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Post by pawian on Jan 1, 2016 20:28:39 GMT
Most cities and towns in Poland were built in accordance with old medieval settlement laws, with the main square located in the very centre. Even when the centres got ruined during wars, especially WW2, they were usually rebuilt more or less the same as before. Warsaw goes first as the capital. The Old Town was almost completely destroyed during WW2, and the rebuilding continued till 1970s when they finished the Royal Castle. The view of 1945 Views over a few years. Warsaw Mermaid, city`s coat-of-arms Street musicians Cars are forbidden in the square Defence walls and barbican Unfortunately, walking on top of walls is prohibited The monument to Little Insurgent Posh restaurant menu with posh prices Souvenirs from Warsaw - Warsaw Mermaid statue, Little Insurgent statue, Palace of Culture and Science, King Sigismund III column, Chopin monument Amber jewellery This shop with metal ornaments near the Royal Castle is especially dear to me. I visited it in 1983 when I went to Warsaw on a school trip. We bought there a few metal crowned eagle badges. Eagle is a symbol of Poland but in communist times it was deprived of the crown. Selling such badges at the time was a bit illegal. Royal Castle Swedish troops occupied Warsaw in 17 century
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Post by californian on Jan 10, 2016 22:12:00 GMT
Very nice post Pawan, I remember hearing from the guide how the city was reconstructed copying old pictures. The WWII pictures are horrible, what a devastation, incredible that was rebuilt in only 25 or so short years. I loved the city of Posnan as well, although I don't know if it had as much damage as Warsaw. Thank you for posting them, I would love to go back someday.
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Post by tiffany on Jan 14, 2016 12:34:23 GMT
Thanks for sharing Pawian. I’ll be stopping in Warsaw this fall as part of the Eastern Europe tour I’m going on. I’m looking forward to visiting this city!
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Post by plane2catch on Jan 14, 2016 12:58:58 GMT
Tiffany, I took Trafalgar's Highlights of Eastern Europe trip years ago and really enjoyed my time in Poland. I remember seeing Dachau back in 1980 and found the concentration camps to be horrific in Poland. The displays of thousands of pairs of shoes and eye glasses of former prisoners was so difficult to see. Especially, when you knew their fate. I suppose it is good to be a witness of such atrocities but I would have been just as happy to hide my head in the sand and skipped those visits. On a lighter note, I was in awe of all the work that went into the Salt Mine's underground Chapel. Hope you get to see it. Does your trip visit Krakow in addition to Warsaw? What month are you going in?
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Post by tiffany on Jan 14, 2016 13:07:44 GMT
Hi plane2catch, I’m glad you enjoyed this tour when you did it years ago. I’m not sure if I will go on the optional tour to Dachau. Part of me thinks I should go, as it’s a part of history, but another part of me thinks it will be too depressing. I’ll decide when I get there.
I’m looking forward to visiting the Salt Mines while on that tour. I have not started reading much about the trip yet, but will do so in the next month or so. I bought the Eye Witness Travel book on Eastern Europe, and as I’ve been to Berlin and Vienna before, I already have books for German and Austria which I will read again.
Yes, we are going to both Krakow and Warsaw. I’m looking forward to visiting both cities, but I’m really looking forward to visiting Prague. Everyone I know who’s been there says it’s their favourite city in the world!
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Post by tiffany on Jan 14, 2016 13:14:47 GMT
I was just looking at the tour itinerary, and it would appear that they no longer offer the optional to Dachau, so I guess I won’t be going there after all.
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Post by californian on Jan 14, 2016 15:59:28 GMT
Tiffany, I think the optional is/was to Auschwitz which is very close to Krakow , not Dachau. And yes, is very hard, very emotional day. I watched yesterday an episode (probably old) of Globe Trotter, thru the western south and north of Poland, very interesting, many other cities suffered the same devastation and have been rebuilt as well. I don't think is in the cards, but I would love to see more of Poland some day. Have fun with the planning.
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Post by tiffany on Jan 15, 2016 13:13:06 GMT
The tour does go to Auschwitz, so it's probably an included visit. I need to re-read the itinerary again soon. I've just been so busy lately, there hasn't been time. Hopefully I'll be able to focus on this trip in the next couple of weeks.
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Post by pawian on Jan 29, 2016 21:24:56 GMT
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Post by Owen on Feb 11, 2019 10:45:39 GMT
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