Krakow and Wroclaw: Poland’s Historic Gems

…The Weight of the Past …

Poland, or “Polska” as locally known, is the highlight of our 2024 European Campaign.  While rich in culture and tradition, Poland’s lengthy history of war and occupation weighed on my travel experience.    

My Poland was 3 weeks spent in Kraków and Wroclaw, two southern cities that played prominent roles in the region’s lengthy history.  Both remain excellent examples of medieval prosperity and preservation that were largely spared the bomb damage of WWII.  And while these cities are clearly a refreshing “up and coming” optimistic part of tired old Europe, their long history of bloody conflicts (Sweden, Prussia, Russian, French, Nazis, Soviets) consciously weighed on me during the trip.   Sure, like Poland, most European cities have an abundance of war statues and campaign reminders, but Poland had the additional black cloud of brutal Nazi and Soviet occupations.  The remnants of the Jewish ghettos, the multiple reminders of Nazi and KGB ties to landmarks in each urban area and Auschwitz- Birkenau less than an hour’s drive away.   Layer on top of that a visit to the gas chambers and Death Gate at Auschwitz, regardless of your sympathies, which then shapes the lens you see everything through for the remainder of your visit.  This prompts a lot of thoughts about the treatment of the Jews, the Poles, and Humanity itself.   

Maybe the mistake was reading too many history books before visiting Poland.  Undoubtedly, the people, hospitality, and food are some of the finest in Europe.  Poland is one of the few places left in Europe where local folk still show affection for the USA and ask continuous questions about life in America.  Poland is fun, and you can sense the enormous local pride and optimism.  The future seems bright, and I’ll be back.