Imagine Poland

Thursday, 17 March 2011

Gdansk, Recent Visit

Recently visited Gdansk, knew it was cold but I was still surprised to find the Motlawa River frozen over, it was quite a spectacle. There were lots of photo opportunities and were busy working on the results from the trip.
Hope to post them to our website Imagine Poland in the near future.

View from Szafarnia

Usefull Links

Things to Do in Gdansk

Photographs of Gdansk

Friday, 11 March 2011

Imagine Poland, Wroclaw, The Panorama Raclawicka

What an amazing attraction depicting an epic part of Polish history and only a few minutes walk from the centre of Wroclaw. Its location in a small park area next to the River Odra was easy to find.

Wroclaw, The Panorama Raclawicka

The only example of its sort ‘The Panorama of the Battle of Raclawicka’ – the gigantic painting – 114m long and 15m high. It is a unique painting created in such a way that the picture mixes up with the real objects. The composition of the Panorama has such a valour that the spectators cannot distinguish at first glance where the painting ends and the decoration starts.

Wroclaw, The Panorama Raclawicka

This was the aim of its creators – the famous polish painters Jan Styka and Wojciech Kossak who using special artistic techniques alongside the particular lighting, managed to take the viewers into a different world – the battlefield of Raclawicka – the legendary General Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s victory over Russians forces in 1794. The painting was created in the hundreth anniversary of the event - in 1894 to warm the hearts of Poles being still under the Partition. Nowadays still it can be quite rightly described as a polish national pilgrimage centre. It was originally presented in Lwow but after the II World War and the loss of this polish city to the USSR, it was Wroclaw who inherited the painting and struggled with the communists in order to restore it to its former glory and make it public yet again.

Wroclaw, The Panorama Raclawicka

At present, as originally The Panorama of Raclawicka is being displayed in a specially designed rotunda. There are always hordes of visitors there and school groups just like it was many years ago in Lwow. The difference is now multilingual presentation headsets are available at no extra charge for foreign tourists. There are presentations every thirty minutes or so. On our visit the cost was 20zl per adult.

Its another must visit place on your Wroclaw sightseeing map and can be found in the Park Slowackiego by Purkyniego Street.

For more information on the Panorama Raclawicka please visit www.panoramaraclawicka.pl

For more information on Wroclaw visit www.polandtrips.co.uk/historic-wroclaw

Monday, 28 February 2011

Wroclaw, Cafes and Restaurants

One thing certainly not lacking in Wroclaw is a variety of places to eat, the style of cafe's
and restaurants is certainly diverse, from back street cafe's to plush city square restaurants
all with their own character and style with equally appetizing dishes.

Krawozyk Restaurant, Wroclaw

Chatka Przy Jatkach

While in Wroclaw we had many traditional Polish dishes, Bigos (Hunters Stew),

Pierogi (Stuffed Dumplings),Zurek Soup (Rye Soup with Sausage and Egg) and lets

not forget one of my favourites, Potatoe Pancakes also various delicious Polish Sausages,

just mouth watering thinking about them.

All dishes at the places we visited were well presented and amicably served,

also well priced .

Chatka was one place of note, lots of character, very traditional with smiling happy waitresses

and quick service, also a vast array of dishes and on the plus side a menu in English.

Zurek, soup in bread

Several places we visited specialised in sweets, one in particular Cukiernia in the

Market Square had such a choice of mouth watering cakes and sweets you just knew

any thoughts of a slimming diet were futile, the ones we had were superb. Don't just take

my word for it, get on the next flight go there, try them, dissapointed you will not be.

Cukiernia, Superb Sweets and Confectionery

For a delicious pizza Novocaina in the Market Square is the place to go and if its not to

busy and you can manage the spiral staircase one of the best tables is on the first floor

with a view of the Market square, the food we had was terrific and the view superb.

Look at that sweet , how could you resist it, we did'nt

Our dining experiences in Wroclaw were fantastic, great food and service with helpful friendly advice.

Don't hold back, enjoy.

For an in detail explanation of Polish cuisine have a look at Poland Culinary website,

this will tell you everything you need to know.

Useful Links

www.imaginepoland.com

http://www.polandculinaryvacations.com/index.php

Wroclaw, Wikipedia

Monday, 17 January 2011

Imagine Poland, Wroclaw, City Life and People

One of the most interesting of our galleries to photograph is City Life and its People, such a range of characters all with their own purpose, travelling to work, on holiday, street entertainers, shoppers or just strolling through the streets and squares.

City Life in Wroclaw is vibrant at all levels. The students bring joy, love and enthusiasm to everyday life and it’s the students that fill the streets of Wroclaw. The busy traffic free Swidnicka and Olawska streets are packed with crowds of real and window shoppers, tourists and businessmen dashing for the next meeting. As to the public transport the omnipresent in Wroclaw are certainly the blue tramways – made famous in the old polish songs.

Wroclaw, Blue Tram

Apart from the usual traffic there are also many cyclists.

Wroclaw, Rynek Cyclist

The City has an abundance of theatres and cultural and artistic institutions but as if it was not enough it’s renowned for its music festivals and the outdoor events.

Wrocklaw, Tumski Bridge

You can have a laugh at the humour of parody of the communist 1^st May Day Parade. On the other hand there is a beautiful and proud celebration of Poland’s recently introduced national Flag Day.

Wroclaw, Flag Day

There is always something happening in the City of Wroclaw – the Meeting Place.

