Today was a sunny and enjoyable day. In all honesty, it was pretty relaxing compared to the past couple of days. PG15 took to the streets of Krakow and we visited many stunning sights during a walking tour of the city, including two prominent and striking places: St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Basilica Church and Wawel Cathedral Church. Both elegant churches were breathtaking, and the stories and details that encompassed the buildings were truly something that all of us marvelled at.
St. Mary’s, originally built in the 13th century, has an interior of overwhelming beauty and is a rich sculptural masterpiece. However, it did not always stand the way it does today. After a raid on Krakow in the 13th century, the church was left in ruins, and it took an extreme amount of effort to build it back up to the iconic standard it withholds today. By the 15th century, the building was a place of tradition, religion and community.
As I walked through, learning about the rich history, I was absolutely awestruck at the gold impressions on the walls and beautiful religious figures moulded. Taking photos was not allowed, but I saw this as sort of opportunity to take everything in and notice all the beauty in the moment. A place like this has been standing for so long and has served such a great purpose in terms of continuing on the religious practices of so many people. A feeling of comfort in our lives through congregating with family and religion is an important way to reflect upon our own lives, and the lives of many others surrounding us now and in the past. The prosperity that this magnificent building has and the voices of the prayers within the walls is something that I will never forget.
-Claire W
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