Hi all, I wanted to post this trip report I've had sitting on my laptop about a day trip that I did from Krakow back in early Aug to the relativity undiscovered next-door region of Upper Silesia. I was visiting friends for a few days before traveling on to Sweden and had a rental car at my disposal. I hope to shed some light on a few alternative day trip ideas from Krakow, outside the typical Zakopane/Salt Mines etc.
The full day plan was this:
(All sites within 1:30 hr from Krakow)
Morning – Visit the baroque town of Pszczyna and see the old German Palace
Midday – Stop in Katowice and see the brand-new Silesian Museum
Afternoon – Check out the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec (oldest monastery in Poland)
Here is my photo album of the trip - https://photos.app.goo.gl/vNGytwZaUFbQWPUR8
First a little context about Upper Silesia…
Silesia is a historical region in the southwest of Poland and is rich in culture, tradition, and industrial heritage. Having been contested between the Germanic world and Slavic world over centuries, it has an eclectic mix of architecture and history. This means visiting here offers a unique perspective into Central European history. Upper Silesia is the easternmost part of the region, compared to Lower Silesia which is closer to the German border. Silesia has a very strong regional identity, its own dialect, culture, and customs even a fledgling independence movement.
Driving around Upper Silesia, I found an eclectic mix of architectural styles that spoke to Silesia’s complicated multicultural history. Gothic cathedrals stand tall next to baroque palaces and modernist structures, each echoing a particular era's spirit. Many towns and villages have a distinctly Germanic feel, with half-timbered houses and cobbled streets, interspersed with later Communist buildings.
The region grew rich with the exploitation of its vast coal and mineral resources during the industrial revolution and later Communist period. This wealth is evident in the grandeur of many of its buildings, as well as in the sprawling mining complexes and factories that dot the landscape. These industrial sites, once the beating heart of the Silesian economy, have now mostly decommissioned and transformed into innovative cultural and recreational spaces. For instance, old mines and factories have been repurposed as museums, concert halls, and even shopping centers.
The Silesia Museum in Katowice tells this story much better than me but that covers it I think :)
Part 1: The Adventure of the Tour de Pologne
The trip started out with quite the adventure as when I woke up I found all roads around my hotel in Krakow had been completely shut down by the police for the Tour de Pologne, a multi stage bike race across Poland modeled after the Tour de France. There was literally no way to get out of the area where the hotel was except by foot, people were stranded, a line of cars of both locals and tourists trying to get out but no one would be let through. No one could get to work, or catch a plane or anything, a major cock up by the local authorities not letting an exit for cars in the area.
I only had this day to make my day trip so I decided not to give up just yet. I followed some local Poles in my car and they were in their car. We worked together to navigate the pedestrian only narrow back streets (which were empty) until we got into a business parking lot. I guess the local Poles were pretty frustrated at this point as they tore down the barriers to the next street. I follow them over the sidewalk onto the next street where we were met by a Police blockade only a few meters from the entrance to the expressway and freedom!
Continued below: