Sandomierz, Poland

After leaving Kraków, we spent two nights in Sandomierz, a town with a population of 26,000. It rained quite a bit, but we managed to see what we wanted to, taking shelter during the worst of it.

Buildings on the main square

The old town hall, also located on the main square

A gate/tower, part of the original fortifications.

We climbed to the top of the tower (of course!) for views of the town.

A walk in the park while it was just sprinkling

Around town

Art in town

The cathedral, dating back to the 14th century

Interior of cathedral

The Royal Castle

Hanging out in a cafe while the rain comes down

The guesthouse where we stayed

Small kitchenette shoehorned in under the eaves

View from our balcony

Travel day to Sandomierz

We picked up our rental car today to start a 30 day road trip around Poland.

Our first stop was Zalipie, a village famous for its buildings decorated with hand-painted flowers and designs.

Even the local church is decorated.

Next up was the Krzyżtopór castle, built in the 17th century as a palace for a Polish nobleman. Within a few years of completion it was damaged by the Swedes and then destroyed by the Russians in 1770.

Visiting the Chortitza colony - part 1

A Mennonite house built in 1909 in Franzfeld (now part of Nikolaipole). It is currently the home base for a couple from Manitoba who are working with young adult orphans on a demonstration farm.

Former Mennonite Secondary School in Nikolaifeld (now also part of Nikolaipole). The building is still being used as a school.

Former teachers' residence on school grounds

Old barn on school grounds

Former Mennonite church, now used as the school gym.

The village of Neuendorf (now Shirokoye), where my paternal grandparents lived before coming to Canada.

Former village school building, now abandoned

Mennonite house

A former Mennonite house-barn, now used as a storage shed

Mennonite house, still in use

Neuendorf cemetery

A Mennonite headstone in the old Neuendorf cemetery

A drive through Neuendorf

The location of the Chortitza railway station. From here my paternal grandparents left for Canada on June 22, 1923.

The old oak tree in Chortitza. It is in poor condition now.

The former Chortitza girls' school. It is still being used as a school.

The former Chortitza secondary school