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Polish Culture: Beyond Pierogi and Cabbage

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Poland - Land of Green and Golden Fields

Welcome to Polish Culture! This is one location on the Internet where you can read some short articles, find some interesting and often-times little known links and overall learn a little bit more about modern-day Poland and Polonia - people of Polish descent who live outside Poland.

If you like what you find here tell your friends and rate this page; if you don't find what you are looking for or have ideas about what you'd like to see included here, write me a note in the Guestbook at the bottom of the page. Also, be sure to vote in the Poll below.

Thank you for reading! Now, a little bit about modern Poland and its history...

Tiny Poland, located in central Europe, maintians its position as a crossroads between eastern and western European countries and cultures. While Poland's national origins date to the 10th century, its borders have repeatedly shifted due to a history of aggression and warfare initiated by neighboring countries. Border changes at the end of World War II (1945) could have overwhelmed the national mentality and culture.

However, today, tiny Poland, the 8th most densely populated country in Europe, is a free democracy and looks to align itself with western countries. In 1999, Poland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and in 2004, the European Union (EU). Its citizens welcome prosperity while continuing to develop and enhance for visitors the country's history, folk culture, impressive architecture and beautiful natural landscape.

Photo: Garden - Chocholow - 2006, by Georgene A. Bramlage

Chocholow - a village near Zakopane in the Polish Góral highlands

Close-by a popular Polish-Slovak border crossing

Traditional Wooden Farm House and Outbuildings - Chochołów

Chocholów, a sixteenth century village in the Podhale region, looks as if it is part of a fairy tale. But it is actually a small village of wooden houses (góralskie chaty) whose residents work every day jobs like farming and logging. Along its main street one of the houses contains the public library, another houses a local woodcarver, while another the Museum of the 1846 Uprising of Chocholów against the Austrians. It is not a village crammed with tourists or souvenir shops, but one where it is possible to slowly walk along and admire the wooden architecture and construction, said to be the best in the region. The village has an approximate population of 1,135. A traditional yearly task for female residents is to scrub the wood of buildings until they gleam white.

Photo: Traditional Wooden Farm House and Outbuildings by Georgene A. Bramlage

Medieval Locations to Visit in Poland

Locations mapped so far: Warsaw's Old Town, Chocholow & Krakow. Move zoom function to get a closer look at these places.

Little Known Warsaw

Look carefully to find remnants and reconstructions of medieval time

History abounds in Warsaw, even though it was completely rebuilt after WWII. Here are some Warsaw sites few people mention or visit, but which are important to the Polish people:

Warsaw's Old Town Market Square and its surroundings, the Old Town (Stare Miasto, also called Starowka), is a reconstruction that contains many homes with their outdoor living spaces.

St. John's Cathedral was completely destroyed during WWII and recently rebuilt. Embedded in the wall along a side section and placed there as a memorial is a portion of a German small tank track used in one phase of the destruction.

The National Museum (Warsaw) holds a rich collection of Medieval art in permanent exhibition. There are works from Polish lands as well as pieces created in other prominent European art centers.

Photo: Christ in Distress, Pomerania, early 16th century, wood with paint; from the study collection of The National Museum in Warsaw

Warsaw by Video

Enjoy a virtual visit to Old Town Warsaw

Warsaw Old Town - The History Of The Polish Capital City's Old Market Square: by polcham | video info

4 ratings | 487 views

curated content from YouTube

Krakow

Possesses the largest medieval intact marketplace in continental Europe

Perfect Polish town to visit if you are "into" history. The city is relatively inexpensive and easy to reach via either train or plane. This city was not damaged much during World War II (1939-45). There is a lot for history buffs to see and admire. Krakow is a good central point from which to reach other interesting places in central Poland such as the Beskid and Tatra Mountains; and historical places like the Auswitch Concentration Camps, Wieliczka Salt Mines, and Jasna Gora with the Black Madonna of Cz%u0119stochowa. Don't forget to check out the McDonalld's near the Florian Gate!

