Kazimierz Dolny

Kazimierz Dolny castle ruins


On our second day in Lublin, we took a mini-bus to Kazimierz Dolny, an “ancient and highly picturesque center” on the Wisla (Vistula) River, set between two hills and “possessing one of Poland’s finest architectural ensembles as well as quiet, rustic backstreets.” Not to be confused with the Kazimierz section of Krakow, this is a town in Eastern Poland billed as an artists’ colony, attractive because of the quality of light there…and wouldn’t you know it? When we arrived, the sky was blue (though the air still cold) and we saw the sun for the first time in days. I’m sure it’s much nicer for strolling in warm weather, but the buildings (many of them wood – unusual from what we’re used to in Poland, which are mostly brick, stone and plaster) were quite interesting.

Kazimierz Dolny rynek (town square)

We stopped at a café and I couldn’t resist buying the local snack: a very large challah-type loaf of bread elaborately- shaped in the form of a rooster! It’s a good thing, too, as it became the major portion of our sustenance on the train trip home the next day.


Back to Lublin for another wonderful night in our hotel. I even did the Turkish bath they had in their basement…I was the only one in it (thank goodness) and it was wonderful! I’d never had a Turkish bath before – it’s bathing by steam rather than submersion in water, and after a very cold day of touring it was just the ticket!