Synthesis of everything that is Polish
Małopolska - a region with the highest number of monuments in Poland, region of culture heritage, fascinating traditions and varied natural conditions.
Krakow, the capital of Małopolska, once the capital of Poland and the seat of the kings, nowadays is the artistic and culture centre of the country, the city described by Pope John Paul 2nd as "the synthesis of everything that is Polish". Impressive architecture, churches in almost every architectural style, culture institutions, cafes and pubs, create the exceptional character of this place, the ambience that one cannot experience anywhere else in the world.
But Krakow is just one of the gems of Małopolska. To the south-east of Kraków there is Wieliczka with its monumental salt mine and the underground Salt Museum - visit to chapels and chambers carved in salt is an unforgettable experience.
Further south the only mountain range of Alpine character in Poland begins. It is the Tatra Mountains with Zakopane, called the winter capital of Poland.
A characteristic feature of the Małopolska region is its culture heritage. In almost every town of Małopolska one can find old churches, monasteries and in the Southeast wooden Greek Catholic churches.
1st day
Krakow
morning: arrival in Krakow,
afternoon: tour of the residence of Polish kings for centuries - stroll through fine medieval architecture, virtually untouched by war. Visit to the Royal Wawel Castle and St. Mary's Church as well as the splendid Market Square.
evening: dinner with live music show at traditional Polish restaurant
2nd day
Krakow
morning: From Paradisus Judeorum to... the extermination" - walking tour of Kazimierz - the former and best preserved Jewish district in Europe. An opportunity of discussion with an employee of the Jewish Culture Centre about present Polish-Jewish relations.
afternoon: at leisure
evening: piano Chopin concert at one of the beautiful tenement houses at the Main Square followed by dinner at a local restaurant
3rd day
Krakow, Łopuszna, Dębno Podhalańskie, Zakopane
morning: drive south of Krakow, to Łopuszna - a village where a 15th century wooden church is a beautiful example of sacral gothic style in Polish countryside. And where 19th century - and partly even 16th century manor house offers a Contemporary Art Gallery and ethnographic exhibitions of village kitchen and a country house, belonging formerly to Klamerus family from the village, now stands open to visitors, moved from its previous place in the village centre.
midday: continue to Dębno Podhalańskie, giving an opportunity to admire the famous Miachel’s Archangel church - built in the 15th century, wooden, with richly decorated interiors, mostly originating from the 15th or 16th century, 33 colours of the flowers painted on the walls and ceiling and triptych altar. The church is a part of the Wooden Architecture Trail and listed on the Unesco world heritage list.
afternoon: the tour continues towards Zakopane and stops again in Jaszczurówka to see the beautiful wooden chapel.
evening: dinner at a traditional local restaurant with dishes typical for Polish mountaineers, open fireplace and stylish interiors.
4th day
Zakopane, Chochołów, Wysoka, Sucha Beskidzka, Stryszów, Lanckorona, Krakow
morning: walk through the city offering the chance to see the famous Krupówki street - main walking promenade of Zakopane; the Villa "Harenda" from 1920, one floor wooden building with a porch and an attic where Zakopianski style can be seen in some details. Ground floor houses the Museum of the writer who lived in Zakopane - Jan Kasprowicz. One more point of interest in Zakopane is the church of Our Lady of Fatima - sanctuary built by local citizens as an expression of the thankfulness for keeping the Pope John Paul the 2nd alive after the attack at him in 1981.
midday: continue to the nearby Chochołów - an absolutely unique living open air museum - village comprising a large collection of wooden farm houses built in 18th and 19th century, in the traditional way and Zakopiański style. 120 of these houses are under special care of professional restorers. The most attractive time for a visit here is the springtime, when the housewives go outside to clean the walls of their houses with the use of brush and water.
afternoon: go on to Wysoka village with a well preserved, stylish 16th century manor house, once a fortified seat of Zebrzydowscy family, today a place where The Company of Lute meets for polyphonic singing sessions accompanied by lute.
Visit the nearby Sucha Beskidzka - to see the "Kasper Suski" castle with its park. The castle owes this name to its founder - Kasper Castiglione Suski who built the first fortress here in the 16th century. The most impressive room of the castle - Knights’ room - with wooden ceiling and renaissance fireplace - can be entered by the stone stairs leading from the courtyard.
Continue to Stryszów, offering one of the most interesting examples of manor houses, built in the 15th or 16th century as a fortified seat of the Słupski noble family, rebuilt in the 17th century, nowadays a museum - it features a 19th century furnished interior.
The final stop that day, south-west of Krakow, is the picturesque town of Lanckorona, with its market square dating back to the 14th century, surrounded by wooden houses, with 14th century castle ruins overlooking the town, and with St Joachim's parish church from the first half of 18 century; on Greek cross plan. The church was built in 1733 in Przytkowice and moved to where it is situated now in the 60s of the last century.
evening: return to Krakow to check-in a hotel and allow the impressions of the recent days settle in memory during a leisurely, relaxed dinner at a local restaurant.
