ROAD TO KIELCE

February 13 Elder Moon had a speaking assignment

in the Kielce Branch. It is about four and a half

hours drive so we decided to drive over on

Saturday and see some sites on the way.

Our first stop was in

BEDZIN

a small city north of Katowice.

On the lawn in front of a castle was this

monument to the Jews who were killed during the war.

Elder Moon on the way to the Bedzin Castle.

The original castle was built in the 13th Century.
It was destroyed and rebuilt several times with
some of the stones and wall area
remaining over the centuries.
The view of the city from the top of the castle wall.

CHAIN MAILS

Inside was a museum of artillery and weapons.
These are what was worn under the armor
of soldiers.
These are from the 16 to 18 centuries.

The ARMOR.

Here is a spearman's armor from the 1500's.

Also a full pikeman's armor from about 1600.

A complete set of armour would weigh about 40 kilograms

or about 88 pounds!!

I thought it interesting that there was even metal

armor to cover their fingers.

RIFLES
CROSS BOWS

OTHER WEAPONS

The oldest weapon was a sword found in the 1970's

that was dated from the 1000's!!

SPEARS

HELMETS &

CHEST ARMAMENTS

(Notice that some have indents in them!!

and not from a stone!)

BEDZIN CHURCH

Church built about near the castle.

SIEWIERZ CASTLE

This castle was built in the 14th century.

It is undergoing some renovation right now and is closed to

visitors. It sits on a slight hill and is seen from far away.

The other side where a drawbridge is being built over the

moat that goes all around the castle.

The big entrance door was locked.

The moat around the castle. Someplaces there was
frozen water and in some areas there were weeds.


DEER

I stood out in the big grassy field in the back of the castle

to get a better picture and then heard a thundering

sound from the left. Elder Moon called here are some

deer and I looked and sure enough there were deer running by.

I started clicking the camera in the direction of the sound

and was able to get some pictures. I just stood there and watched them.

There were three of them and they ran past me to the end

of the field, made a big circle there then ran back by me,

to the castle then turned into some weeds growing

behind some nearby homes.

It was like they were playing "follow the leader".

Through the camera lens I could not see them so I

was glad to capture them in some pictures.

JEDRZEJOW

This monestary was built about 1140 the first time

and had been added to over the years.

WOODEN CHURCH

There are many old wooden churches throughout
Poland and especially in this area.
Built in the 1700 and 1800's.
I haven't been isnside any of them but
I understand that they are very lovely and
even ornate.
This was in a city between Jedrzejow and Checiny.

CHECINY CASTLE

High on a hill overlooking and guarding

the city of Checiny is this huge castle.
Built about .

We climbed the hill and enjoyed the view and the

thrill of being there.

We even posed for a picture near the closed gate.

There was a very narrow path around the castle but

it was slippery and straight down so we didn't travel that way!

Elder Moon going down the path.

It was rather steep but we made it okay.

KIELCE

When we arrive in Kielce we met the

Elder and treated them to dinner. They took

us to a small Restaurant nearby.

Here they served perogi (the best I have had),

barszcz (delicious but not as good as Agata's),

beet salads and other typical foods.

The places we have eaten have been decorated

so very nice I have really enjoyed them and

this was no exception!!

Elder and Sister Moon, Elder Klosowiak and Elder Curtis.
SMACZNEGO!!

CHURCH IN KIELCE

The REAL reason for the trip was to attend the

group meeting in Kielce (not even a branch).

There are FOUR members of the group and

they usually ALL attend the

meetings held in a room of the Elder's apartment.

Here is President Najberg, Elder and Sister Moon,

Elder Klosowiak, and an investigator after the meetings.
I had wanted to get a picture of everyone there but the

others left quickly and three of them (including two

investigators did not stay for Sunday School).
I played the piano for the opening hymn

and Elder Klosowiak played for the other hymns.

He had memorized two hymns and he did well!!
After churh and before the Elders scheduled meeting

with investigators the six of us walked to a

nearby church and town center.

Statue to QuoVadis

.

PALACE OF BISHOPS

For many years it was used as a school.

A beautiful church in the center of town.
Built in the 17th century.

Inside it was covered with pictures, paintings,

gold decorations. Even the ceiling had

beautiful painting on it. It was sectioned off into

smaller sections and each had a painting.

This is the sign on the Church.

"Holy Mary Mother of God Pray for Us"

See the next post for our journey home.