Kraków castle

September 18, 2014

You can't take pictures inside the Krakow Castle, which is unfortuante because it is a fascinating and complicated series of buildings. It was built originally in the 14th century, but then destroyed and rebuilt several times. A few pictures to give a sense of the place and its surroundings.

 

A picture of a chest inside one of the casle buildings till I was told to stop taking pictures. It is hard to imagine someone actually using something as beautiful.

Gargoyle, rainpipe

Strange things in underground passaage from castle to street.

Krakow Dragon - beware!

Robert and Pope John Paul outside the castle.

Pretty flowers and moths outside castle.

 

 

View from the Castle.

 

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Street scenes

Kraków

Imitation of the Grand Amok

This was one of the first things we saw in Kraków

And then this on a food truck

Near our hotel

Strange person

At the fair

Moose head on a bike

Beans in a head

Anna recommended this very nice, very old restaurant

 

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Jewish Kraków #2

Synagogues

Only a few of the synagogues were still functioning. Some were quite elegant. The strangest one had signs of the Zodiac.

 

 

 

Cemetery

 

 

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Jewish Krakow #1

 Street scenes

Royal Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral - Prague

September 11 - 16, 2014

Fountain outside castles

 

 

Wonderful Art Nouveau painted stained glass by Alfons Mucha in St. Vitus Cathedral

 

Flying angel

 

Putti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

s3pt3mb34

 

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Prague - St. Nicholas Church & the Infant of Prague

St. Nicholas Church is overwhelmingly baroque. Quite dizzying.

 

Infant of Prague is in a nearby cathedral. Interestingly, he has had many different outfits over the ages, which are on display at the cathedral. The Infant is said to be able to influence the weather.

 

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Prague - Some More Street Scenes, Lennon Wall

Street Scenes

 

Locks - supposed to be symbolic of everlasting love, except when the locks get cut off.

More work from and admirer of James

The Lennon Wall. In the 1980s, young people filled the wall with drawings and poems of peace and love,, inspired by John Lennon. The authorities painted over the graffitii, but it reappeared the next day. It continues to be painted and repainted, but now it is because it is a "living" wall.

This is for Kate.

 

 

 

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