I have a weakness for promenades. They allow you to spend time slowly and walking them down is an obligatory item of all the trips to all kinds of resorts where such promenade becomes an informal catwalk where people present their season outfits. But not only like that, Płock is not a resort after all, but there is a pier. It’s neither the oldest one nor the longest. But its’ location is perfect – at the foot of Tumski Hill, it has a modern architecture and good coffee once one reaches the end thereof.
When autumn offers summer temperatures it’s hard to seat at home. Making a virtual circle 100km long (from Warsaw) – we decided to go to Płock. We could afford such trip taking into consideration that we had only half of Sunday at our disposal. Remembering the visit made a few years ago we wanted to show to our kids the view from the coats of Vistula. Walking down the pier was supposed to be a highlight of the trip.
We started with short but action – packed visit paid to Stary Rynek (Old Market Square) dominated by classical town – hall built in 19th century and quite modern fountain named Afrodyta. Strolling among Sunday tradesmen and tenements, among which the oldest one remembers 17th century, we were absorbing the slow atmosphere unable to be found in central points of Polish cities. And nervously took the children out of stylish lanterns.
Passing from the market square to Wzgórze Tumskie takes just a moment. When my son stuck his nose to glass fence preventing people from 40 meter journey down I remembered Perugia where one may find very similar promenade. And my son screaming: what a nice view! Here, the views are impressing too, although quite different from red roofs of Italian towns.
At the beginning we wanted to reach pier going downstairs but the common sense projecting gloomy vision of return trip upstairs, prevailed. We followed its voice and drove the car which proved to be a very good decision. Thank you, common sense, to appear sometimes!
Later there was just a sunset, sitting on deckchairs, gulls and wind in hair. Paying visit to Molo Cafe resulted in both consumption of products offered there and taking into possession the deckchairs located there. On which my children did, what is usually done during the sunset – played games on the cell phones J I decided not to think about on-line generation. There was beautiful weather, sunset, water, deckchairs and beautiful view.
Suddenly the summer came back.
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If you feel like spending Sunday in Płock? (or on any other day of the week?)
Visit the antiquities. Płock is the town which reaches to the very beginning of the dynasty establishing Poland as a state. Mazovia Dukes’ Castle (Zamek Książąt Mazowieckich) together Benedictine Abbey is an obligatory position.
More information: www.mdplock.pl
Enjoy art nouveau. In Mazovian Museum there were gathered impressing collections of exhibits and art connected with art nouveau. There is also one of two paintings of Tamara Łempicka, located in Poland, presenting still life (the second painting is shown in National Museum in Warsaw).
More information: www.muzeumplock.art.pl
Pay respect to the Ruler Bolesław Krzywousty. Precisely – his five meter high monument which was unveiled in 2012. It’s worth remembering that in Płock exactly, in 1086 the ruler was born and is buried in Royal Chapel of Cathedral Basilica in Płock together with his father – Władysław Herman. Monument is located at Duke Square which is easily accessible while walking toward Vistula.
Exactly – Holy Mary Ascension Cathedral Basilica! It’s a obligatory point for admirers of sacral architecture. It’s one of the oldest churches in Poland, representing Roman style, which have witnessed the knighting of Bolesław Krzywousty. In the first (wooden) version it was constructed in 1099. Very precious Płock Door, masterpiece of roman art, lead to its interior, but in unexplained circumstances found itself in Nowogród where there still is. In basilica one may see precise copy thereof.
More information: www.katedraplock.pl
Think about 13 executed. On the 13 Executed Square. Unfortunately there is a lot of such places in Poland. During the WW II such executions were part of ghastly everyday life. In Płock too. 18th September 1942 the 13 members of Resistance were hanged there. This day is reminded by plaque located there.
Look for murals. There are a few in Płock. M – City piece of art for instance, on the wall near the Płock Art Gallery (Sienkiewicza Street 36) or painting of a Foxy&Wiur duet (Kwiatka Street 14) presenting a girl on a motorcycle.
Take pictures of PKN Orlen Rafinery. After dark necessarily. I didn’t manage to but I shall be back there 
