To Kazimierz Dolny for the wedding of our events manager, Tessa, to Adam (above). The ceremony took place in Lazienki Park, followed by a drive down to Poland's most pictureque (and hence most touristy) small town for the reception. The wedding was exquisitely organised (as one would expect from Tessa - the best organiser I know!), wonderful food, music, setting, happy people.Kazimierz Dolny also happened to be playing host to an international folk music festival, so the charming town (heaving at its very seams at this time of year) was even more crowded than usual. Below: The view from the gate of the church of St John the Baptist.
Kazimierz has some unique architecture that makes it a real gem among smaller Polish towns; the tragedy is that there are not more like it. Germany, France, Italy, Spain - not to mention England - have thousands of truly beautiful villages and small towns. Can anyone helpfully point out some more in Poland worth spending some time in?
Right: Looking towards Kazimierz's main square. Behind me was the pensionat at which I stayed, Pod Wietrzną Górą, which I can recommend for excellent service, lovely rooms, good food, air conditioning and excellent shower units.But avoid peak tourist times - just look at that traffic jam!
Sandomierz nad Wis��, Zamo�� Che�mno. Those small towns are a must for all unique architecture fans. You won't be defeated! =)
ReplyDeleteSandomierz nad Wisla, Zamosc, Chelmno...without polish signs of course.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest Sandomierz, similar atmosphere of medieval town, quiet and picturesque. Once a great city like Krakow and Wroclaw, after several wars and battles which were taking place every couple of hundred years, now just a small town with history and magic you can feel in the air when strolling along the streets in the Old Town. It is beautiful, especially when you are approaching from the south (from Rzeszow, Tarnobrzeg) and see it from the bridge over Vistula.
ReplyDeleteAnd not so busy like Kazimierz. Loving it.
But you're right, there are not many towns like these when compared with England or Germany. II World War - this is the reason I'd say.
Yup - Sandomierz and Zamość - have visited both (Sandomierz four or five times, Zamość needs a prompt revisit!). Zamość makes a phenomenal impression. So Mediterranean, it's hardly Polish.
ReplyDeleteSandomierz - apparently, there's a Judge Jan Dembiński buried there, who died aged 120...
Chełmno? Don't know it. Tell me more, KG!
Chełmno is one of the most interesting small, mediaeval town in Poland where "historia jest w cegle zapisana". =) Beautiful Old Town with City Hall and the longest defende wall in Europe are the symbols of the town. At the end I'd like to tell, that Chełmno is supposedly... "miasto zakochanych", like Paris =)
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