Here are a few other highlights:

1 - The Jagiellonian University is wonderful with old buildings, but more modern facilities are spread out over the city.

2 - The market square "comes alive" after about 9pm especially on the weekends There are bands, food, general good times; police crack down on rowdiness and drunks.

3 - There are lots of wonderful free and inexpensive classical music concerts.

4 - The Royal Wawel Castle, the Wawel Cathedral and archaeological ruins on the grounds.

Photo: Musicians in Krakovian Costumes by Georgene A. Bramlage

The Kosciuszko Squadron and American Merian Caldwell Cooper

World War 1, Polish-Soviet War. World War 2

Translation...from Polish video..."Badge of the Kosciuszko Squadron was established as the emblem of the American airmen who came to help Poland in its struggle for independence. The thirteen stars and white and red stripes are symbols of the American War of Independence. Krakuska (Krakov-style) cap and crossed scythes symbolize the anti-Russian uprising of 1794. ...Kosciusko was...a famous patron of Polish and American struggle for independence. American volunteers from the "7 Fighting Squadron name of Tadeusz Kosciuszko" were famous in fighting...the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1920."

This long video, The Greatest Story Not Yet Told, posted December 29, 2011, asks for donations, but also tells an interesting story.

From video The Greatest Story Not Yet Told. "It has been said that we are only a generation away from forgetting our history. A vital part of that history is the personal accounts of heroes whose unselfish actions have contributed to the traditions and values that represent the soul of America. The mission of The Foundation to Illuminate America's Heroes--formed as an IRS-approved 501(c)3 non-profit public charity with tax deductible status--is to search for, discover and illuminate America's heroes both past and present."

From video "Battle of Britain Heroes. There is a long written segment about the Polish squadron from "A Question of Honor": The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II LYNNE OLSON and STANLEY W. CLOUD"

Look here for more about Merian Caldwell Cooper

The Greatest Story Not Yet Told!: by illuminateamericashe | video info

14 ratings | 1,363 views

curated content from YouTube

Pope John Paul II

Polish Saints

An Evolving Calender of Feastdays and Celebrations

As seasons roll around so do the feast days of saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Nowhere else like Poland are the Church and People so connected. Here is a list I am slowly building of Polish saints, their feast days and some little known facts about them. This list of Polish saints, once completed, will read like a history, an animated history of Poland.

Polish Culture Forum - Polish People & Polish History: Polish People & Polish History - Features an ongoing discussion of Polish Saints
St. Casimir of Poland: March 4
Patron saint of Poland and Lithuania, some say Russia. Born in 1458 or 1460; canonized in 1522 by Pope Adrian VI. The third of thirteen children of King Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria, daughter of Albert II of Hapsburg born in the royal palace at Cracow, Poland. Deeply spiritual, Casimir was also a pacifist which displeased his father. He died of lung problems, probably consumption, when visiting in Lithuania and is buried in Vilnius. His tomb there became famed for miracles. Casimir is invoked against enemies of Poland and the faith.
St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr: Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr
Memorial - April 11th
St. Stanislaus was born at Szczepanw, in the Diocese of Cracow, July 26, 1030.
Blessed Helen of Poland: Blessed Jolenta (Yolanda or Helen) of Poland, also Helen of Hungary
June 12, (some sources say June 11,; others June 15)
Blessed Kateri Tekawitha - Lily of the Mohawks: July 14
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Why include a native North American woman among a list of Polish saints? Many Poles venerate Kateri Tekakwitha because they compare her spiritual struggles with their own.
St. Kunigunde: Memorial Day - July 24
Sister to Blessed Jolenta of Poland
St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: October 5
St. Maria Faustina's name is linked to the annual feast of the Divine Mercy (celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter), the divine mercy chaplet and the divine mercy prayer recited each day by many people at 3 p.m.
She joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925 and worked as a cook, gardener and porter in three of their houses. All the while, though ill, she continued with her deep interior life.
(1905-1938)
Blessed Angela Truszkowska: October 11
Founder with her cousin of the Felician Sisters. This religious order is well known to many residents of the U.S. because of their work among the sons and daughters of Polish immigrants. (1825-1899)
Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1993.
Blessed Pope Jon Paul II: October 22
Blessed Pope John Paul II (1920-2005), in 27 years of papal ministry, wrote 14 encyclicals and five books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1,338 people. In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson's disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities.
Pope Benedict XVI beatified John Paul II on May 1, 2011, Divine Mercy Sunday.