See more of our City Life and People photographs at www.imaginepoland.com

Wroclaw Useful Information

wikipedia

wroclaw-life

airport,wroclaw

polish cuisine

poland activities and locations

wroclaw street map

Tuesday, 4 January 2011

Imagine Poland, The Churches of Wroclaw

The number of churches in Wroclaw possibly exceeds the average need but it’s just one example of the diversity of the city. The churches vary enormously in their architectural styles, remarkable features, sizes and location as some of them are on the main land and some on the isles.

The Cathedral of St John the Baptist on Ostrow Tumski, Wroclaw

Although the majority are of Roman Catholic Faith, you will find them all neighbouring one another with the Orthodox and Protestants churches and also a Synagogue. Certainly Wroclaw’s churches are worth visiting for seeing both the beautifully decorated interiors, fascinating history and also climbing or in some cases being taken by a lift to the top of the towers to admire the stunning views of the town.

View from the Cathedral of St John the Baptist on Ostrow Tumski, Wroclaw

For the latter ones – particularly advisable are St Elizabeth’s Church in the immediate vicinity to the Rynek, and on the other side of the Market Square –

St Mary Magdalene Church, Wroclaw

the St Mary Magdalene Church with its curious ‘The Witches’ Bridge’ spread among the 2 twin towers of the church, and finally the grand Saint John the Baptist Cathedral.

Church of St Mary on the Sands, Wroclaw

A completely unique ambiance will embrace you while crossing the river to Ostrow Tumski – the historical cradle of Wroclaw, that later became a royal and religious sanctuary. Originally an island – Ostrow Tumski still conserves this special feeling and is home to five amazing churches including the most important above mentioned cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace – a museum at present – with stunning gardens.

Ornate Water Spouts on the Cathedral of St John the Baptist on Ostrow Tumski, Wroclaw

It’s only here that at night you can still stroll on the cobbled lanes among beautifully cut greenery in the light of original gas lamps.

View all our photographs of the churches of Wroclaw at www.imaginepoland.com

Useful Links

Historic Wroclaw, Poland Trips

Wroclaw Map ( Wroclaw Life )

Thursday, 18 November 2010

The Gnomes of Wroclaw

Wroclaw is the meeting place: meeting of new with old, modern with tradition, trendy with old fashioned, industry with culture and art, city with gardens, islands with rivers. The bridges of real and abstract nature seems to be crossing all over the city. Perhaps one of the most unusual of these meetings is that of the tiny fairy tale gnomes. What differs as well is that although it’s possibly the most exciting thing for children this time also adults can see the little creatures. Dating back to what was originally graffiti of Wroclaw’s Orange Alternative movement of the communist era, the little gnomes started to appear in the city in 2005 being the creation of local artist Tomasz Moczek.

A Very Full Gourmet Gnome

The first 32 were commissioned by the City’s Council, the others by local businesses which more than tripled this number. There is even a map available listing all the 123 gnomes and telling their little stories. Now it’s the major tourist attraction as children are looking forward to sightseeing and gnomes hunting in one. The locals give them affectionate glance on the way to work and the gnomes are just doing all sorts of! There are two Sisyphuses pushing the ball,

A Very Sleepy Gnome

the Sleepy guarding the entrance to the Dwarf’s Village, the Football Fan supporting Silesia, the Gourmet who’s eaten too much, the newly wed Mr&Mrs Dwarf, the Cinema Lover, The Prisoner and the Dumpling Eater, the Postman, the Washer on the bank of Odra river and the ones that are leading their lives on the lamp posts.

Gnome with Ball and Chain in Prison

It’s a real challenge to spot them all and it’s a great fun as well - enjoy it! we did.

A useful overview of the City of Wroclaw by Polish Culinary

More information about Wroclaw from Poland Trips

Monday, 13 September 2010

Wroclaw, Flag Day 2010

Flag Day – formally a ‘Flag of the Republic of Poland Day’ since 2004 is annually organised on the 2nd May. The date was chosen to coincide with the ‘Polonia Day’ – celebrated as the reunion day for all the Poles, around 20 millions are now living outside their country. The aim was to help polish people identify themselves again with the national symbols after years of communist regime and teach the young generations about polish symbols and history. Although it is not a public holiday itself, in reality it ends up as being a day off and a national holiday for almost everybody as the National Flag Day celebration falls in between the unfortunate, traditional since communist era 1^st May ‘Labour Day’ – with the working class parade and the 3^rd of May, the ‘Constitution Day’ a very important holiday which was banned until 1990.

Wroclaw Flag Day 2010

Nowadays the polish white and red flag will fly out of the windows for the 3 consecutive days. The 1^st of May is a joyful and weather willing – picnic atmosphere day with possibly a few parody like labour style parades in the cities. The 2^nd of May hosts some lovely, happy and colourful celebrations.

Cyclists at Flag Day Wroclaw

This creates a suitable preparation for the national pride – Polish Constitution Day on the 3^rd of May, when Poland celebrates the creation in 1791 of the first modern constitution in Europe.

Flag Wavers at Flag Day Wroclaw

On our trip to Wroclaw we were lucky enough to not only watch but also to participate in the Flag Day celebrations on the Main Market Square under the rays of sunshine.

Young Flag Wavers at Flag Day Wroclaw

Surrounded obviously by lots of flags - the big ones for the adults and the smaller ones for the children we entered the smiling crowd of celebrating Poles.