Friday 20th August

Today was certainly a day of two parts.
We left Warsaw and headed for Krakow. The morning stop was at Czestochowa. One of the highlights of the trip – the home of the Black Madonna. We were organized to have our own guide, Father Simon. He took us all through the Basilica, including through the congregation and walked along the side of the church, up past the altar, behind the altar then down the other side. We were allowed to take photos without flash.
The black Madonna Icon was at the back of the main altar. The icon is covered with only the face of Jesus and Mary showing through. The covers over the icon are changed to suit the occasion and religious seasons.
The areas were indeed beautiful and the church itself was magnificent. Photos were taken but they don’t do justice.

After lunch we visited Auschwitz Concentration camp. We went via BIRKENAU which was an enormous camp about 1km away, which could house over a hundred thousand people. Auschwitz was much smaller and held only about 5,000.
The tour was depressing and while we must remember what happened here, we never wish to return.3 million Jews and other “undesirables” died in the various camps throughout Germany held territory. 430,000 Jews came from Hungary and 300,000 from Poland. They were even sent from as far a way as Finland and Greece - quite some distance for 1930’s trains.