Off the track sight seeing, Tarnow region 2014

[artur95]

Hello everyone!

I recently came back from Poland (September 1st to be exact).

I explored the Krakow/ Tarnow region for the most part. My trip lasted for less than two weeks, and I unfortunately was sick for a week.

I tried to cram as many sites as possible.

I visited a few of the larger sites but enjoyed the numerous smaller off beat historical places just as much. So here are some places that might be of interest to future tourists...

Hope you enjoy the photos, and I'd like to thank Nuno and his thread for giving me the idea to create one of my own.

Artur

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[artur95]

Site #1: Manor House in Dolega

Site where wounded soldiers in the 1863 Uprising rested and also the site of a wooden chapel.
The wooden chapel is right across the manor in a small clearing. There, soldiers prayed before
going into battle.


Manor house

[artur95]

The chapel in the distance.

[artur95]

Further photos of the chapel

[artur95]

Site #2: Grandmother's home

My grandmother's farm was purchased in the 1930's and during the war, both German and Russian troops stopped there for a meal.

Site #3: Bridge over stream

According to a great uncle, the Germans knocked out this bridge during their retreat. It didn't help much. It was winter time and the stream was frozen, it was only a foot or two deep at any given time. Soviet tanks easily crossed the stream.

[artur95]

Site #4: Cementary in Niedzieliska

My father was born in this village and we still have a house there.
Most of my family is buried here and there is a nice monument to
the memory of the village's residents that fell in battle during
various wars.

[artur95]

Names of the fallen. Its strange as my father went
to schools with many of their children and grand
children... None are relatives.

[artur95]

Site #5: Church in Bielcza

Has a plaque and cross dedicated to all the village residents
who lost their lives at the hands of the Germans during WWII.
I found two of the mens' last names interesting, Macdon. I
believe that it possibly may have been shortened from
MacDonald as Scottish mercenaries settled the area after
the 30 Year's War.

The village was pretty quiet. My cousin's grandmother lives
here so we decided to take a short stop.

[artur95]

Site #6: Castle in Debno

Late Gothic Polish castle. Was abandoned at the time of the German invasion
and was requisitioned by German forces. According to the tour guide, a local
told a story how when he was a child he received medical help from the troops
at the castle. The Germans saved his leg.


Our tour guide there was so helpful and friendly! I visited Lancut Palace in the east
and Wawel in Krakow, but I have to say I enjoyed visiting this small castle the most.
The told me to take as many photos as I would like. If you're in the area, I HIGHLY
recommend visiting this museum.

[artur95]

Left; model of how the castle originally looked like

Center; early canon, not sure if a repro

Right; Austrian canteen found near by