After a gorgeous and sunny day yesterday it is back to rather miserable cold and rainy weather. So I am sitting inside, drinking a hot tea and writing my next flashback blog. About Kraków (Krakau) and Breslau (both during winter and summer) + the unbelievable history of Auschwitz & Birkenau.
Read about my second trips to Breslau and Kraków here. It was also in Winter, but one year later, February 2019, while on my second skiing trip. And see some comparison photos in winter and summer below!
After my skiing days in Slovakia (this year, Feb 2018) my roadtrip continued on a journey through Poland. And also this was my first trip back since returning to Germany, I will be back in Poland many more times (even before I wrote this blog post). During summer and at my cousin’s wedding.
On this trip, my friend wanted to see Auschwitz & Birkenau as well, although I have been there a few times before. My first time in Winter though and it still gives me goosebumps.
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Auschwitz & Birkenau State Museum
After the arctic cold snap the temperatures went to a normal -8 degrees Celsius by the time I arrived at the Auschwitz & Birkenau concentration camp site. However given open and outdoor areas I felt the cold the worst that day and this winter. The wind had a chill to it that made the whole day even more chilling.
What is there to say about Auschwitz & Birkenau? Visiting this camp site (KL Auschwitz was the largest of the German Nazi concentration camps and extermination centers) is always very confrontational. However if you want to understand what happened in WWII it is a interesting place to visit. And although I did briefly consider if I should mention it in my blog (it’s not a nice history to remember after all), but it is still part of history and Europe. In addition, it always feels so close to my polish roots.
None of my previous family members were in the camp during the war, however my grandma used to tell me many stories about her war experiences when she was just 11 years old.
If you want to read more about the camp visit their official site. In my photos you will see just how it is there. You can’t make that place look pretty. Besides, the cold winter day also added to the coldness and emptiness of the area. It gives me goosebumps every time I am there.
Kraków in Winter
The next day Kraków (Krakau) was mildly warmer and sunny. I did a lot of steps walking around the city, eating polish cuisine and taking in more history. From the Schindler’s Factory (definitely a must see), the amazing Dome, the ghetto walls and the hip student area, Kraków is a great place to see.
The previous cold snap was best illustrated by the fact that the longest river in Poland, the Wisła river (or Vistula in english) was fully frozen. Amazing! I was literally able to walk on it. Carefully of course, it was my first frozen river walk. Who says you can’t walk on water?! And how cool is the concrete bike?
But as with many of the poorer countries and the cities, in contrast to the pretty inner centre, there are plenty of streets and buildings that are still very run down and in need of some care. I like taking photos of those too, as it is realistic. In addition, in Winter, every town feels more naked as the trees and the parks are missing their colours. It looks very different in summer!
So when you plan a trip to Kraków, maybe visit in Spring or Summer. There is plenty to see and do, from culture, history to coffee shops and hip bars. Above all, Kraków is close to my polish family. And that is always a good reason to come back to!
And I did! In summer to catch up with my gorgeous friend from Australia! I love Kraków (Krakau).
Kraków in Summer with my friend
Wrocław (Breslau)
Finally and before heading back to Germany to see Berlin, and other spots (read more here), I made a quick stop in Wrocław (Breslau). And as much as I think it is a superb and great city to visit, I found it rather disappointing and without charm during winter. So I didn’t stay long. It was very cold.
As mentioned before, Wrocław also has the pretty side and the not so pretty side. And it’s no fun walking around when it’s freezing.
That said it seems like it is only a matter of time (and EU money) before it changes. But for now, goodbye Poland. Until the next time!
And… to my surprise…
Afterword 2019: I did go back to Breslau twice more (read more here). Once in winter as well, with my uncle who work and lives nearby so is therefore a local, and the second time in summer (see summer photos below). And I learned to love this city! What a stunning, colourful and vibrant city Breslau is. I absolutely loved it! And I am sure you will too! So go and visit!
See the photo difference below … winter vs. summer.
