We had a leisurely start then out to Gossip for breakfast before wandering up up to see St. Florians Gate - built around the 14th century as a rectangular Gothic tower in the city walls this is part of the citys fortifications against Tatar attack - and the Krakw Barbican - a fortified outpost once connected to the city walls.
Wandered back down to the Main Market Square with Saint Marys Basilica and the cloth hall. After a quick browse of the souvenirs we went to look around Rynek Underground museum situated below the market square. This contains remnants of medieval walls, streets and waterworks reconstructions of workshops, the remains of burned settlements, the oldest of which dates from the 11th century. There were also holograms, fog machines and screens to recreate the atmosphere of Krakw 700 years
Back above in the square we went to Wedels chocolate caf and had delicious hot chocolate - I had one with E. Wedel chocolate liqueur and Jamie had a slightly bitter chocolate with orange and ginger! It was still raining with no sign of stopping so we braved the weather and headed down to Wawel Castle passing Saints Peter and Paul Church and St. Andrews
Church on the way. We poked around the castle grounds then headed down through the cave to Dragons Den (Smok Wawelski). This limestone cave has been said to be home to the dragon of Wawel who is related to the mythic beginning of from the turn of the 13th century. The legend goes that Prince Krak rid his people of a dragon devouring both their stock and virgins.
After watching the dragon breath fire (!) we headed over the the Jewish Quarter to wander around and for Jamie to find a menorah for her mum. Our route took in Corpus Christi Church, the Old Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery and the Tempel Synagogue as well as a jewish bookshop where we found a lovely menorah. It was rather heavy so we headed straight back to our hotel room to drop off some bits and pieces and have a cuppa before heading out to find a traditional restaurant for an early supper. We walked around the square & nerarby streets looking at the menus (again I was drawn to the Georgian place!) and ended up at Staropolska Karczma. This was an excellent choice - we both had potato
pancakes with beef gulasch and shared sides of homemade potato dumplings and grilled vegetables, I also has a Polish Mojito (vodka instead of rum!)
We returned to the hostel so Jamie could pack up & we could get to the train statrion with plenty of time for her to get to the airport for her flight to Croatia.... but thats another adventure and hers to tell.
