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Krakow
Trip Planning & Itineraries
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Kraków came through WWII unscathed; the 20th century's impact having been confined to acid rain. It has retained a wealth of old architecture from different periods; the tallest structures dominating Kraków's skyline are the spires of old churches. It's a city alive with character and soul.
Ringed by parkland, the Old Town is both charming and compact. The Main Market Square is flanked by historic buildings, museums and churches. St Adalbert's Church is one of the oldest, dating back to the 10th century. And the museum of museums, Czartoryski Museum, exhibits a fascinating and impressive collection of European art.
Best of Krakow: Top 3 Must-Do Experiences
Best of Krakow: Suggested Itineraries
Forget Prague, for my money Krakow is Europe's prettiest city. It's certainly one of the best preserved. So much so that in 1978 UNESCO included the Old Town on its first World Heritage List. Although slated for destruction by Hitler, it never happened and earlier invaders such as the Tatars, Swedes and Austrians also tended to add to rather than destroy this historic and lovely city dating from the 7th century.
Day 1: The Old Town and Jewish Quarter
The Old Town centers on Rynek Glowny, the old market square which is said to be the largest in Europe. The area was laid out in 1257 and has changed little, although the buildings surrounding it have been altered and added to over the years. Dominating the square is the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), once the center for the booming cloth trade. Don't miss the Mariacki church (St Mary's Church), the most important in Poland after Wawel Cathedral. Every hour on the hour this church sounds a bugle across the city. Legend has it that long ago a witch turned ancient knights into pigeons which flew to the roof of St Mary's Church, and threw down stones which became gold to help the fight to unify Poland. Alas, the Prince squandered the money and the knights remain pigeons - you can't miss them all hanging around the square! From here run narrow, largely pedestrian-only streets which you should wander slowly. Enjoy the architecture, the pace of life, the many monuments, nearly 20 churches and dozen museums. Surrounding it all is the Planty Gardens, a ring-shaped park which was once the city's moat. St. Florian's Gate is the remnant of the admirable fortifications which made Krakow one of the most secure cities in Europe around 1500, as well as being once of the wealthiest. This gate is the historic entrance to the city, and the starting point of the Royal Way leading all the way to Wawel Castle.
In the afternoon, head for nearby Kazimierz, the former Jewish district. Here you'll find wonderful bars and cafes deep in the labyrinth of old streets and low buildings. The area dates from 1335 and was once a town in its own right. Look out for the Corpus Christi Church, the Tempel Synagogue and ulica Szeroka - the heart of the old Jewish district. Also the two cemeteries, the Remuh and the New, are worth a look.
Day 2: Wawel Castle and Cathedral
Put aside most of the day to really do justice to the beauty and history of Wawel. This was the seat of Polish kings for over 500 years and even once the capital moved to Warsaw, this remained the symbolic heart of Poland. The current Wawel Cathedral dates from 1320-64. It's filled with royal sarcophagi and art and is a great journey though the history of Poland. Most recently it produced Poland's first pope. Make sure you see the Sigismund Chapel, a beautiful Renaissance chapel sitting under the golden dome you see from outside. Superstition abounds: the huge prehistoric animals bone hanging outside the catherdral are believed to protect its existence, and the patron saint of Poland St Stanislaus cursed the whole royal line when he was beheaded by King Boleslaw in 1079. Opposite the cathedral is the Cathedral Museum.
Move on to Wawel Castle. This was the political and cultural centre of Poland until the 17th century. Today it houses a museum in five sections - each has a separate ticket and entrance. Hindus believe the castle sits on one of the earth's Chakras as created by Lord Shiva and many people agree Wawel is a unique place with a strong energy.
Day 3: Twentieth Century Krakow: War and Communism
Although spared destruction during WW2, Krakow's population was decimated. Of the city's 260,000 residents in 1939, 65,000 were Jewish. Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was established not far from Krakow and approximately 1.5 million people died there. A visit is sobering, haunting and commemorative.
After the war, Krakow was left behind the Iron Curtain of Communism. Stalin gifted the city a major industry - a means of ensuring its prosperity, but unfortunately the pollution from the steelworks has done more to damage the beautiful city's buildings than all of history's invasions and conquerings. The resulting new industrial town of Nowa Huta and other suburbs trebled the size of Krakow and it is now Poland's third largest city.
An earlier industry of Krakow was the Wieliczka Salt Mine, fascinating for it UNESCO listed carvings. Also nearby are the Tatra Mountains, Poland's winter playground and home to quaint wooden villages.
Best of Krakow: Top 3 Restaurants
Best of Krakow: Top 3 Hotels
Krakow Eating & Drinking
By Polish standards, Krakow is a foodies' paradise. The Old Town is tightly packed with gastronomic venues, serving a wide range of cuisines catering to all. Krakow has plenty of budget eateries called jadłodajnia offering hearty Polish home-style meals for a song. There are more than 100 bars and pubs in Krakow's Old Town alone. Some offer snacks or meals but most are just watering holes. Many are in vaulted cellars and are patronized by chain-smoking Poles. And many don't close until the wee hours of the morning. If beer and nicotine aren't your scene, there are plenty of tea and coffee houses around town.
- Plan Krakow vacations on Yahoo! Travel
- Poland hotels from PlanetWare
- Krakow hotels from HotelsCombined.com
- English-language news from The Krakow Post
From USD $36.76
Auschwitz-Birkenau half-day trip
Started in 1940 as a concentration camp for Polish political prisoners in 1942, it became the center for extermination of European Jews.
