Poland. It was our warm-up. Warsaw's huge, idyllic Łazienki Park is sprinkled with Neoclassical buildings, peacocks, and young Poles in love. So it hurts only once. Jump to bottom. Up to a thousand were packed into each of these buildings. It's free to reserve, but spaces book up very early. Explore Europe with Rick Steves, best-selling travel author and host of public television's "Rick Steves' Europe" and public radio's "Travel with Rick Steves." Season 10 Episode 1006 | 25m 2s | Video has closed captioning. Ghetto Heroes Square — now surrounded by bland Soviet-style apartment blocks — marks the heart of what was the Jewish ghetto. Thanks for joining us. If you think you're good at chess, challenge one of these guys. While Warsaw was in the sphere of Moscow and therefore more Eastern and conservative, Kraków has long been more Western and liberal. Written and hosted by best-selling guidebook author Rick Steves, each half-hour show takes viewers to Europe's most interesting places, from great cities to off-the-beaten-path discoveries. A few buildings survive. You'll explore this unique gallery — learning both about the art and about medieval mining techniques — on a required tour. With the expectation of help from Soviet tanks which were gathering just across the river, it seemed like the right time to attack. Krakow, with its bubbly Baroque and cobbled charm, is emerging as the exciting "next Prague." Traders passing through were required to stop for a few days and sell their goods at a discount. The gas chambers — where the mass killing was done — were disguised as showers. In the Middle Ages, this was where the cloth sellers had their market stalls. Paperback $19.21 $ 19. Watch Rick Steves' Europe - Season 4, Episode 10 - Salzburg and Surroundings: Rick visits the birthplace of Mozart and explores the delightful romantic town of Hallstatt. Rate. 4. Chat about your favorite shows. Rick: I'm ready. Sevilla does festivals with gusto. Guide: The total number of chapels in this mine is over 20. Pope John Paul II was a hometown boy and served right here as archbishop of Kraków before being called to Rome. You'll see legends from the days of King Kazimierz, when one-third of Poland's income came from these precious deposits: the famous astronomer Copernicus, and even the region's favorite son, Pope John Paul II. Because the Nazis leveled the ghetto, there is literally nothing left except the street plan, some monuments, and the heroic spirit of its former residents. The Nazis began moving people out at the rate of 5,000 a day to nearby death camps like Auschwitz. Its outskirts sprawl with Communist-built apartment blocks. A monument to Fryderyk Chopin, Poland's great Romantic composer, graces the park's rose garden. But locals cherish the thought that Chopin's inspiration came from memories of wind blowing through the willow trees of his native land, Poland. Each inmate had an ID number, a barrack number, and a bed number. the Mongols — swept in from Asia and destroyed Kraków. Halls are lined with photographs of victims, each marked with dates of arrival and dates of death — inmates rarely survived more than a couple of months. This square is where Kraków lives…kids practice breakdancing, horse carriages take you for a ride, and folk bands add traditional color. I can't imagine how cold they must have been…wet, hungry, and dressed in rags. Birkenau is on a much bigger scale and mostly outdoors, with the infamous guard tower, a vast field with ruins of barracks, a few tourable rough barracks, the notorious "dividing platform," a giant monument flanked by remains of destroyed crematoria, and a prisoner processing facility called "the Sauna.". For centuries, generations of Wieliczka miners spent their daylight hours underground, rarely seeing the sun. Resilient Krakovians took this opportunity to rebuild their city with a near-perfect grid plan — a striking contrast to the narrow, mazelike lanes of most medieval towns. by Rick Steves and Cameron Hewitt | Jun 19, 2012. I mean it's just like…wow! The small houses are traditionally used by three generations at the same time. Poland's two must-see cities are Warsaw and Kraków. The colorful architecture reminds locals and tourists alike of the prewar glory of the Polish capital. 9 Oct. 2004 Highlights of Paris. All the full length Rick Steves Europe PBS Episodes that I could find. Deep beneath the ground, the mine is filled with sculptures that miners have lovingly carved out of the salt. While the 1944 Warsaw Uprising is a recurring theme in virtually all Warsaw sightseeing, two sights in particular are worth a visit for anyone with a special interest: The Warsaw Uprising Monument (at plac Krasinskich) and the thorough, modern Warsaw Uprising Museum (inconveniently located a 10-minute tram ride west of the central train station — but well worth the trip for history buffs). His scribes bragged "Kazimierz found Poland made of wood, and left it made of brick and stone" — he even made it onto the 50-złoty note. It's close to every Polish heart. 9. It's Wawel, and Poland actually begins in Wawel. Dzień dobry. 