Many countries have memorials to fallen heros, and stories of bravery from wartime. Czechia is unusual in that it has heros from both sides of World War II.
Tag: Poland
Did you know that Poland has one of the fastest growing GDPs in the world? That they dodged recession when the world was reeling after the banking crisis a few years ago? That they have one of the most prosperous countries in Europe?
I have to confess I did not know much about Poland. I knew of Lech Walesa and Solidarnosc because that was in the news when the Iron Curtain collapsed.
But I am ashamed to say that I knew little other than this.
From my trips there, I see Poland is a vibrant modern country with lots to offer. The countryside is spectacular and I’m told that the Baltic coast is worth visiting. (Even if my roots make me wonder if any coast line could compare to the Med!). The cities of Warsaw and Krakow are clear signs of a stable country and of a people that is doing well.
My first trip to Poland was to Krakow. There is plenty to see and do but more than a few days in the city and you run out of options as it isn’t that large. Being so close to the salt mines and to Auschwitz is helpful though.
I visited Warsaw – and regretted not having enough time to explore more of it. It is a cosmopolitan city, spread out and beautiful in its own way. I felt at home in and I can imagine myself living there.
Maybe some day …
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I grew up with a Mediterranean-centric view of history, so I’m fascinated by stories of Central and Eastern Europe. Learning them for the first time is part of the fun. Weaving the thread of history through the ages is incredible. This article describes the beginning of the region now called Moravia, in eastern Czechia.
While travelling overland across Europe, it’s easy to enjoy the scenery and hospitality without a second thought to horrific acts which took place over the centuries. We often don’t realise how special our generation is to live in a Europe where there hasn’t been a major war in over 70 years.
The criminals who built Frydberk ? castle terrorised the Bohemian countryside in mediaeval times. Conquered, plundered, turned into a ? brewery and then the Church built a place of worship out of its tower. This is the castle’s amazing story ?
We can only identify ancient civilisations by what they leave behind. It sounds obvious to say this in the absence of written records. Archeologists alsoRead More
I’ve written plenty of articles about the effects of the 30 Years’ war on Prague and Czechia in general. I knew bits and pieces of the story so I decided to put all my research into a larger article to put things into context.
Driving through Bohemia heading to (or from) Poland means driving through some beautiful landscapes. If you’re looking for a pit stop but don’t want a faceless motorway cafe, I’d recommend a quick diversion to the quaint town of Jičin.
The snow melted into my boots, making me shiver. I was standing at a tram stop a few minutes away from one of the highestRead More
Legends about mermaids have persisted throughout the ages and in various cultures. I wonder what it was about fish that made people think that aRead More
In Warsaw, everything is relaxed. Rebuilt after the War, the city gleams with a shine that comes from being polished to within an inch of its life. The carefullyRead More