The main square of Krakow is called the Market Square -- this is the most of us standing in it. It is hard to believe but Poland used to be the most powerful country in Europe, and Krakow was the capital at that time. So the whole rise and fall of Eastern Europe was determined from this square.
Catholic-Christianity came to Poland over one thousand years ago. The first person to preach Christianity was Saint Adalbert. The white church to the right is built over the spot where he preached, and through his preaching converted the kingdom of Poland. The church in the background is the Basilka of Saint Mary. It is the largest church in Krakow. It is famous for its trumpeter, who keeps the time of the town by playing each hour on the hour -- 24/365. He is a real man, not a machine. Even in the wee hours, even on the freezing cold days. This is done in remembrance of the trumpet player who saved the town from a Tartan attack in the 1300's. He climbed the tower to play his song -- warning the whole town. Through his heroic efforts he saved the town, but lost his life as a Tartar managed to shout him through the throat before he even finished playing his song.
Just an inside view of the Basilka of Saint Mary.
And this was the seat of power for all of Krakow, all of Poland, and all of Eastern Europe -- WAWEL CASTLE and CATHEDRAL. This is the Cathedral where John Paul II was Archbishop before he was the Pope. It was very beautiful, but smaller than I thought it would be.
This is in the bell tower -- it is only rung on very special occasions -- for the sake to these people's ears I hope there is not a special occasion soon!
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The main square of Krakow is called the Market Square -- this is the most of us standing in it. It is hard to believe but Poland used to be the most powerful country in Europe, and Krakow was the capital at that time. So the whole rise and fall of Eastern Europe was determined from this square.
Catholic-Christianity came to Poland over one thousand years ago. The first person to preach Christianity was Saint Adalbert. The white church to the right is built over the spot where he preached, and through his preaching converted the kingdom of Poland. The church in the background is the Basilka of Saint Mary. It is the largest church in Krakow. It is famous for its trumpeter, who keeps the time of the town by playing each hour on the hour -- 24/365. He is a real man, not a machine. Even in the wee hours, even on the freezing cold days. This is done in remembrance of the trumpet player who saved the town from a Tartan attack in the 1300's. He climbed the tower to play his song -- warning the whole town. Through his heroic efforts he saved the town, but lost his life as a Tartar managed to shout him through the throat before he even finished playing his song.
Just an inside view of the Basilka of Saint Mary.
And this was the seat of power for all of Krakow, all of Poland, and all of Eastern Europe -- WAWEL CASTLE and CATHEDRAL. This is the Cathedral where John Paul II was Archbishop before he was the Pope. It was very beautiful, but smaller than I thought it would be.
This is in the bell tower -- it is only rung on very special occasions -- for the sake to these people's ears I hope there is not a special occasion soon!
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