75% of its nearly 40 million people are practicing Catholics. Train tracks lead efficiently past the main building, into the camp, and to the dividing platform. The neighborhood of Kazimierz, 20 minutes by foot southeast of Kraków's Old Town, is the historic heart of Kraków's once-thriving Jewish community. The Nazis didn't like this inefficiency, so they built a far bigger camp two miles away. Barcelona and Catalunya. Stop the car…get out…enjoy an intimate look at Poland's welcoming country life. Back then, parents announced that their daughters were now eligible by getting out the paint. To really focus on klezmer as an art form, pay a bit more to attend a concert, performed most summer nights in several synagogues (for the latest lineup, check for fliers around town, or ask at any tourist information office). The castle long served as a royal palace. Kraków remains the country's political, economic, intellectual, industrial — oh man, I'm almost there. If he pointed to the right, the prisoner marched — unknowingly — directly to the gas chamber. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the Best of Europe. The resilience of Poland's culture and the warmth of its people inspire me. The city's history is rich, its sights are fascinating, and the prices are some of Europe's lowest. Today it’s busy not with miners, but with tourists. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Poland. This time we're in Poland with such a rich history and a promising future. Rick Steves TV Episodes. So if all you want is the best of Poland, this compact Snapshot guide delivers everything you'll need to know — for about half the price and half the bulk. In the Middle Ages, this was the place where cloth-sellers had their market stalls. Virtually everything you see is rebuilt. YEAR PRODUCED 2003. "Auschwitz" actually refers to a series of several camps in Poland — most importantly Auschwitz I, in the village of Oświęcim (50 miles west of Kraków), and Auschwitz II, a.k.a. 2. Now what? Vodka, after it's chilled properly, pours thickly into the glass. Rate. Rick: So, vodka has long been part of Polish culture? Auschwitz II, or Birkenau, was a vast factory of death holding 100,000 people. 30. Old world charm is how I would describe it. This exquisite Gothic polyptych — an altarpiece with pivoting panels — was carved in the late 1400s by Veit Stoss. You’ll see legends from the days of King Kazimierz, when one-third of Poland’s income came from these precious deposits: the famous astronomer Copernicus, and even the region’s favorite son, Pope John Paul II. Rick: Yeah. In the 13th century the Tartars — a.k.a. Perhaps the best way to enjoy that is at a klezmer dinner concert. The Germans bombed the sprawling gassing and cremation facilities as they retreated. When the tour’s over a small but industrial-strength lift beams you up. To get away from the tourists' Kraków, bike or hike around the Planty and up the park that lines the Vistula River. Rick Steves' Europe is public television's most-watched, longest-running travel series. Catholicism defines the Poles, holding them together when nothing else could. Complete Video Script. The Nazis arrived in 1939. Eventually Kraków's power waned. Everything here, including the ornate altar and the grand chandelier, is hewn from this underworld of salt. Only 1 left in stock - order soon. Rick: Na zdrowie. Go 1,000 feet underground in the vast Wieliczka Salt Mine, near Kraków, to tour the inactive mine and see the statues and chapels the religious miners carved out of the black salt over the centuries. St. Mary's Church faces Kraków's marvelous Market Square. As we ramble through the heart of Rome, we'll admire breathtaking Bernini statues and ponder sunbeams inside St. Peter's Basilica. The charm of today's Kraków lies in its medieval roots. The big, round defensive fort standing outside the wall is a barbican. Are you ready? Today, as you explore, it's hard to imagine that by 1945 nearly two-thirds of the city's prewar population was dead, and not a building was standing in Warsaw's "Old" Town. Rate. We'll visit its historic capital, Kraków, side trip to a salt mine, and to a concentration camp, then head for Poland's modern capital, Warsaw. Hunger and Hope: Lessons from Ethiopia and Guatemala. Through all this, the Soviets sat here, across the river. Up to 700 people at a time could be gassed, but it required two days to burn that many bodies here. And nestled in the center of all this utilitarian concrete are plenty of urban charms. While Poles and Jews managed to live together relatively well, the story became a nightmare with the rise of Nazism in the 1930s. Tour Account › Travel Forum › Home / Travel Forum / Poland; Please sign in to post. Eyeglasses evoke how individuality was trashed. And learning from this country's recent past, I'm reminded we have much to be thankful for and much to be vigilant against. Kraków grew wealthy from trade in the 12th century. To show their…gratitude…the people of Warsaw nicknamed it "Stalin's penis.". Several powerful museums are dedicated to telling the story. The highlight of the entire castle complex is the cathedral. Kaisa: Do you know how to drink vodka? Rick Steves' Europe. The camp monument represents gravestones and the chimney of a crematorium. Wawel Hill is sacred ground to the Polish people — a symbol of Polish royalty and independence. Kraków, Poland. This is the oldest chapel in this part of the salt mine, Saint Anthony chapel from 17th century. Some come to worship and others to remember leading figures in Polish history, such as Kazimierz the Great. Rick Steves' Europe. We are planning to have 2 nights at Krakow and 1 day trip to Auschwitz. Back then you couldn't just sell things anywhere. Rate. As Polish and Jewish culture mingled here for so many centuries, it's hard to distinguish between Jewish and Polish cuisine. Go 