Chasing local religious curiosities:

While we all know emblematic monuments and landmarks in the most recognised touristic urban environments, there are still many sites that became local heritage. Being awkward, bizarre and sometimes ugly, they are not appreciated by average tourist. However they are recognised by the locals and often constitute the points of references in people’s quotidian narratives, jokes, making appointments at, giving directions to navigate localities or simply experiencing something “special”. While many of such landmarks, for example a haunting, unfinished building, broken tree, gigantesque hotel, empty meadow etc. might carry some mysterious aura, most of them do not have any religious connotation. Does it mean that what we learn about local religious customs, traditions and imaginaries is only managed by established authorities and institutions, and does not grow from local experiences and perceptions? Is therefore the touristic top-down management the unique agent legitimised to narrate about the form and shape of local religious imaginaries and practices? Certainly not! Who is making the heritage? Heritage is determined by us, people "living on the ground"!

This route invites to explore the bizarre sites linked with religion and spirituality. By discovering particular places at this route you may ask yourself, what these materialities you will encounter tell you about the local culture and religion? Does it differ from what you get from the touristic guides?

Before starting exploring Cracow, buy a one day ticket for the city transport. You might see at the local transport one of the figures you will encounter later during your exploration! Have fun! The starting point is the Main Market Square.

When you dislocate for particular places, observe the surrounding, find the context, look at the landscape. Are places marked on the map somehow particular or rather common for the landscape? Search for the traces of these figures elswhere in the city. Good luck!

After few hours of crossing and cutting through Cracow, what do you think, what is the dominating religion in Cracow? Why do you think so? Did you encounter any facts that contradict your earlier knowledge about Kraków?

Keep searching for further curiosities!

This map was set up for HERIGEOCARTO workshop, led by dr Radosław Piskorski. It is supposed to be an educational route for 12 year olds.