• Deb and I arrived several days before the tour to take some time to settle and see Krakow.  Deb was the historian for the trip, as she had read Rick Steve's book.  I relied on her to guide me to interesting sights and she was up to the task.

    These are some of the photos from before the tour started.

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     New Jewish Cemetery

  • RIGHT:  Deb steered us to the pottery shops recommend by Steves. They did not disappoint and we both walked away with some treasures.

     

     

    LEFT:  I took many photos of Uber Eats - on motorcycle, bike and walking - few were successful. 

  • RIGHT:  Getting cool Krakow style.

    LEFT:  Interesting architectural detail

  • Deb's research took us to Jagiellonian University founded in 1364.  On November 6, 1939, two months after Poland was occupied by the Germans, the professors both active and retired were summoned to the university to meet with the Germans in room 66 (currently 56). The pretense of the meeting was to a lecture on German plans for Polish education.  Then 184 academics including 105 professors arrested and were deported to Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps.

    The scientific community from around the world worked to get the academics released. In February 1940, 101 professors over 40 were released.  By that time approximately 15 had already died and another 5 died shortly after their release.

    Behind the university is a lovely garden with plackets telling the story of these professors.  Like so many times on this trip, I have no photographs  to include.  The story of these professors so captivated me, I didn't think to take a photo.  Other times, especially in the buildings of Auschwitz, I simply couldn't lift my camera...it felt too invasive to  the poor souls forced into those horrible conditions.