Katherine and I decided to leave Krakow, although with so much going on, it was difficult to pull ourselves away. However, we "soldiered on" and headed southwest to Wroclaw in Lower Silesia.
Wroclaw is an engaging, cosmopolitan city with one of the country's largest and liveliest central squares. Evern though the Poles have been present here for more that 1,000 years a complicated succession through the centuries saw Silesia go from Polish rule to Bohemian, Austrian, Prussian and German. It reverted back to Polish hands following the destruction of Nazi Germany in WWII. We enjoyed our brief visit here. Although it was extensively damaged during WWII, it has bounced back after the Communists departed in 1989. The heart of the city is a beautifully restored central square - the Rynek - dominated by the Town Hall, the Ratusz.
Town Hall. One of Poland's largest and most awe-inspiring town halls, it was build in the late 13th century. It was one of the few buildings that survived WWII.
The town has adopted the elf as a town centurian. There are 200 little bronze elves in the city. We managed to find a few.
The Plac Solny, the former salt market, is now an enormous flower market with food halls lining the sides of the square.
Cathedral Island.(Ostrow Tumski)
The name is slightly misleading since it's not an island, but is is on the opposite side of the Odra River from the Rynek. This is the spiritual heart of the city and where Wroclaw was founded 1,000 years ago. Today, it is the home to several churches. The lanes and handsome buildings are timeless. The Cathedral is a masterpiece that dates from the 13th century. It was lovingly reconstructed after the war when it was almost entirely destroyed.
CZESTOCHOWA
Jason Gora Monastery, the home of the "Miraculous Painting of Our Lady" or shortened to the "Black Madonna". The monastery, which is a Pauline Monastery, is an impressive sight. The first Pauline monks started coming here form Hungary in the 14th century. On several occasions throughout the centuries, the monastery successfully fought of attacks from Swedish and Austrian invaders, (attributed in large part to what are believed to be the powers of the Black Madonna).
Millions of pilgrims come here to see the monastery's miracle-working pride and joy. For Catholics the crowds are more than Lourdes and just below the Vatican.
The Cathedral is dazzling . Each room is a mixture of Gothic,Renaissance, and baroque styles. The Icon's setting, the ornate Chapel of the Holy Virgin Mary is in Gothic style.
Authorship of the painting is attributed to St Luke. The painting is said to have mede its way through the centuries from the Holy Lands to Constantinople, Ukraine, and finally to Czestochowa in 1382. The painting was partially damaged by Hussite (Protestant) fighters in the 15th century - you can see the slash of a knife on the side of the Virgin's face. It is said to have miraculous powers. Pilgrims from all over the world travel her to pay homage.
The wedding of Lucy Chapman Brailey and Jon Brailey
Katherine and I were invited to a wonderful wedding in a small town in rural southern France. The wedding was on July 7th - the first weekend that we were in Krakow. We flew to Paris, took a train to Potiers, and then a car to the small town of Confolens. We left Krakow on Friday morning, July 6th, and arrived in the picturesque town of Confolens. The weather was fabulous and Lucy and Jon's celebration for the weekend. We had dinner with friends and family at La Vienne - wonderful coq a vin. The air was festive, and Lucy had written a poem for Jon.
The wedding was at Eglise Saint-Sulpice in Abzac the next day at 4:00PM. The church was beautifully decorated in Lucy's signature Peony flowers. The minister, Rev Hazel Door, conducted a service that was both touching and personal. Lucy, who is an accomplished opera singer recorded a duet with Katharine Williams of Puccini's Flower Duet that was played during the ceremony. It was exquisite, and Lucy's voice is brilliantly clear and melodic. Ben Heavey read "I Will Be Here" written by Sephen Curtis Chapman that was so touching and beautifully written, there was a reverent hush over the church as it was read. Nic Carson played the flute - Mozart Andante in C. I felt so honored to have been included in this beautiful event.
The reception was held in Lucy's mother's home - which is exquisite. It is a short walk from the church to Les Erables. The food was so interesting and so delicious. Mellon gazpacho, salmon roll, potato stings fried around shrimp, escargot with garlic butter,steak with green beans and potato gratin, and wonderful red,white and port wine to accompany all of the courses. The DJ spun some great tunes and launched in to "It's Rainin' Men" when the sky opened with a deluge of rain. (the couple had arranged a sturdy marquis covering)
It was a glorious time. It was so special to be surrounded with an abundance of love, happiness and caring for two very wonderful people.
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