Things to do in Kazimierz Dolny
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Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is housed in a large, finely restored granary from 1591. Though there is little information in English, kids will enjoy seeing the range of birds, animals and insects (albeit stuffed). Of particular interest is the video showing the process of taxidermy (animal stuffing, which, it turns out, is far less gruesome than it sounds) and a busy beehive whose occupants are blissfully oblivious to the fact that they live in a Big Brother beehive. Note the intricate wooden structure supporting the roof on the top floor; it’s an exquisite example of 16th-century engineering, joining beams with pegs rather than nails.
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Three Crosses’ Mountain
The path to the right slightly uphill from the parish church, leads to the Three Crosses’ Mountain. If you’re coming from the watchtower, take the path to the left. There is some historical debate about the relationship between the crosses and the plague, which decimated the population of the town in 1708. It’s doubtful whether human remains found at the site when the crosses were erected in 1852 belong to plague victims. Some historians believe that the site was referred to as ‘cross mountain’ long before the cholera epidemic. Whatever the origins of its name, the mountain affords sensational views.
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Kazimierz Landscape Park
In 1979, the area around Kazimierz was decreed the Kazimierz Landscape Park . Many walking trails have been traced in its 15,000 hectares, winding through the distinct gorges of the region.
There are three easy short trails known as szlaki spacerowe (walking routes) signposted in yellow, green and red, and three significantly longer treks called szlaki turystyczne (tourist routes) marked in blue, green and red. Almost all these routes originate in the Rynek. The tourist office sells maps of the park and its trails.
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Zielona Tawerna
An old rustic house converted into a stylish restaurant with mismatched antique furniture, art on the walls, rugs on the floors and candles on the tables. There are many dining rooms to choose from throughout the creaking building and smooth tunes add a country-chic vibe to the ‘Green Tavern’. Meals, from the meaty mains to the vegetable platter, are lovingly prepared. Ingeniously, half-sized dishes can be ordered at 70% of the full price. Desserts and drinks are creative too – hot beer anyone?
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Parish Church
The Gothic Parish Church presiding over the Rynek was built in the mid-14th century but remodelled when Renaissance taste swept through Poland. The ornate wooden organ from 1620 sounds as lavish as it looks; organ recitals are often held here. Note the Renaissance stalls in the chancel and the stucco decoration of the nave's vault, a classic example of the Lublin-Renaissance style typical of the region. Be sure to raise an eyebrow at the stag-antler chandelier.
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Reformed Franciscan Church
The Reformed Franciscan Church, on the nearby hill, was built at the end of the 16th century but lost its original style with subsequent Baroque and neoclassical decorations. The Franciscan brethren were compelled to leave the church twice in history: first between 1866 and 1928 when the tsar ordered the annulment of the order; and later under the Nazi occupation, when the Gestapo appropriated the complex.
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Jewish Monument
The most overt reminder of the Jewish legacy of Kazimierz Dolny is the Jewish Monument in front of the old cemetery. The Nazis murdered some 3000 Jews from the town and its surrounds and desecrated the old cemetery. The Jewish Monument was assembled in 1984 from several hundred tombstone fragments collected here. The monument is just over 1km from the Rynek, on the road to Opole Lubelskie.
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Town Museum
The House of the Celej Family (Kamienica Celejowska), built around 1635, contains the Town Museum. Quaint though the archaeological specimens are, the real highlight here is the gallery showing the town’s artistic portrayal by artists who have returned over the years to refine their skills and share their perspectives on this small pocket of Poland.
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Castle
Originally built in 1341 as a stronghold against the Tartar incursion, the castle was extended in the 16th century and embellished further during the Renaissance. The castle fell into ruin after its partial destruction by the Swedes; the remaining fragments offer a pleasant view over the town and the Vistula.
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Former Synagogue
The 18th-century Former Synagogue was originally wooden. It was rebuilt in brick in the 18th century and became a cinema after WWII. Just behind is the reconstructed wooden building, which once housed the kosher butcher. There is little to signify that this area was once the Jewish quarter.
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Galeria Herbaciarnia U Dziwisza
Galeria Herbaciarnia U Dziwisza celebrate, nay, worship the decadence of hot beverages. The former is a civilised taste of an era when tea was a pastime; it boasts more than 100 varieties of tea leaf and an appealing range of calorie-rich accompaniments.
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Restauracja Kwadrans
In a solid wooden building with a high-ceilinged terrace, Kwadrans demonstrates a love of clocks and heavy food. There are slim pickings for vegetarians but those more inclined towards venison will be pleased. There are some hearty breakfasts on offer.
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Piekarnia Sarzyński
This bakery institution releases freshly baked aromas and trademark bread-dough roosters into Kazimierz Dolny each day. From breakfast right through to dessert, Sarzyński bakery offers an epic range of pastries, breads, cakes and hearty meals.
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Museum of Goldsmithery
The tiny Museum of Goldsmithery seems overpriced for its size, but some of the gold and silverwork collection is captivating. Jewellery lovers will be particularly enraptured with the unique modern designs upstairs.
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Knajpa U Fryzjera
For funky flavour fusions in a weathered old hair-salon, U Fryzjera is a prime choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. For the first meal of the day, perhaps try the ‘Day After Sick Kitten’ breakfast.
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Watchtower
The Watchtower, 200m uphill, was built a century before the castle and over the years served as a fortress, watchtower, lighthouse and prison. There is a panoramic view from the top of the 20m structure.
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Pod Wietrzną Górą
Pod Wietrzną can be expensive; meal price is calculated by weight and the slices of meat are generous. Otherwise, the meals are pleasant, as is the popular beer garden.
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Café Faktoria
Café Faktoria is a veritable temple to coffee and its loyal companion, chocolate; thrilling concoctions of both are brewing in various pots on the stove.
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Naleśnicki Francuskie
Naleśnicki Francuskie offers sweet and savoury crepes in casual compact surrounds.
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Restauracja Mandaryn
The Mandaryn serves Polish and international cuisine from one of the town’s more varied menus.
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