Yesterday morning after breakfast, Anna wanted to go with me to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in town. Even though I would have a very late start for my ride, I decided to go.
Wojciech and Anna rode their bikes with me to see the church. I’ve seen many churches before, but this one is a little different. It contained a replica of Jesus’ shroud. The church even made a special area dedicated to it. I’m not a religious person, but this was kind of cool.
After visiting the church, I bid farewell to Wojciech and Anna and started my ride around 11:15 AM, the latest starting time on my trip.
The route on Google Maps made me follow the train tracks for a while. Then I cycled through many small Polish villages. The weather was good and I had no issues getting into Kraków. I also had an excellent chicken platter lunch at Asiana 3 restaurant that’s on the outskirts of the city before arriving in Kraków at 3 PM.
I called my Warmshowers host Wiktor on WhatsApp since he didn’t reply to my messages about a good arrival. He told me I should go to his place at 5 PM. I had plenty of time.
I rested on a bench by the river then made my way to the Mostowa Sztuka Kawa coffee shop. I ordered my favorite Polish drink kompot and waited for Wiktor.
Wiktor works as a bike messenger and lives in Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter in Kraków. I was told by Anna that this area is quite expensive compared to other parts of Kraków.
Wiktor showed me his apartment and I was able to store my bike in his room. I had ridden 31.6 miles for the day. After taking a shower, I went with Wiktor to get some zapiekanki, which is an open-faced sandwich made from a baguette and topped with cheese, mushrooms, and other ingredients. My zapiekanka was huge and I didn’t think I could eat it all. But true to a touring cyclist, I finished it.
After the meal, Wiktor and I walked north to the Wawel Royal Castle, passed by several churches, then arrived at the Rynek Główny, which is the main plaza. Coincidentally, Wiktor met his two friends, Adrian and Christian, at the plaza. The four of us went to a nearby bar and chatted about cycling.
It was 8:30 PM when Wiktor and I parted with Adrian and Christian. I was feeling tired. When we came back to Wiktor’s apartment I fell asleep soon after.
This morning, I woke up around 8. I plan to stay in Kraków for a few days then I’ll cycle westward.
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| Church of the Holy Sepulchre |
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| Inside the church |
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| Image of the shroud |
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| A replica of Jesus with the shroud |
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| Riding next to the train tracks |
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| Bike trail by the Vistula River |
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| A lot of graffiti in the Jewish quarter of Kraków |
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| Here's an interesting one. |
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| Another interesting one |
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| Graffiti on an abandoned building |
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| This zapiekanka is about the length of my forearm. |
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| Nice buildings in Kraków |
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| Wawel Royal Castle |
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| St. Andrew's Church |
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| Saints Peter and Paul Church |
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| Kraków street near the main plaza |
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| A mirror bicycle |
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| Rynek Główny, the main plaza |
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| St. Mary's Basilica |
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| Left to right: Adrian, Christian, and Wiktor |
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