Around town in August

Here are a few photos of things we've seen/done around Szczecin in the last few weeks. I am way behind, I know! Our darling Matthew is a delight, but I do not get much done during the day with him around and into everything!

Saturday, the 1st of August, before we went over to our house we spent some time exploring more! We first went over to the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle. We'd heard that there was a theater series of plays for children on Saturdays during the summer. Alas, it was only during July and since it was August 1st it was over. But we did walk in the museum part and saw some paintings, armor, and the crypts of several Pomeranian Dukes. Since my good camera is on the fritz and the lighting was bad, I do not have any photos from inside, and I cannot seem to locate any photos from the outside other than this one, but never fear, I'm sure we'll be back! In fact, we were back recently (that's another post) and I believe I took a few photos of the courtyard then.

Looking back towards the castle

 After the castle, we went back to Haymarket Square in Old Town to go in the City Museum.  (I previously posted pictures of this area.) Emmy really loved going into the museum.

Front of the Old Town Hall

Hard to capture a good photo, but you can see the windows appear to be tilted. They are! We were unable to talk to anyone in English, but it appears the whole building is leaning slightly. Very odd! 

Another view of the back of the Old Town Hall/City Museum

I cannot remember now what this building is. I'll have to go back and look at my tourist map! It is one of the 40 stops on the Szczecin walking tour. 

Looking from the pedestrian bridge back towards the Brama Portowa (one of the old city gates). The river (and Old Town) are behind us and the Baslica is to our right.

First time on the tram! We did it! 

We love public transportation! 

Walking down the street to our house.

Monday, Aug. 3rd we met up with Zuzanna, the baby-sitter for the former occupants of our house. She was very lovely and we enjoyed meeting her and she showed us around Szczecin a bit. We walked quite a long time, all the way from the hometel to the Town Hall, the huge green space and park behind it, to the Rose Garden, and then to a tram stop to head back to the hometel. It was a lovely afternoon!

Walking towards the current City Hall and the big park behind it, Park Kasprowicza. 

Emmy loved Miss Zuzia! She went to the U.S. to spend a couple of months with her fiance's family, but we look forward to her coming back so she can baby-sit! 

Some pretty sculptures along our walk past the park. 

The Rose Garden, which we now know is pretty close to our house! 

Tram riding pros.

Chicken and spices flavored chips. They were...interesting. 

Saturday the 15th of August we went exploring a bit with Katie. We drove to the other side of the river, to an area that used to be used by companies at the port. There are a lot of old warehouses and equipment there. There is an effort to turn this area into a destination with shops, restaurants, etc. There is a marina being built for private boats that will soon be complete, and more. We came across this restaurant with an outdoor seating area and we needed some refreshment, so we stopped for a bit. 

Emmy taking a photo of her fancy ice cream treat. 

Pedestrian bridge...to nowhere! The building behind us is still under construction, we are not sure what it will be. Part of the new marina is to the left. 

You can see the Embankments with the government buildings in the background. 

Looking back the other way to the area being redeveloped. The building in the center houses the restaurant, where we ate outside, and there is a gift shop, gallery, and some other offices inside. 

Katie and Me, with the Embankments behind us. The buildings in the background are still original buildings. They were spared by the bombings during the war. I've heard two stories, that they used the embankments as a landmark so they knew where to bomb the port area to destroy ships and shipments, and also that they planned to use the government buildings for heir headquarters so that is why they were spared. Either way, the city is lucky to have these lovely original buildings, two of which are government buildings, and one is the Maritime Academy. 

Being silly after supper one night. 

On the way home from dinner a couple of weeks ago, I snapped a photo of this pretty area in town. I took a photo so we'd remember to come back and check out some restaurants here. The symbol of Szczecin is in the stone in the foreground. 

Emmy and Charles, walking down our street.