Some of the region's lesser known architectural treasures will be opening their doors this weekend for the 8th edition of 'Malopolska Heritage Days'. Castles, monasteries, manor houses and churches are all taking part, and you can pick up a full programme from the Cracow's cultural office at ul. Sw. Jana 2.
For Cracovians, three of the listed sites (the Pauline and Augustinian monasteries in Kazimierz, as well as Tyniec Abbey) will be in walking distance, but if you've got a car, your options are wide open.
A new addition for this year is Korzkiew Castle, an ancient medieval stronghold that has been saved from ruin by a descendent of one of the former owners. It has recently been opened as a hotel, and the interiors have been beautifully furnished. This fortress is on the fringe of the beautiful Ojcowski Park (30 mins from Cracow), where another of this year's chosen landmarks can be found, the former nunnery of the Blessed Salomea at Grodzisko. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for the seventeenth century elephant.
Other treasures included in this year's programme are the Machnicki Manor House in Olkusz, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at Miechow, the wooden church in Owczary and the sublimely beautiful church of St. Philip at Sekowa, which was recently added to the UNESCO list.
|