Krakow: A Historic City in Poland – 02/2012

    Center map

    Krakow is a beautiful city in southern Poland, located on the Vistula River. The city has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, and is home to a number of historical landmarks, including the Wawel Castle, the Old Town, and the Jewish Quarter.

    The Wawel Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was once the seat of the Polish kings. The castle is now a museum, and houses a number of royal apartments, as well as a treasury, a cathedral, and a museum of arms and armor.

    The Old Town is a charming medieval quarter, and is home to a number of churches, palaces, and museums. The Old Town was heavily damaged during World War II, but has been carefully restored to its former glory.

    The Jewish Quarter is a historic district, and is home to a number of synagogues, cemeteries, and museums. The Jewish Quarter was also heavily damaged during World War II, but has been rebuilt and is now a vibrant and lively neighborhood.

    In addition to its historical landmarks, Krakow is also a great place to enjoy the Polish culture. The city has a number of restaurants, bars, and cafes, and there is always something going on. Krakow is also a great place to learn about Polish history and culture, and there are a number of museums and historical sites to visit.

     

    Here are some of the things you can do in Krakow:

    • Visit the Wawel Castle: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see for any visitor to Krakow.
    • Explore the Old Town: This charming medieval quarter is full of history and charm.
    • Visit the Jewish Quarter: This historic district is home to a number of synagogues, cemeteries, and museums.
    • Take a walk along the Vistula River: This beautiful river offers stunning views of the city.
    • Enjoy the Polish cuisine: Krakow has a number of great restaurants serving traditional Polish food.
    • Visit one of the many museums: Krakow has a number of great museums, including the National Museum, the Jagiellonian University Museum, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
    • Attend a concert or performance: Krakow has a vibrant cultural scene, and there is always something going on.

    Krakow is a great place to visit for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. The city has something to offer everyone, and is a great place to learn about Polish history and culture.

     

    Here are some tips for planning your trip to Krakow:

    • The best time to visit Krakow is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists.
    • Krakow is a relatively affordable city, so you can easily find good deals on accommodation and activities.
    • The city is very walkable, so you can easily get around without a car.
    • If you are planning on visiting any of the museums, be sure to buy a Krakow City Card, which gives you free admission to many of the city’s attractions.
    • Be sure to try the local food! Krakow has a number of great restaurants serving traditional Polish food.
    • Be sure to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. This important historical site is a sobering reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.
    • Take some time to explore the Jewish Quarter. This historic district is home to a number of synagogues, cemeteries, and museums.
    • Enjoy the nightlife in Krakow! The city has a vibrant nightlife scene, with something for everyone.

    I hope this helps!

    1. The Wawel Royal Castle – architectural complex which consists of the Castle, Cathedral, Churches and Chapel. Wawel was built in the XIII c. and represents the most significant cultural and historical site in the country.

    Wawel

    2. Wawel Dragon (Smok Wawelski) is a symbol of Wawel and Krakow. Used to breathe an intense flame every minute but this winter he “caught a cold” and kept silence.

    Wawel Dragon

    3. The Wawel Cathedral – Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus – main cathedral of polish catholic church. Through its long history (was built in XI c) every King that was ruling in Wawel decided to add something new to the Cathedral thus we can see a mix of architectural styles from various epochs.

    The Wawel Cathedral

    4. Renaissance styled Yard in the eastern and southern wings of the Palace (Renesansowy dziedziniec zamku).

    Renaissance Yard

    5. Bastion of Wladyslaw IV (Bastion Wladyslawa IV).

    Bastion

    6. Saints Peter and Paul Church in Krakow (Kosciol Swietych Apostolow Piotra i Pawla w Krakowie) – baroque church built between 1597-1617 by italian architect Bernardoni who had built Farny Church in Nesvizh before.

    Saints Peter and Paul Church

    7. St. Mary’s Basilica (Kosciol Mariacki w Krakowie) – one of the best examples of Polish gothic architecture, completed in 1347.

    St. Mary's Basilica

    8. St. Andrew’s Church (Kosciol swietego Andrzeja) – really old church, was built between 1079 and 1098. Amazing how it could survive almost through a millennium.

    St. Andrew's Church

    9. Basilica of Holy Trinity (Bazylika Swietej Trojcy w Krakowie) – also the old church built back to XIII c.

    Basilica of Holy Trinity

    10. Sleeping lion in Krakow.

    Lion

    11. And that’s it. See ya!

    Koniec
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