All Saint's Day in Krakow
You might have noticed today that almost all the shops are closed, extra trams are running to the cemeteries, and it seems the entire city is bathed in a sombre mood (the weather seems to be helping in that as well). For those that are confused, today is All Saints Day (also called All Souls Day) in Poland and throughout most of the Catholic world. Every year, the first two days of November means days off work and school and time spent with family.
In Krakow, every cemetery is alight with candles, and gravestones are adorned with fresh flowers and wreathes. It's definitely worth a trip to Krakow's largest cemetery, Rakowicki Cemetery, just to marvel at the sea of candlelight. Traditionally, Poles will visit the graves of close and sometimes distant relatives, to light candles, leave flowers, or even just to say a prayer and remember the dead. Even if you don't have any relatives buried in Polish soil, you can nevertheless visit some of Krakow's cemeteries, marvel at the lights, and think of your own family members on this All Saints Day.