Dresden, Krakow & Prague

I know, I'm bad... I'll do better... at least I'll try.

October 9-14, 2014

First stop, Dresden. Former East German city that was almost totally destroyed by Allied bombing at the end of WWII. Significant progress has been made in the last 20 years to rebuild many structure to their pre-war beauty. Reconstruction on the large church on the main square was started in 1996 and completed in 2005.

Zwinger Museums and Garden

From the Zwinger looking our on the main square

Dresden Opera House

Frauenkircke - rebuilt 1996-2005

Frauenkircke - Baroque interior

Rebuilt Kirckeplatz

Frauenkircke Dome

Original Cross from the top of the church, found in the rubble and preserved

Next stop, a quick 1-hour trek for Polish pottery in the Boleslawiec, Poland. We found some wonderful pieces to go with our blue and white themed stoneware.

Then we headed to tour Auschwitz/Birkenau Concentration and Extermination Camps, near Krakow. Heartbreaking...

Ironic entry to the work camp section

Barracks - now museum exhibitions

Entrance to the Birkenau Extermination Camp

A few buildings have been erected in hopes that in remembering we will never forget

Rail tracks brought people directly to the camp and cremetorium

We arrived in Krakow about 9 at night, grabbed the last free slot in the parking lot across the street from our hotel, then headed out to the main square where things were still very busy and very beautiful. We took a walking tour the next morning, and toured the Jewish Quarter in the afternoon, ending up at the factory where Oskar Schindler worked to liberate so many of his workers.

Krakow Cloth Hall - a 15th century indoor shopping market

Church of Our Lady - Krakow

Part of the old wall and gate

We went by one of the largest salt mines still in production. We toured over 300 feet below the ground, where sculptures and grottoes have been carved by the workers.  It was amazing.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for this little guy who ate his way through a slice a bread,
and then had to wear the remnants around his neck

We took a small detour through Prague on the way home. We had been there 10 years ago, but it was the first time for Tim. Beautiful, but it's a long way up to the castle... we made it.

Then back home and back to life for us.