The streets were nearly empty. During any other year, this popular Polish city is usually very busy and filled with tourists, but when I visited, it felt like a ghost town. It is the second largest city in Poland, as well as one of the oldest cities in the country and dates as far back as the 7th century. From the ghetto, they were sent to Auschwitz and other nearby German extermination camps where brutality and mass executions took place.
The other street names were transformed from Polish names, to German names as well. It was nice to come back to the city after a couple weeks and have a sense of familiarity while walking around and discovering more as well. If you are coming from Warsaw, it will take just under 2. This state of the art train station has been transformed into a mall, train station and major shopping haven for locals and tourists alike. T his smaller and much more quiet market square dates back to the year and is the perfect place to relax and people watch.
Nice, huh? What once was a major centre of international trade, the Sukiennice, or Cloth Hall, was home to travelling merchants that would meet there to discuss business and to barter. Nowadays, the Sukiennice is home to loads of vendors selling things like trinkets and souvenirs.
The colours within the church are mind blowing as well. The wooden altarpiece within the cathedral, is the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world. It was carved between and by the German sculptor Veit Stoss and in , during Nazi Germany occupation, the dismantled altarpiece was shipped to the Third Reich. It was then recovered in , after being hidden in the basement of Nuremberg Castle along with other valuables. The intricate altar underwent major restoration work in Poland and was put back in its place at the Basilica 10 years later.
The older brother was supposed to build the south tower, while the younger brother was to build the north tower. Initially, construction went on as planned and their towers were quite similar. He then proceeded to finish the north tower, which is the taller tower.
