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Sherlock's Genealogical Adventures

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Camaldolese Abby in Bielany

Poland Traditions & Interest

Tim Firkowski

Sunday, 21 August 2016

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There is a little bit of an interesting story behind this post. It has actually taken 5 years to complete my exploration into the Abby. In 2011, I was flying into Kraków & with the GPS camera I had I took a photo of an interesting structure on a hill. I was curious about what it was so I enlisted the help of family in the area & after using the GPS coordinates of the plane and looking at a map, we were able to determine that the structure I was interested in was Camaldolese Abby. It has only been this year that I have a chance to see it up close.

This is an active community of monks & men are allowed in to the this monastery complex anytime during designated hourly times. Women however are only allowed in 12 times a year on particular relegious holidays. You must be dressed appropriately with no shorts even for men. Women are not allowed to wear revealing clothing. At the time I was waiting to go in, there were some other men, but were not allowed in due to there in appropriate attire. Gosia new she would not be allowed in and waited on the bench outside.

After entering the main doors, I was allowed 5 minutes to look around and take some photo within the courtyard only. This is not a high traffic tour spot, so these photos are of a place not seen by many. I was able to complete my 5 year quest to learn more about this complex I saw from the airplane.

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About the author

Tim Firkowski

I have been doing genealogy research since 2002 & have worked full time as a Professional Genealogist since 2008. I specialize in Polish and American-Canadian Genealogy. As a member of APG, I was the 2010/2011 President of the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (NEAPG). I have Certificates of Completion for studies in "Foundations of Forensic Genealogy" and "Advanced Forensic Genealogy Techniques". I have been a volunteer librarian at the local Family History Center, and a genealogy research consultant at “Ask the Expert” Ancestry Road Shows. I have traveled to Poland numerous times & researched in churches and archives. At conferences and special events, you may find me dressed up in my Sherlock Holmes outfit, or my Kujawy (the folk costume from the region in Poland where my ancestors came from).