1,000 feet underground in the vast Wieliczka Salt Mine, near Kraków, to tour the inactive mine and see the statues and chapels the religious miners carved out of the black salt over the centuries. Every country's had its ups and downs. Fixed iFrame Width: in pixels px Height: in pixels px. Thankfully, these are good times for Poland. (The Nazis didn't want a panic.) It was here that families from all over Europe were torn apart forever. Most of all, Kazimierz was remembered for being a tolerant and progressive king. When built, in the 13th century, this was the biggest square in medieval Europe. It's vast: nine levels…1000 feet deep…over a hundred miles of tunnels. Guide: The total number of chapels in this mine is over 20. Nearby, a visit to Auschwitz teaches us a timeless, soul … It’s vast: nine levels…1000 feet deep…over a hundred miles of tunnels. Kaisa: Ok, first of all, na zdrowie (toast). Crowds got you down? Now he owns the Jazz Club U Muniaka, and jams regularly here in a mellow cellar. For centuries, generations of Wieliczka miners spent their daylight hours underground, rarely seeing the sun. See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick's guidebooks. The cathedral interior is slathered in Baroque memorials and tombs, decorated with tapestries, and soaked in Polish history. They watched, and waited. The Jewish cemeteries of Kazimierz were defiled by the Germans, bulldozed by Nazi tanks. Kazimierz the Great and his predecessors gradually surrounded the cathedral with some 20 chapels, which were further modified over the centuries — making this beautiful church a happy hodgepodge of styles. People were given hooks to hang their clothes on, conned into thinking they were coming back. Rick: Show me. 5. Check your local listings for air dates. Travel with Rick on this video guide to the Czech Republic and find out what to do on your next trip. Kasia: Let's go to a very special place. Several eateries on ulica Szeroka offer klezmer music, typically starting between 19:00 and 20:00. When the tour's over a small but industrial-strength lift beams you up. After they were killed, everything of value was sorted and warehoused. It provided extra protection at the town's main gate. It began as a simple, stripped-down Romanesque church in the 12th century. Why don't you sip it? My friend and fellow tour guide, Kasia Derlicka, is joining us to be sure we get things just right. One of Europe's most gasp-worthy public spaces, it bustles with life. Take me as example, I’m 65 years old and I’m still fresh, still young. By 1944, as the Soviet Army drew near, it was becoming clear the Nazis' days in Warsaw were numbered. 21 $25.00 $25.00. 10. Join Rick as he explores the most surprising and fascinating land he's ever visited - Iran. This uniquely eclectic church is the product of centuries of haphazard additions…yet somehow, it works. Compared to the rest of Europe, Polish churches are alive with people practicing their faith. Warsaw — pronounced "var-SHA-va" in Polish— is Poland's capital and biggest city. People were told they'd be starting new lives and to bring luggage — clearly labeled with their names. 8.2 (11) 0. Travel with Rick on this video guide to Prague, Czech Republic and find out what to do on your next trip. Terms of Service | Privacy, Kraków, Poland: Countryside and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Kraków, Poland: Rich History, Vibrant Culture, Warsaw, Poland: Heroes, Memorials, and Restoration, Poland Rediscovered: Kraków, Auschwitz, and Warsaw. With Rick Steves. Enjoying the highlights of Poland, we'll visit its grand cultural center, Kraków, make a pilgrimage to Poland's holiest site, remember the horrors of Auschwitz, descend into a magical salt mine, feel the jazzy beat, be inspired by WWII heroics, slam down a Polish tradition…. I'm Rick Steves. During the partition in the 19th century, we didn't even show on the map but we survived — thanks to being Polish, and thanks to being Catholics. Start a New Topic. FREE Shipping by Amazon . Please suggest what else can we do/see in other 2 days? keywords On a balmy summer night, Kazimierz's main square, ulica Szeroka, is filled with the haunting strains of klezmer — traditional Jewish music from 19th-century Poland, generally with violin, string bass, clarinet, and accordion. Get it as soon as Wed, Jul 8. S3, Ep6. Kaisa: You can chase it. This thriving Jewish community — like most in Europe — was decimated during the Holocaust. With a million and a half visitors each year, Auschwitz struggles with crowd control. It's also the city's edgy, hipster culture center — jammed with colorful bars, creative eateries, and designer boutiques. Glasgow: Gritty Industry and Feisty Scottish Culture, Neuschwanstein: “Mad” King Ludwig’s Castle in Bavaria. 3. Kraków emerged from World War II virtually unscathed — it slumbered under communism until Poland won its freedom in 1989. 13. After a three-hour train ride from Kraków, we arrive in Warsaw. With Rick Steves. They poured out of the sewers and caught the Nazis off-guard, initially having great success. Na zdrowie. If you don’t trust me you can taste it. These buildings a bed number and folk bands add traditional color this memorial levels…1000 feet deep…over a hundred miles tunnels! Ruled Poland from Kraków, rick steves poland episode, and brutally put down the Warsaw.... 'S unique and practically obligatory if you do n't trust me you can taste.... 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