Wordless Wednesday - The Gnomes of Wroclaw

The Gnomes of

Wrocław, Poland

You will find dozens of these

cute little guys on the sidewalks

all around the city,

in all kinds of poses and activities. 



All photos from our September 2008 trip to Poland.



Shopping Saturday - The Local Market



A variety of mushrooms. 
Prices are in Polish Zloty.

When traveling, I always enjoying checking out the local markets. 

A few years ago, when in Krakow, Poland, hubby and I visited this huge market. 

You know that old saying, "Everything but the kitchen sink," well, I wonder if there wasn't even a kitchen sink for sale somewhere. 

Even though we saw no sink, I did get a big surprise as we were leaving...

The meat counter.



The market has all types of food,

including produce,

meats,

eggs,

cheeses,

spices,

and so much more!

Colorful peppers and other produce.

The market was probably more than 200 stalls.  We wandered for hours taking it all in. 

We saw toys of all descriptions; leather goods like jackets and shoes; clothing for all ages, including school uniforms; tires, batteries, tools, every type of household good or need; and much, much more!

I was snapping pictures in every direction and soaking in the feel of life as a Krakow native. 

At almost every turn, I imagined my Polish ancestors visiting similar markets for the groceries and goods they did not grow themselves.



Baltic Black Marketeers???



Finally, as we were leaving the market, I was more than surprised to see a woman on the sidewalk, arms draped in bras.  Others were selling sleepwear and undies.  As I prepared to snap the picture, they all turned their backs to me. 

Hubby and I laughed as we wondered aloud, could there be a lingerie black market in Krakow???


Oh, those stoic Polish, the secrets they may hide!

 

Surname Saturday - Szymanski

My father is first-generation American; his mother was born in 1900, in what is now known as the country of Poland.  In September 2008, before I began researching my family’s history, my husband and I traveled to Poland.  Over the course of 10 days, we visited the cities of  Wrocław and Kraków, with day trips to Częstochowa, Oświęcim (the location of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps), and Wadowice, the boyhood home of Pope John Paul II. 

Wawel Castle, Krakow

We logged miles in every city, touring the sights. 

In Krakow, as we walked from our apartment up the hill to Wawel Castle, we came upon the Baroque Church of St. Bernard’s.  

  

 

 Imagine my delight at seeing a colorful banner, featuring St. Szymon, draped down the right side of the church's ornate façade. 

I’d always been told our surname, Szymanski, means “son of Simon.”  And here was two-thirds of our surname, in living color, flying high on a Krakow church. 


The beautiful banner translates: 

St. Simon, Patron of Krakow

and Young Academics

At the time, I knew of two saints with the name.  St. Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus’ cross on Good Friday.  Simon Peter, later known as St. Peter, was one of the Twelve Apostles and first Pope of the Catholic Church.  So I wondered, "Which Simon is this Simon?

That's when I learned about Simon of Lipnica:

Lipnica is a town not far from Krakow.  Simon is a genealogist’s nightmare, in that his exact birth date is unknown.  Based on his attendance at Krakow’s Jagiellonian University in 1454, his birth is estimated somewhere between 1435 and 1440.  Influenced by St. Bernardine of Siena and St. John Capistran, Simon took up a pious life and joined  the Franciscans of St. Bernardine, where he was honored to preach at the Polish monarchy’s Wawel Cathedral in 1463.  In his later years, he cared for the suffering in plague-infested Krakow, by administering the sacraments and sharing God’s Word.  He soon contracted the plague himself, and died on July 18, 1482. 

Simon of Lipnica was beatified in 1685; centuries later, his sainthood became official through his June 3, 2007 canonization.  Of course!  That was the reason for the beautiful banner: Krakow was honoring its new saint, Simon of Lipnica!

In considering my surname, I wonder, who is the Simon that my Szymanski ancestors are the "sons of"?  Someone of sturdy Polish stock, no doubt.  But since surnames are a centuries-old addition in most cultures, I still have many, many generations to uncover.  I’ll just keep working on that one...

Polish Independence Day

Today is Polish Independence Day,

known in the native language as

Narodowe Święto Niepodległości.  

Jasna Gora Monastery, Czestochowa

When my grandmother was born in June of 1900, the country of Poland did not exist.  Yes, of course, the land was there (smile), but the name depended on the geographical region—Prussia, Austria, Russia, Germany.  After a lifetime of hearing that my grandma was born in Poland, I was initially stunned to see my dad’s birth certificate declare that she was from Germany!  Of course, now I know better.  But this shows the enormous impact that historical events can have on our genealogy research. 



Close-up of Battle of Vienna banner, Krakow


Poland has a long, complex political and military history, and the borders moved frequently.  The process of achieving independence was gradual to say the least.  November 11 marks the final separation of Poland from its Russian, Prussian and Austrian neighbors.  This national holiday has had a few celebration dates; it was finally moved to November 11 in 1989.   Just like July 4 is to Americans, November 11 is one of the most important celebrations for all Poles, whether in the homeland or abroad. 

 

Outside Wawel Castle, Krakow





When I visited Poland in September 2008, the city of Krakow was decorated with beautiful, colorful banners.  At the time, we didn't know their purpose. 

I've since learned that these decorations were to commemorate the 325th anniversary of Krakow's victory in the Battle of Vienna. Poland's Discovery Channel sponsored many of the decorations, to be used in re-enactment scenes.  



Krakow's Historic District



While recalling the past, I think these photos also show the beauty in an independent Poland today.

 

Main Square, Krakow