A bus in Krosno, Poland, May 2025

As mid-May 2025 arrives, I continue to enjoy my time in southern Poland, relishing the slower rhythm of home, the gentle landscapes, and the quiet anticipation of welcoming my Venezuelan friend Leo, who will soon be arriving from Spain. These days have been a gift—calm, nourishing, and full of small joys.
 
The weather has been particularly kind. It’s not hot—just pleasantly mild—with long hours of daylight, bursts of sunshine, and occasional rain showers that lend the air a soft, romantic quality. The greenery around Nowy Sącz is intense and fresh, the kind that only exists in spring. Trees are in full bloom, rivers flow high, and the scent of lilacs and damp earth carries on the breeze.
 
In this serene atmosphere, I’ve taken the opportunity to revisit some of my favourite local places and to explore a few forgotten ones. A few days ago, I returned once again to Miasteczko Galicyjskie in Nowy Sącz—one of the region’s most charming historical sites. And then, almost on a whim, I decided to head east and visit Krosno, a town I hadn’t set foot in for many years. The trip turned out to be a delightful surprise.
 
Miasteczko Galicyjskie – A Living Time Capsule
 
The Galician Town (Miasteczko Galicyjskie) in Nowy Sącz is a remarkable open-air museum, part of the Ethnographic Park that recreates the life and architecture of a 19th-century Galician town—a region that once formed the easternmost crown land of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Walking through its cobbled streets is like stepping into a different time.
 
The town is composed of historically accurate wooden and brick buildings: a town hall, an inn, a post office, a barber’s shop, artisan workshops, and typical townhouses from across the former Galicia region. It’s a place that blends education with charm, offering visitors a tangible sense of how our ancestors lived, worked, and socialised. As always, I loved wandering through it—imagining conversations in Yiddish, Polish, and German; imagining horses trotting through the square and candles flickering behind small-paned windows.
 
It’s a site I return to often because it reminds me of the complexity of our local heritage—Polish, Jewish, Lemko, and Hungarian threads all woven together in what was once a vibrant multicultural tapestry. The Galicia of memory may be gone, but places like this help keep its spirit alive.
 
A Journey to Krosno – A Forgotten Gem Rediscovered
 
I hadn’t been to Krosno in years—so long, in fact, that I could hardly remember what it looked like. My expectations were modest, but as I entered the town and began to explore, I found myself genuinely impressed—even moved—by what I discovered.
 
Krosno, often called the “Glass City,” is located in the Subcarpathian region and has a history that stretches back to the Middle Ages. Once a thriving trade centre on the Hungarian route, Krosno developed a reputation for craft, commerce, and learning. In modern times, it became world-famous for its glass manufacturing, and its products are still exported around the globe.
 
But what captivated me most was the Old Town, which has undergone excellent restoration. The main square is beautifully preserved, with pastel façades, arcaded buildings, and the proud Tower of the Parish Church rising at the centre. The renovation has been done with care, preserving the character of the town without making it feel artificial or “overdone.” There’s authenticity in the details—old signs, cobblestone alleys, flower boxes, and the sound of church bells echoing off the stone.
 
Getting there was half the pleasure. The drive from Nowy Sącz took me through a series of winding roads and picturesque villages and small towns—each with its own rhythm and charm. Wooden churches, quiet meadows, roadside shrines, and sleepy town squares reminded me of how scenic and soul-stirring the Polish countryside can be when taken slowly.
 
Looking Ahead
 
As I write this, I’m feeling very grateful—for the calm of these days, for the beauty I’ve been able to rediscover, and for the time I’ve had with Mum, family, and close friends. And of course, I’m especially excited about Leo’s upcoming visit. I can’t wait to share some of this beauty with him, to show him the mountains, the towns, and the life here that feels so rooted and grounded. I know he’ll love it.
 
There’s still more time left in this holiday, and I plan to savour every remaining moment: more local excursions, more shared meals, more quiet walks, and meaningful conversations. After all the movement and distant places, these days close to home feel just as important—if not more so.

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