Sukiennice (Cloth Hall)

It has been almost a week since I posted, since I have spent it in Krakow, Poland instead.  I was thinking of being a good blogger and bringing my computer, but since it has to survive with me and little kids it is a really sorry case.  It had few baths in coffee, replaced keyboard, missing keys on the new keyboard, and even more stuff spilled on.  It does operate but not without a nifty keyboard that I attach to it.  I could only imagine how classy that would be to even go through security with.  Oh well maybe it is better since I could instead take in this beautiful city instead.

I started in the Main Square which holds Sukiennice or Cloth Hall named because it traditionally hosted merchants selling textiles.  As early as 1257 merchants set up stands along the center of the square, replaced by a stone protective structure in the later part of the XIV century.

It burned down in 1555  and rebuilt to the design on Giovanni Maria Mosca just  to be remodeled entirely in 1875.

Today the Hall sells traditional Polish trade and folklore, proudly displaying the shield of Polish cities above the booths.

Exotic spices, wax, salt from Wieliczka Salt Mine have been replaced by touristy nick nacks

Beautiful hand carved Chess sets

Amber jewelry and silver form Baltic Sea

Traditional Polish Costumes and doilies

Pottery from the town of Bloslawiec, known to make pottery as early as 7th century

Sheepskins

Leather

More Polish Pottery

Each proudly representing various Polish Cities

Hand blown and Carved Glassware

Dolls and Scarves

Tee shirts, even one with Coca Cola font spellin Cra-Cow

You can get all your traditional clothing and gifts purchased under one old roof.

or you can just walk through enjoying the views.