September 21, 2014
A day in Krakow
We continue to be enchanted by the wonderful city of Krakow. Our hotel is very comfortable and beautifully decorated with huge posters of the work of the Czech Art Nouveau Artist Mocha. Last night at the concert we sat on velvet seats in an old room at the palace soaking up the Chopin played by a very competent young Pianist. We ate at the hotel and had a really excellent bottle of 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon made very surprisingly in Moldovia - we must be among just a few people in NZ who have tasted Moldovian wine. It was very good indeed with no 'greens' and was 13% which if there was no added sugar during fermentation means they must be able to ripen the grapes very well there.
Today we have wandered the streets, admired the amber which is for sale all over the city, visited the cathedral and castle. The really special visit was at the end of the day. We visited St Mary's Basilica which when you enter it is like stepping into a jewel box. This has the Veit Stoss Altar dominating the interior. Carved of oak and linden then painted it is the largest altar of its kind in Europe and dates from the 15th century. It is a national treasure of Poland and during WW2 was taken by the Nazis. At the end of the war it was found in the basement of Nuremberg Castle and after restoration returned to its pride of place in St Mary's Basilica
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 0 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 0 |