JASNA GORE MONASTERY
The image of the black Madonna was founded by Pauline Monks in 1382 and many people make a pilgrimage to this icon of the Virgin Mary that edicts Mary holding Jesus. The icon is credited with many miracles.
Our guide at the monastery was a monk who raced us through the church as if it was a speed date! He kept telling us to squash up and move along! He was an absolute nutter, with a crazy sense of humour.
There were hundreds of people there, praying in the church or following a tour guide. It was quite possibly the least reverent religious experience we have ever had.
A statue of Pope John Paul II's parents was in the restaurant area opposite the monastery.
AUSCHWITZ
Our next stop was Auschwitz, the concentration camp where 1.1 million men, women and children were killed.
Auschwitz was established in 1940 as a concentration camp for Poles but from 1942 was also a death camp that contained between 15,000 - 20,000 prisoners, with more arriving daily.
We walked through the camp buildings, visiting the 'death wall' where prisoners were shot, 'standing cells' just 1 metre square that held 4 prisoners with no room to move and rooms showing how up to 8 women would sleep on each level of layered brick bunk beds.
We also visited the gas chamber from which the bodies of the dead were taken on small train carts to the adjoining crematorium.
It was another sobering experience. Although there were many groups being lead by your guides, very few words were spoken as visitors tried to comprehend the vision.
Photographs showed Jews arriving with their belongings, while rooms in the buildings contained the victims' hair (yes, hair!) their shoes, their suitcases and other personal items such as hair brushes.
This evening we have arrived in Krakow. It is our tour guide's home town.
We have a big day of excursions tomorrow to take in all we can in a short time.
The images tend to upload in random order, but I'm sure you'll work it out!
No comments:
Post a Comment