Kraków

Situated in the southeast of the country, between the Jura uplands and the Tatra Mountains, on the banks of the Wisla (Vistula) River, Krakow is a vibrant city with great cultural and historical dignity. It is now well established as a major tourist destination, apart from being a thousand-year-old centre of culture, art, and science. Poland's former capital, and the second largest city, was labeled World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978, thanks to its having one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe. Dozens of churches cover almost every architectural period and are surrounded by monasteries and abbeys. The Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square), laid out in 1257, is the largest medieval market square in Europe - as well as a remarkable set piece fronted by elegant facades. It is dominated by the 16th-century Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), which continues to perform its role as a trading centre with lively market stalls and pavement cafés in and around the building. The surrounding lanes of the Stare Miasto (Old Town) are ringed by the Planty, a leafy, linear park that follows the line of the Old Town walls. The voluminous hulk of Wawel Hill, to the south, is home to Wawel Castle, the seat of Polish kings from the 11th to the early 17th century. It was at this location, in 1000 AD, that the bishopric of Krakow was established and the Cathedral remains the spiritual home of Poland.
In the nearby Kazimierz, the Jewish culture of the area is being revived, with lively art galleries, Jewish restaurants and regular cultural events. Having largely fallen into decline during World War II, Kazimierz is currently undergoing something of a renaissance.
 The city's cultural heritage finds its reflection in Krakow's intellectual achievements - the Jagiellonian University is one of the oldest European universities, as well as the oldest and most prestigious one in Poland. Its most prominent graduates were, among others, Nicolaus Copernicus and Pope John Paul II.
Map of Krakow >>

Why Kraków ? (Curios)

• because in Krakow, planets and stars were relocated! Here, Nicolaus Copernicus for the first time thought of placing the Sun in the centre of the universe, with Earth revolving around it!
• because Krakow's Wawel is the site of the stone concentrating cosmic and earth's energy - czakram (also called The Lotus Flower, or The Seventh Stone of Fortune) - one of the seven glands of Earth to be found in New Delhi, Mecca, Delphi, Jerusalem, Rome and Velehrad!
• because Krakow's famous sorcerer, Jan Twardowski, a nobleman at the court of King Sigismund August, and a friend of Faust, the German magus studying in Krakow (at that time - one of the European capitals of alchemy), was probably the first man to set his foot on the surface of the moon!
• because Krakow's Jagiellonian University is one of the oldest ones in Europe, and the oldest and most prestigious university in Poland, founded in 1364!
• because Krakow was home to Poland's greatest assembly of Nobel Prize Laureates!
• because for many years Krakow was home to the Pope John Paul II!
• because Krakow is the first and only city in Poland to be granted the honourable title of Altera Roma (the second Rome)!
• because Krakow's Main Square was the greatest market of the medieval Europe (4 hectares, 3 acres, and 34 square metres)!
• because Sukiennice (The Cloth Hall) in the centre of Krakow's Main Square is the oldest department store in Poland (757 years) - and is still running today as a unique hypermarket with a Gothic soul!
• because the florists' stalls on Krakow's Main Market have been blooming there since the 16th century!
• because Krakow's Blonia, this magic meadow spreading over 48 hectares and inviting for walks and recreation, is Poland's greatest pasture located in the heart of a great city!
• because Krakow's pigeons are, in fact, medieval knights turned into birds, and therefore must be protected!
• because Krakow's famous bugle-call, since 1927 played every hour on the hour from the tower of St Mary's Church, and transmitted on the radio at noon - is the oldest broadcast in the history of world broadcasting.
• because Krakow never could, and still cannot live without music - and music feels best in Krakow, where it is understood best!
• And last but not least: because it is no hackneyed phrase to say that no other city has such hackney carriages!