We chose to spend Christmas in Krakow. The Wyzga family is originally from Poland and they have kept the uniquely Polish Christmas Eve traditions alive.
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Krakow's Christmas Market had mulled wine and vodka tea! Both did a delicious job of keeping us warm and happy!
Pierogis are a staple for Polish Christmas! They are baked dumplings that can be filled with cheese, kraut, cabbage, mushrooms, and meat. They are fried in butter and eaten every Christmas Eve by the Wyzga family. We took a break from the day long process of making them ourselves and indulged in authentic pierogis offered at the market. Ours are still the best!
The barrels kept us well supplied throughout our trekkings.
We celebrated Midnight mass at St. Mary's Basillica in the Krakow town Square. Legend has it that there were two brothers building this Cathedral. The race to finish ended when one brother murdered the other, leaving the spires uneven.
"On every hour, a trumpet signal — called the heynal — is played from the top of the taller of St. Mary's two towers. The plaintive tune breaks off in mid-stream, to commemorate the famous 13th century trumpeter, who was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm before the Mongol attack on the city" Wikipedia
The cathedral is famous for housing the wooden altarpiece of Veit Stoss, which is the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world and a national treasure of Poland. It was amazing to watch as the lights became brighter during the service and the gold decorations covering the cathedral were illuminated.
On Christmas day, Rose and I also visited the Wawel Castle in Krakow followed by krupnik and waffles.
Rose's favorite door in Poland.
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