The search for common heritage included visiting the most unique places of Malopolska region during the weekend.
Trip started on Saturday morning in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine, one of the most valuable monuments of material and spiritual culture in Poland. Each year it is visited by more than one million tourists from all over the world. What is more the place is a world class monument, featuring among twelve objects on the UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
During a three-hour underground tour the guide in traditional mining uniform presented the geological history of “Wieliczka” Salt Mine, evolution of mining tools, salt extraction methods and myths which are still alive among the miners. The participants of Visegrad Summer school were able to lick the walls covered with salt what should bring them fortune in future. Sightseeing was also attractive because of the numerous special effects and thanks to them the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine combines many centuries of tradition and modernity.
Sunny Sunday in Krakow
The second day of sightseeing participants spent on learning the biggest attractions of Krakow, a city where Visegrad Summer School takes place.
The trip started with taking a photo of all participants next to the most popular landmark in the Main Square – Adam Mickiewicz Monument. After that the group went to the Gallery of 19th-century Polish Art in the Sukiennice. In a several rooms students could admire the masterpieces of different style of painting: romanticism, realism, impressionism or symbolism.
Then the participants went to the Rynek Underground where they could feel as the citizens of medieval Krakow. Archeological works that started in summer 2005, and supposed to last for 6 months, but in the end excavation of the area under the eastern part of Krakow's Main Square was completed after 5 years. This should not be a big surprise considering the archeological layers of the Main Square contain 1000 years of history. Undergrounds of Cracow Main Square is „an odyssey into past”, but thanks to the modern technology and multimedia it was a true magical travel.
In the afternoon the participants moved from the Main Square to the Wawel. In the Cathedral they learned about the history of the most important Polish kings, including the only one woman, King Jadwiga. They also went upstairs to touch the heart of the Sigismundus Bell and made a wish. In the end of the day they visited the tombs of Polish heros and artists in the Cathedral undergrounds.
Really interesting, but also exhausting, trip to the past finished in Kazimierz, where the participants could take part in the modern nightlife of Krakow citizens.
