A Grave on a Hill: The Kopiec Krakusa
The city of Krakow has its own origin story – and it’s a good one.
What a Craic!
Fáilte! Happy St. Paddy’s Day from Flannery and me! Last weekend, Americans painted the streets and, if you’re in Chicago, the river green. If you’re anything like the people I know, you’ll do it all over again this afternoon. Or this morning. Today, no one will judge you for putting …
I Climbed that Mountain High
Bielsko-Biała, in addition to having an adorable texiles museum, also boasts another great attraction: a mountain. I mean, who doesn’t love a good mountain? When I was researching Bielsko-Biała, I came across an ad for Szyndzielnia, the mountain and winter wonderland of south western Poland, but I forgot about it …
“The Rising Forged Our Character”: The Warsaw Rising Museum
March 1st was a memorial day of sorts in Poland. On that day, Poles remember the soldiers – or the fighters, depending on your point of view – of the Armia Krajowa (arm-ee-ah krai-oh-vah), or the Home Army. First things first: you have to understand what the Armia Krajowa, or …
Time to Make the Fabric
This part of Europe has long been known for its cloth production. In fact, up until the late 19th century, this was the place to buy textiles. In the 18th century, weavers were still considered craftsmen and were a part of a guild (a type of union that dates from …
Meet Me at the Church
By now, it’s no secret that I love Kraków. I also love a good piece of art, and I love Jesus. Put those three together and what do you get? Cracovian churches! Every time I’m in Kraków, I wander into a different church, just to poke around a bit. When …
Calories Don’t Count on Pączki Day
Despite the fact that we don’t do the twelve-course Christmas dinner, I grew up in a Polish house. We may not have spoken Polish, but I knew all about babushkas, pierogi, and St. Joseph. Perhaps most importantly, I knew all about pączki. Every year on Fat Tuesday, my dad would …
It’s My Shout!: Beer Culture in Poznań
Poland’s proud beer culture in the heart of Wielkopolska
Come for the Goats, Stay for the Croissants: The Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania
The fighting goats of Poznań in all their glory, with rogali świętomarciński in hand
The Kraków Underground: The Podziemia Rynku
One of the coolest museums in Kraków is actually under Kraków