A September in Krakow – a photo essay by Petronella Dahl2 min read
The first impressions of a new city, discovering what autumn in Poland smells like, enjoying the first sense of feeling at home in the Jewish district of Kazimierz. The tourist golf carts pass by, making the autumn leaves do pirouettes across the street. The queue for the local ice cream place is never less than five meters long. And on the square, kids are chasing pigeons that are chewing away at leftover ice cream cones.
They’re building new business and housing blocks by the minute, whereas the old facades in Kazimierz are still standing tall.
Only 20 minutes away by tram you’ll find a well hidden lake, situated adjacent to an industrial site and the railways. One hot September afternoon, the locals turned up with their blown up water toys, crossword puzzles or just a towel on their way back from work.
Every new building facade tells its own story, and it’s hard to let it all go unnoticed when walking down any street close to the center. Life changes drastically on the weekends; long working hours transform into dressed up people who enjoy life into the late hours of the night. On one weekend evening, the council organized a klezmer concert and the square became a dance floor.
Along the river you will find joggers, dog walkers and fishermen all joining paths.
Nowa Huta is a district in the east of Krakow built under the socialist regime. It’s home to the working class with the steel factory located at its center. Even though the architecture is still reminiscent of the socialist classicist era, a lot has changed since then.
The Lenin statue has been overturned and the square where it was situated renamed Ronald Reagan Central Square. Still, some cafes and restaurants have not changed dramatically since the 1950’s. At these sights, the the architecture remains the same.
You’ll find more of Petronella’s photography here.
