After having just stood in Kraków's enormous main market square--the same place where Nazis had marched triumphantly in 1939--I found this photo both amazing and mysterious: what in heaven's name was going on?
Christine soon had the answer: the crowd, dressed in white, had assembled after the failed assassination of Pope John Paul II in May 1981. It's probably safe to say he was the most significant Polish figure to emerge in the 20th century and his photo is perhaps even more ubiquitous than JFK's once was in America. Religion definitely trumps politics in Poland if the size of this crowd and number of churches are any indication.
When visiting Kraków, where Karol Józef Wojtyła spent much of his life before being elected Pope, he stayed at the Bishop's Palace. His image now adorns the entrance.
Basilica of St. Mary
The Gothic church where Poles have worshipped since the 14th century also can be seen in the top photo at the left.
Visitors are directed to a side entrance.
I can't recall ever seeing a more ornate church interior.
Church of St. Barbara
Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
I recognized Veronica from my trip to Sante Fe in June.
Church of Sts. John the Baptist & John the Evangelist
Other Churches
More Poland
Gdansk:
Kraków:
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