Kazimierz

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Monhegan seems to be American's version of Kazimierz. Kazimierz Dolny sits next to a large bend in the Wisla river. There are several large hills which have castle ruins on the top.

When I was a kid during a few summers I went to a camp in New Hampshire. One activity at camp was boat "building and bombing" which was only offered once per 4 weeks. Over a couple hours we'd build wood boats and carefully set them to sail in Lake Winnepessakee. Then we'd throw rocks at them until they were no more than flotsum. It seemed like a violent activity, but I have to admitt it was fun. It seems that castles were once the objects of this same destruction as most I saw were rebuilt numorous times over the past 500 years.

It was overcast when we were there, but the sun did poke out for us a little bit. This is known as an artist town rich with history; I saw several paintings of the town in the national galleries. J.F.Piwarski, Wojciech Gerson, Aleksander Gierymski, Josef Pankiewicz, Ferdynand Ruszczyc, and Wladyslaw Slewinski painted here. To me I think Gdansk or Warsaw is better subject matter, but if I were born there I'd have different eyes perhaps. The town was destroyed in WWI and rebuilt and soon after became a favorite day trip for tourists and locals. I found it hard to get english information, but here's more information if needed.


Train ride to Piotrkow; it took two hours.


Kazimierz Dolny viewed from the cylinder shaped tower above the town. It cost about 3 bits to climb to the top. The building in the middle is the ruins of the Castle; I think the Swedes got credit for destoying it first.


Wisla river just north of town. Notice the stone size.


This is one of the main streets going into the town center.


This is where we bought a piece of bread that was cooked into the shape of a bird... kinda turkey shaped. It cost about 75 cents.


This is the ferry stop that would shuttle cars, bikes, people accross the Wisla. The ferry was belt or cable driven. It cost about $3 to cross.


Ruins of the castle above the town.


Ruins of the larger castle called, Janowiec, on the other side of the Wisla. This one had a very nice view of the flat farm lands.


Statue of Pope John Paul II in Piotrkow (picture taken after our trip to Kizimierz).


The Guardian of the Wisla. Toad found looking over the Wisla. This was 100% candid. This type of toad seems to be most common and was one of 3 I saw this day.


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