I went to Krakow at the end of last month, and now that the liver-shock of free-flowing vodka and pickles has subsided, I feel I can write about it. I am constantly surprised by experiences I have when I am an accidental tourist (I was supposedly there for a “blue-skying brainstorming thingy” that frankly let me shivering. That may have been excessive vodka consumption or the cliche, I’m not sure) but especially when I look up rather than down at the pavement. Which brings me to the reason for this sounding off – why have I got this far in my life without learning the vocabulary of architecture?  “I love those twiddly bits on the top of those columns”, versus “wow,aren’t those volutes at the top of that doric column divine”…
 
Now I know you might think that qualifies me for an annual pass into Pseuds’ Corner ™ but really – my trip to Krakow actually exposed my utter lack of knowledge about architecture.  This is a concern fo me, because lately I’ve been admiring structures and wanting to discuss them.  Anyhow, the attached picture shows the town square by night.  Breathtaking. And if you are stuck for a destination for a weekend break, you could do worse. No stag parties that I saw, the hotels are quite reasonable and you can do proper tourist stuff too – there is a brilliant tour of a local salt mine too.  But that is a post for another time,I think…
 
So the upshot of this ignorance is to recommend a book – Rice’s Architectural Primer. It is written in a Tim Hunkin style and is unputdownable.  I am immersed in Spandrels and Mullions, and plan to be for some time while I investigate my home town, my new guide in hand….