If you had walked down Karmelicka Street in Krakow just a couple of years ago, you would have noticed an ugly car park just past the intersection with Rajska Street. But, thanks to the citizens of Krakow, and their votes for what to do with the Citizens’ Budget the parking lot has been replaced with a beautiful park, named after the world-famous, Nobel-prize winning poet, Wisława Szymborska.
Krakow being an officially recognized UNESCO City of Literature, is evident here, as the famous artist’s work is intertwined throughout the green space. You can interact with an installation to create your own wordplay, or look for quotes from her work sprinkled throughout the space. There is flowing water that offers the most peaceful place to sit and read, or permanent umbrellas creating a bit of shade on the grassy lawn to lay on.
The park itself was very well thought out- but is different from others- as it does not include a playground for children. While they may find something to entertain themselves here, it seems the space is more geared towards adults, and providing a space within the city that feels a bit like a garden escape. There are trees that once mature, may even provide a snack, as part of the program Edible Krakow. Even the ponds and flowing fountain have greenery growing from them, in what will surely be a large water garden as it grows.
Before the park was unveiled, this area was just a dirty car park you could pay to use when you drove into the city. But before that, it was a military parade ground, part of the nearby barracks from the 1800s. When work on the park began, they discovered remains from the space’s previous use as a military area, and were able to restore some of those elements here- just check out the walls bordering the park. According to the city of Krakow, “At the beginning of April 2023, during construction works in the western part of the park…the remains of old buildings were discovered. On April 17, the conservation committee met and decided to carry out an architectural inventory of the foundations of the former facility. It was also decided that the trees would be planted in such a way that they would not collide with the underground relics, which were preserved as much as possible.”
The stream running through the park- with accompanying tree landscapes, will help to lower the ambient temperature of the park, something the city of Krakow is constantly trying to do with every new green space that is developed. There are over 125 trees planted here, shrubs and flowers in the thousands, and over 1000 plants just in the water landscapes of the park.
The park was opened on Wisława Szymborska’s 100th birthday; July 2nd 2023- and you will find pieces paying homage to the famed poet and artist throughout. Quotes from her most famous poems have been made into pieces of steel art; a wall of random things calls upon Szymborska’s habit to collect things of a random nature; and the umbrellas that recently appeared on the lawn call back to Szymborska’s known habit of losing them. Of course the most obvious homage to the writer is the huge new piece of art in the park- a larger-than-life rendition of “Nothing Twice” surrounded by designs that were pulled from her always interesting collage pieces.
Don’t forget- if you have any questions about Krakow- get in touch! You can find us on all social media @KrakowExplorers or contact us here.
@krakowexplorers 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣➕ Things to do in Krakow (4/500) Visit Szymborska Park: The park is named after one of Poland’s most famous artists, Wisława Szymborska, who was a well-known and celebrated poet, essayist, and artist. Szymborska spent much of her life in Krakow, and died here in 2012. Her work has been translated and is well known all over the world- but- back to the park itself! This much welcomed green space in the city of Krakow, was decided upon by the residents themselves, and upon closer inspection, presents a very unique landscape, in a place where just a few years ago was just a car park. Michał Rusinek, the president of the Szymborska Foundation stated, “I am glad that our city did not erect a monument to her, but that it sowed and planted her… it commemorated her in a form, that I am convinced, would suit her best.” The park itself features pieces of Szymborska’s work throughout, and also has varying types of plants, from a fruit orchard, to a stream, the city has presented a truly unique place for walking, lounging, or even laying on the grass under the permanent umbrellas. We look forward to watching the plants here continue to grow and thicken. Next, we will be sharing the new piece of street art that decorates this park as the next item on our list. #krakow #thingstodoinkrakow #freewalkingtoursinkrakow
One Comment Add yours