Castles always fall; are we listening?

– Andrew and Mr. T. walking by the castle

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10

Saturday the fog continued. This time it didn’t blow off in the morning. It stayed all day, reducing visibility to a few hundred yards and closing down the airport.

But we had plans. Andrew rented a car and the family headed an hour out of Krakow to explore an exceptionally cool castle in the valleys to the southeast.

This fortress would have been foreboding at any time, but Wiśnicz Castle overdelivered in terms of atmosphere and mystery and gravitas.

The site dates to around 1370 but has been modified, sacked, repaired, destroyed again and rebuilt many times over its 650 years.

But what a beautiful location! Built atop a hill commanding the Leksandrówka valley the site is both educational and well curated for adults while at the same time serving as an expansive playground for our grandson, Mr. T..

Additionally, and built into the wall, a top class restaurant provided a relaxing lunch along with really great mulled wine. Hot mulled wine may not sound all that exciting but it’s a different story when it’s below freezing outside and the icy fog is working its way into every crevice – not only of the castle but our winter coats and gloves and more.

– Rebekah, overlooking the site from the parapets

There is no respite from the cold in an unheated stone castle in the middle of the winter.

The castle may have been freezing, but my heart continues to be warmed beautifully when I look up to see our son and our grandson.

I don’t know why, but seeing them together almost always gives me a lump in the throat. Andrew is such a good dad and Mr. T. such an amazing little boy.

The story of history:

Castles tell the story of history, and the constant struggle people engage in to seize and to maintain power. Castles are cautionary tales, and if we pay attention maybe we can learn from the stories they have to tell.

But are we listening? Will we ever learn? So long as we believe the lies that are constantly being whispered in our ears we will repeat too many of the mistakes rather than learn the lessons.