders of the dark days that consumed lives of over one million, and not something I\u2019ll ever forget. Images of adults and children fighting for their survival dwarfed my insignificant discontent with life, and made me very ashamed. The visit was a sobering experience. I\u2019d like to think I came home a different person.<\/p>\n
Read about my experience of the tour at Auschwitz concentration camp<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The <\/strong>**Rynek Glowny Grand Square<\/strong><\/p>\n**
$\"The$
The Rynek Glowny Grand Square is a bustling place!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
If there\u2019s one place you have to visit in Krakow, it has to be this. Dating back to the 13^{th<\/sup> century, this square right in the city center counts itself as one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe. It also has one of the most lively street life.<\/p>\n}
$\"Shops$
Shops selling all sorts of stuff lined the perimeter of the Square.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
The main square is more rectangle than square-ish and is enveloped by historic town houses and churches. Dotted around the square are buskers of different kinds, and all are entertaining.<\/p>\n
$\"Buskers$ <\/p>\n
$\"Buskers$ <\/p>\n
$\"Buskers$ <\/p>\n
$\"Buskers$ <\/p>\n
The center of the Square is the Cloth Hall, a Renaissance building said to be the world\u2019s oldest shopping mall, in business for over 700 years. At the height its prime, the hall sold exotic imports from the Far East, like spices, silk, wax and more. Today, it sells souvenirs and intricate handmade crafts.<\/p>\n
$\"The$
The inside of the Cloth Hall, all of 700+ years old!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The stand-out structure in the Square is the St. Mary\u2019s Basilica, two Gothic towers rising above the Square to a height of 80 meters. Built in the 13^{th<\/sup> century, it was rebuilt in the 14^{th<\/sup> century and \u00a0served as an architecture for Polish churches erected abroad.<\/p>\n}}
$\"You$
You can spot these towers of the St. Mary\u2019s Basilica.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The best way to soak in the Square\u2019s atmosphere is find a caf\u00e9, get a seat facing the square and have a drink or a meal and just watch the sights in front of you, both people and architecture. In my short two days in the city, I sat at different cafes three times, to drink in the Square\u2019s sights. You get plenty of food options at the restaurants here, from traditional Polish dishes to more common Western fare.<\/p>\n
$\"Just$
Just pick a cafe, sit back and relax!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"You$
You can ride on horse carriages and pretend you were still in olden times.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Tip:<\/strong><\/em> Engage with folks at the other table. In a historic city like this, you never know what kind of stories you\u2019ll hear. \u00a0A young man next to us asked why two Asians are keen to visit Krakow. I shared my interest in the Concentration camp, and he in turn, told us about his Great-grandfather, \u00a0who escaped death at the gas chamber by crouching by the corner in the room, and breathing slowly and through a small hole at the bottom of the wall, holding his shirt to his nose. What a story.<\/p>\n
**Wawel Castle<\/strong><\/p>\n**
$\"There's$
There’s quite a bit to explore at the Wawel Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
It\u2019s impossible not to visit an old city like Krakow but not make a trip to its castle. In this case, it\u2019s the Wawel Castle, a Gothic style castle that was the residence of the kings of Poland for centuries. Today it\u2019s a museum that houses some of the country\u2019s most important relics.<\/p>\n
$\"Plenty$
There are plenty of exhibits to pore through at the castle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"Relics$ <\/p>\n
$\"Exhibits$ <\/p>\n
$\"Relics$ <\/p>\n
$\"The$
The Wawel Cathedral.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"View$
View of the city from the Wawel Castle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
**Tip<\/strong><\/em>: I really recommend going here early, of if you can\u2019t, at least buy tickets early. I went mid-morning and stood in line for slightly under an hour to get entry tickets.<\/p>\n**
There\u2019s a bit to explore around the castle compound, get a map and start strategizing. Exploring the area is like a throwback to the past. I felt like I was in a period movie. My favorite part about the tour in the Wawel Castle is its dungeons. You have to take this narrow winding stairs down and it\u2019s a little cold and musky. It reminds me of all those medieval movies I watched where the dungeons are secret passage-ways to escape the enemies.<\/p>\n
$\"This$
This is how a dungeon looks like!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
**Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour<\/strong><\/p>\n**
I spent my last few hours in the city on a hop-on hop-off bus, which took us to important sights around the city, mostly churches, memorials dedicated to the Jews who perished in the war and most significantly, the Oskar Schindler museum. I didn\u2019t have time to get off and explore the museum, which is my biggest regret. Later on, onboard our train bound for Budapest, a fellow traveller shared that she spent four hours in the museum, looking through the extensive coverage the place dedicated to Schindler\u2019s efforts to save innocent lives.<\/p>\n
$\"The$
The only pathetic view of the Oskar Schindler Museum I took on my hop-on hop-off tour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
To me, the best part about Krakow is just going around and exploring. Every corner turns up something interesting. I enjoyed just roaming around the old town, passing by churches, old buildings with interesting architecture and food stalls hawking Polish snacks. As I looked around the quaint and relaxing atmosphere it exudes, I felt the perseverance of \u00a0the Polish, for being able to pick themselves up after the devastation of the wars.<\/p>\n
$\"Entrance$
Entrance to the Old Town. Wear some comfortable shoes and get ready to explore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"Along$
Along the streets in the Old Town in Krakow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"The$
The Baroque Church of St Peter and St Paul in the Old Town.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"The$
The Juliusz S?owacki Theatre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
If you wish to have a dash of Old World charm, Krakow delivers, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The best part about Krakow is just going around and exploring. Every corner turns up something interesting because it has so much history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[201,8],"tags":[107,591,588,592,589,590],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2797"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2797"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3360,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2797\/revisions\/3360"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}