Discover-Krakow-in-Poland-Part-34-

North of the main square we can find the most interesting remaining sections of the old wall which once surrounded the city. For walking around in Krakow sooner or later, we will surely meet with the characteristic ring-shaped pretzels.

In the old town, we can still find some café’s that are reminisce into the monarchy which peacefully co-exists with the internet cafes of the 21st century. Otherwise Poland is traditionally more of a tea drinking than a coffee drinking nation so we can’t find the catering institutions in the country where we can’t drink [Foreign Language].

The name of the Florian's Gate was given by the Patron Saint of the city. This is where the king’s road [Foreign Language] started. Many rulers entered the castle through the gate built in 1307. Eight gates divided the City Wall once each of them equipped with the draw bridge. These were protected partly by the city guard and partly by the gilds who had little shops and workshops attached to the wall.

All of the guilts had a section of the wall appointed to them. The 24 meter diameter, thick walled Barbakan made of red brick was built as protection against the Turkish. Karol Wojtyła arch bishop of Krakow who advanced to St. Peter’s throne in the autumn of 1978, now the name John Paul II, Brittney archbishop’s palace opposite to the Franciscan church.

He was not only the first Polish Pope. But after almost 500 years, he was the first Ecclesia Arch who was not born in Italy. During his time as Pope he visited Poland six times and these times he always stayed in the archbishop’s palace. Karol Wojtyła was born in 1920 in
Wadowice. He became a priest at the age of 26. He got his doctorate in Theology at Krakaw University. Besides Philosophical and Theological works, he also wrote dramas, and short stories.

Among enlightened people he received great respect when he admitted the sins of the Catholic Church as pope and apologized for the crusades and the violent spread of the Catholic faith for showing an anti Science attitude in the past and for the atrocities of the inquisition. John Paul II is worthy of the pride of his countrymen.

Hallstatt in Austria, - Transylvania, and Wieliczka in Poland has become part of UNESCO’s world heritage. The salt region developed here approximately 20 million years ago when the water of the sea evaporated and the enormous quantity of salt left here hardened in the stone.

In the beginning salt was dissolved in water and used for preserving food and animal skins. The more productive mass mining was started about 700 years ago by Hungarian miners. The daughter of Hungarian King Bela IV was only 15 years old when she married Polish King Bolesław. The match made out a political considerations turned out to be such a success that the couple lived together happily for 40 years.

After the death of her husband, King did not undertake the rule of the country and until her death she lived in a nunnery of Osccandits as an abbey. The work of the miners who came to her calling meant continuous profit for Graco since salt was one of the most important export products in the middle ages. In [Foreign Language] to this day salt has been mined of all not of an industrial quantities.

A visit in the mines starts with wooden stairs leading down to a depth of 300 meters and it seems there’s never an end to it. In the cavities that were created in the process of mining some statues have been carved out of salt boulders which provide a magnificent spectacle when they lead. In the first toll we can see the statue of Copernicus the great astronomer.

The statues of - to chamber depict the well known legend. Bela IV donated the salt mine to Maramorosch to her daughter Kinga. As a sign of taking possession the princess drew her ring in one of the chefs. In one of the blocks of the village salt mine, this ring was found.

The group of statues depicts the finding of the ring about 1000 miners worked here using manual labor, pick axis and mining hammers. The mine blocks were not transported in the tunnels by bogies but by cars pulled by mine horses. The horses which worked for years and almost complete darkness became blind and could never enjoy their retirement years. They were safe from these sufferings only by industrialization in the 20th century.

In one of the rooms a real surprised awaits visitors; a minor orchestra dressed in gala uniforms gives a concert. The salt carving of the room of Casimir Great depicts the king who first put the rights of minors into writing. In two other rooms the shallots and the PS [Foreign Language], the tools and transportation equipment of mining are exhibited. Their use is demonstrated with the help of audio visual tools, the road leads along Crystal Caves and Mine Lakes.

In the caves stone doors real the tools of the mining tray, the mine consists of nine levels and the three kilometer section walked by the tourist is only 3% of the channels. The full length to the mine is 250 kilometers and it contains 2000 chefs in all.

The holy cross chapel is one of the few places decorated with statues carved of wood. The 55 meter long and 12 meter high statues and reliefs of the king of chapel were carved out of salt blocks of about 20000 tons in weight. The relief’s on the walls represents scenes from the life of Jesus including a relief of the Last Supper.

Naturally John Paul II who canonized Kinga is commemorated by a statue here also. The side of the giant hall lit by crystal chandeliers presents the visitors of Wieliczka with a memorable experience.

In Wieliczka the miners and mining engineers who worked here once are commemorated in several places they named a separate room after Józef Piłsudski. In the buy my room a lightened sound show is presented, this is where the life size statue of good distance. The music is compiled of the works of Vogner.