Posts

Jasna Gora September 15, 2025

Image
While watching the Craig's curling game Ed struck up a conversation with the father of the opposing skip. After a lengthy conversation it was recommended that we visit a place called Jasna Gora or "Light Hill". We had a few hours to kill on our way back to Krakow so we decided to stop not knowing what we were going to see other than it was a beautiful church. It turns out it is not only a Cathedral and monastery but also a fortified shrine to the Virgin Mary. Jasna Gora is one of the biggest and most famous world pilgrimages and shrines after Lourdes and Fatima. It also has the national shrine of the Miraculous Icon of the Black Virgin Mary. Jasna Gora was first built in 1382 and has been under the constant care of the Order of  St Paul (the first hermit) The Pauline fathers. It's construction is unique in style as it has been changed and added on to over the 14-18th centuries. It is 5 acres in a bastion style fort and is 296 m above sea level....
Post a Comment
Read more

Lodz at Night September

Image
The silver medalists. Three bonspiels, 3 seconds but the kids (team in the middle) were excited to beat Wes. The manufacturing area of Lodz has been turned into a beautiful shopping area. We were there after dark.  We went to a restaurant called Tawerna Pepe Verde. The room we were in was decorated with Poppies and tea pots. What was coming out of the ceiling? Tea pots and tea cups. Hunters stew was popular. Goodnight Lodz.
Post a Comment
Read more

Rzuchow Forest

Image
Rzuchow Forest, called a forest camp, is 4 km away from Chelmno. In Chelmno an  abandoned 19th century manor house was choosen to become the first stationary killing centre. Special air tight vans were designed in Berlin, that could hold 50-70 people, then a special hose was attached to the exhaust and run into the van. After people were murdered the van was driven to Rzuchow Forest where the bodies were dumped into mass graves and then the van returned to repeat. In November of 1939 56 Polish hostages were executed by firing squad in the "Policitical Clearing Grounds" of the Nazi's. Monument to the Holocaust victims. From the top the monument is sort of the star of David. It is 2500m3 with hidden chambers on the inside and placed on 5 irregularly space pyramids. On the front, the carving depicts the walk towards the Holocaust. In the centre is the outline of the gas van and the right side has the inscription "We Remem...
Post a Comment
Read more