2012 Tours

Medieval Southern Poland

Led by Dr. Robert Bubczyk on Polish medieval history and Dr. Pamela Marshall on the architecture

5th - 11th July 2012

Krakow, an early medieval town on the Vistula River in southern Poland, became its capital in the mid-11th century and the major seat of the first Polish ruling dynasty, the Piasts. The royal castle, located on the Wawel Hill in the heart of the town, served as the political, administrative and cultural focus of the whole kingdom throughout the Middle Ages. The town soon rose to prominence as an ecclesiastical and economic centre, with a magnificent cathedral, basilica and numerous other Romanesque and Gothic churches as well as a plethora of wealthy tenement houses built by merchants and craftsmen. In the late Middle Ages the town was a haven for artists and scholars, who flocked to its university (founded in 1364), the oldest in Poland and the second oldest in Central Europe. Krakow was also the metropolis for the whole province known as Little Poland (as opposed Greater Poland with Poznań as its capital).

A number of impressive castles, scattered all over the region, were built by the king to serve as administrative centres, or by senior politicians and royal dignitaries who raised them to show their might and political standing. This tour will trace the medieval history of Krakow with its immediate environs, including the unique medieval salt mine in Wieliczka and the oldest Benedictine monastery in Tyniec, but also some more remote and spectacular sites where the most interesting examples of medieval Polish castle building can be explored.

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Dr. Robert Bubczyk is a medieval historian at Marie Curie Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland, where he is Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Institute for Cultural Studies. He specializes in knightly and courtly culture in the lives of the political and social elite in Medieval Latin Europe, especially aristocratic leisure pursuits. An expert on Polish medieval history, he has studied in the UK and has also published in English.

A full itinerary of daily visits will include:

Day 1 Thursday: Fly from London Gatwick or Bristol Airport, arriving in Krakow mid-afternoon. Transfer to our hotel. An introductory talk by Robert will be followed by a short orientation walk and dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 2 Friday: In-depth guided tour of the historic centre of Krakow on foot: Wawel Hill, including the Royal Castle Chambers, Royal Cathedral, Kings’ Tombs, the Belfry and King Sigismund’s Bell; Market Square; Medieval Cloth Hall; Early Medieval Krakow – a recently opened archaeological museum showing everyday life in early medieval Krakow.
Evening: dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 3 Saturday: Full day excursion.
Morning: 11thC Benedictine Abbey at Tyniec, the oldest in Poland.
Afternoon: Tenczyn Castle at Rudno (early 14thC), seat of one of the most powerful late-mediaeval aristocratic families, the Tęczyńskis; Lipowiec Castle at Babice (late 13thC), which belonged to the bishops of Krakow. Return to Krakow: evening free.

Day 4 Sunday: Full day excursion.
Morning: medieval salt mine at Wieliczka. Established in the 13thC, this is the oldest working salt mine in the world. An unforgettable underground guided tour in the mine is included (but optional), as well as a visit to the underground museum (approx. 130 metres underground).
Afternoon: visit to the well-preserved Nowy Wiśnicz Castle (14thC), seat of the aristocratic Kmita family, with late medieval and early renaissance architecture. Return to Krakow: dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 5 Monday: Full day excursion.
Morning: Ojców Castle (14thC) built by King Kazimierz Wielki and administered by a local Starost; Pieskowa Skała Castle, a picturesque Renaissance castle in the beautiful setting of Ojców National Park.
Afternoon: Ogrodzieniec Castle (14thC), seat of the aristocratic Sulima family built on the site of a 12thC stronghold. Return to Krakow: dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 6 Tuesday:
Morning: Czorsztyn Castle (late 13thC) picturesquely situated on a high hill overlooking Czorsztyn Lake.
Afternoon: Niedzica Castle (14thC), built as a borderland castle, also on a hill overlooking Czorsztyn Lake. Return to Krakow: dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 7 Wednesday:
Morning: In Krakow - Romanesque Basilica of St. Mary (with High Altar by Veit Stoss);
Gothic Franciscan Church (with beautiful frescoes); courtyard of Krakow University, founded 1364.
Afternoon: Transfer to Krakow Airport for departure to the UK

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Cost:

£1,095 (Single supplement £70)

The price includes:

• Air travel to Poland;
• air-conditioned transport in Poland;
• 7 nights in en-suite 4* accommodation;
• all breakfasts;
• 5 dinners;
• expert guiding;
• entrances;
• gratuities

Reduction of £25pp for each booking received by Jan 31st 2012