Walking Tour of Krakow - Day 11

First, breakfast at Scandale Royale, a little cafe across the square from our hotel to give us strength to meet the challenges of our strenuous itinerary (eggs, smoked salmon, cheese, bread & wonderful coffee for $6!

Our guide Marta (who lived in the US for 4 years) then picked us up at the hotel for a 1/2 day tour of Krakow. Marta is so knowledgeable and her English is great. To really get to know the city, I would suggest booking Marta when you visit Krakow!!

First stop Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter of Krakow. The Jewish quarter, established in the 15th century, contained 65,000 Jews before the Second World War. Only a few thousand survived the war and only 200 or so now live in Krakow. 

Medieval Jewish building. 

Part of Schindler's List was filmed on this staircase and around Krakow. 

Krakow is a city of churches including Wavel Cathedral (the national church where most of Poland's important rulers are buried), medieval winding streets, medieval, renaissance, baroque and Art Nouveau buildings (and some ugly communist-era buildings for contrast) and one lovely castle. 

BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES

Pope John Paul II, Poland's native son, recently canonized. 

Medieval Streets

Lovely restored buildings...

    The Royal Castle

    Many, many more lovely buildings

After Professor Marta's 4 hour history and culture lesson, we were exhausted and again in need of sustinance. 

Desiring to sample more traditional Polish dishes we gave "Polski Smaki" a try (a no-frills cafeteria restaurant serving tasty, authentic Polish food to a local Krakow crowd). 

On the table are traditional cabbage rolls, zucchini with meat and tomato sauce topping, zurek (sour soup made from broth and fermented wheat flour, delicious), and pierogi (polish ravioli stuffed with a variety of ingredients such as meat, sauerkraut & mushrooms, spinach, fruit, etc). 

Pierogi

Shopping in the 14th century "Cloth Hall"

Dinner and drinks (Ray and I sampled the local beer, cherry brandy and vodka) on the square. The girls had to walk us home!!