"Our Lady of Czestochowa"

"Queen of Poland"

This miraculous painting of Our Lady, Mother of God, in the style of an icon, is housed at the Jasna Gora (Shining or Luminous Hill) monastery. It is the monastery's most most valuable treasure and is housed in the Chapel of the Virgin at the heart of the monastery. The image is painted on a board that measures 81.5 x 121.7 cm (approximately 32 x 48 inches) and shows (without the jeweled coverings) as in this illustration a standing Virgin holding the infant Christ. Jasna Gora is now Poland's most famous Marian shrine among the many others throughout Poland.

Amazon

Poland's Cities and Countryside in Pictures

Websites Available in a Variety of Languages

Daniel Schultz the Younger: Page about Daniel Schultz the Younger, the most important and famous Polish Baroque painter born in Gdansk about 1615. Paintings reflect the countryside as well as people of the Baroque period.
Storks in Poland: Storks in Poland. Photos, Videos and other Multimedia Goodies. A Multitude of Interesting Stork Facts.
An Archive of Pictures of Poland: An incredible archive of pictures of modern Poland. Some of these are of little known spots as well as the more typical tourist areas.
Site dedicated to the black stork.: The monitoring of the migration to Africa of the black stork. Includes tools to make it easier for you to follow this journey, with a lot of interactivity and useful information as possible.
Jasna Góra - Sanktuarium -: Sanctuary of the Mother of God at Jasna Góra (Bright/Shining Hill) at Czestochowa

Refred to as "Our Lady of Czestochowa"

The miraculous painting of Our Lady, Mother of God, is Jasna Góra's most valuable treasure. Jasna Góra is now Poland's most famous Mary shrine among the many others throughout Poland.

Many beautiful pictures on this site including an opportunity to enlarge a full-color photo of this marvelous icon.

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My Favorite Books about Poland.

Mostly History!

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Polish Culture: Beyond Pierogi and Cabbage

Poland - Land of Green and Golden Fields

Chocholow - a village near Zakopane in the Polish Góral highlands

Close-by a popular Polish-Slovak border crossing

Medieval Locations to Visit in Poland

Little Known Warsaw

Look carefully to find remnants and reconstructions of medieval time

Warsaw by Video

Enjoy a virtual visit to Old Town Warsaw

Krakow

Possesses the largest medieval intact marketplace in continental Europe

The Kosciuszko Squadron and American Merian Caldwell Cooper

World War 1, Polish-Soviet War. World War 2

Polish Saints

An Evolving Calender of Feastdays and Celebrations

"Our Lady of Czestochowa"

"Queen of Poland"

Amazon

Poland's Cities and Countryside in Pictures

Websites Available in a Variety of Languages

Let me know what you think about this lens.

My Favorite Books about Poland.

Mostly History!

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Polish Dictionaries and Coloring Books

Learn words and traditions while having fun!

More Favorite Books about Polish History

Coffee Mugs and Barware with Polish Imprints

from CafePress

Favorite Sites about Poland and All Things Polish.

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Polish Culture in Photography

Digital Images Made During Trips to Poland - Summers, 2005 & 2006

Little Known Warsaw

Books About Traveling to America

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Polish Christmas Ornaments

Polonia in the United States

Polish-American Communities

A Visit to Poland

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Wiegela: The Polish Christmas Eve

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