October 12th
We woke up this morning to snow.
And I wanted more cupcakes. This is Caramel Apple, Blueberry Cheesecake, and Bourbon Vanilla. The one from the other day was Carrot Cake.
The main square with snow!
We went to find the underground museum that the internet had told us about. However we couldn't find it. We tried to go to the spot that the GPS told us the entrance was, but it was not. Some other tourists asked us about it and we couldn't help them. When I finally found out we got tickets on the other side of the Cloth Hall, but the entrance was on THIS side of the Cloth Hall, I made sure to tell the other tourists. It was very confusing.
The Rynek Underground museum is an archeological and architectural preserve. It exhibits artifacts from nomadic times through the 18th century. It demonstrates how the main square has been used over the centuries which gives you and idea of what life was like in Kraków during different time periods. Above are various ceramic dolls/figures.
You could stand on this crate had have your weight calculated in arcane systems. In the Kraków system of units for weight from the 14th century, I weigh 4 Stone, 24 Pounds, 1 Kraków Grzywna, 1 Wiardunek, 2 Grains, and 1 Obolus. Which is sort of like saying I weigh so many pounds and ounces only in a more convoluted fashion. I also weighed 163 Flemish Pounds and 1 Flemish Ounce for the 14th century system of Flanders. Dan however weighs 1 Kraków Hundredweight, 2 Stone, 6 Pounds, 1 Kraków Grzywna, 2 Wiardunek, 1 Kraków Ounce, 1 Kraków Lot, and 3 Grains.
And now a Plague era model of Kraków.
13th Century jewelry.
Example of how the basement may have been used in the 15th century.
14th/15th century belt buckles.
Medieval Men and their hats. None of them seem to pleased to be wearing their specific hat though. Maybe they all have the same grandmother that made them and she's coming to visit. The guy in the middle can't find his and he knows he's in trouble.
Horseshoes and riding accoutrement from the Middle Ages.
Various blades and stabbing devices.
Games! Dice and other such toys. Gambling often accompanied many of the games, dice and board games were often condemned by church organizations. Chess was the only safe game as it was believe to build intelligence.
Rings of all shapes and sizes.
This is part of the museum and also the foundations/possibly original ground level for the Cloth Hall. I was never quite clear on this. Photo courtesy of
Like a Local.
The museum also had movie rooms that focused on different topics about Kraków's history.
We left the Rynek and headed back to the apartment to collect our things.
But first, St. Mary's in the snow!
We had to be out of the apartment by noon, so the plan was to gather our luggage and take it to the baggage hold at the Wawel fortified architectural complex. When we got to Wawel however, the first ticket person told us everything was closed. This is odd since their website said everything should be open and that Mondays are free. I tried asking another ticket office, who sold me tickets but said the Castle was closed but that other parts were open. The baggage hold was not open. The small baggage hold was open, at least we could go in and there was a lady guarding coats and umbrellas and even a small suitcase. However, she told us that it was closed. Dan was frustrated by this point so we decided leave and to go to the airport early.
Spending extra time in the Kraków airport was not the best idea. Only because it is a small airport and there isn't food beyond snack stands with questionable pre-made sandwiches. Luckily we found some comfy chairs that were near power outlets so we could poke our various electronics to keep us entertained until we left.
Snow coming down on runway 07.
Bye Poland!
Dan would like you to know that Kraków is the only European capital that sounds like 1960's Batman punching someone.
This concludes our adventures in Kraków.
