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Krakow
has among Polish cities a position and is an absolute must to visit.
That is due to its historical importance and an enormous cultural
heritage. Since the Middle Ages, when Krakow became Polish capital,
it has stayed preserved and full of specific charisma. In contrast
to Warsaw with its busy downtown and skyscrapers, Krakow is a city
thoroughly old, abounding in cafes, university buildings and sacral
architecture.
For more than five hundred years (1038-1596), the Royal Court resided in Cracovian castle Wawel above the Vistula river. After Swedish kings transferred the capital to Warsaw, Krakow remained the intellectual and artistic centre of the country and after the Partition of Poland, also the focal point of the national revival. At that time Krakow belonged to Austro-Hungarian monarchy, a fact still echoed among Cracovians.
Visiting Krakow requires adaptation to its non hasty rhythm, a great deal of pubs, cafes, clubs or restaurants and getting ready for a lot of sightseeing. Moreover, Krakow can also fit as a great base for further travels around Southern Poland.
Most of our apartments are desirably located between the castle, the old city and Kazimierz or right inside the Old Town.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The Royal Castle - like in a proper fairy tale it rests on a hill above river and is protected by a dragon (his iron statue is in the lair where the beast lived). Renaissance style and the cathedral tower dominate the old royal precinct. The solemn Wawel cathedral was built on the shrine of the Polish patron Saint Stanislaus - visiting this place do not miss the Sigismund and Holy Cross chapels. The Renaissance castle chambers still give an impression of an ancient residence including the throne hall. Besides, special attention should be given to an exquisite collection of Flemish tapestries, rich treasury and the armoury.
Main Square - probably the largest one in Europe, elegant,
vibrant and unforgettable. In the middle the oldest shopping mall
in Poland - Sukiennice (cloth hall) and a lonely tower reminding
of what used to be the town hall. A few meters away from Sukiennice
you will find the Gothic St.Mary’s Church (1222) with the largest
wooden altar carved by Viet Stwoss. One of the most charming traditions
is „hejnal” - a bugle call played every hour from the four sides
of the highest tower of St. Mary’s church. Interesting historic
landmarks are scattered around neighbouring streets, lanes and squares
- there are more than thirty museums and galleries.
Recently two new walking routes were established in the Old Town. Firstly, the University Route leads around the premises of Jagellonian University, established in 1364 by Casimir the Great (the second oldest north of the Alps). The other route commemorates the Cracovian period of John Paul II. He was the Archbishop of Krakow before his election to Pope in 1978 and spent most of his life here.
Kazimierz District was immortalized in Spielbergs’s Oscar movie The Schindler’s List. Its sombre ghetto-like atmosphere is well perceptible in chilly winter months. Kazimierz contains until now numerous monuments of Jewish, especially sacral architecture, including an Old Synagogue dating back to the 15th century and the main Jewish flea market.
If you are staying longer, do not miss Cracovian man-made mounds, the oldest originate in the 7th century. Two come from modern times and became main tourist attractions: The Kościuszko and the Piłsudski Mounds. Close from the Pilsudski Mound is the large Błonia field which accommodated nearly 3 million pilgrims during the last Pope’s visit.
Quite unexpectedly, The biggest socialist realism settlement in entire Poland is at the eastern part of the town. The waste residential land of Nowa Huta displays some interesting features of Stalininist architecture and is worth going if you want to see the darker sides.
BEYOND KRAKOW:
Krakow is encircled by lovely countryside with the densest concentration
of tourist sights in Poland. They are accessible from Krakow by
rail. The most flexible solution is, however, a cost-effective car
rental. You can do several one-day trips.
Wieliczka Salt Mines - a suburb of Krakow, an underground labyrinth of tunnels, domed halls and splendid chapels. Everything carved from salt more than 100 meters underground. Some corridors go more than 300 meters below the surface.
Tatra Mountains - The highest mountain ridge in Eastern Europe,
the highest Polish mountain peak Rysy is 2444 metres high. The national
park abounds in beautiful geographical formations, unspoilt nature
and picturesques villages. You can leisurely stroll or hike from
both Polish and Slovak sides. Travellers are usually based in the
centre, in the famous town of Zakopane. We can find you accommodation
also in highlander challets and recommend which Slovak areas you
should visit.
Auschwitz Memorial in Oświecim - The strongest symbol of holocaust, a museum made on the premises of Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz II (Birkenau).
Ojców National Park - An area of outstanding natural beauty (limestone rocks, gorges) adorned with two mediaeval castles.
Spisz Region and the Dunajec River - A traditional country region with preserved village culture, proximity of mountains and a handful of castles.
Częstochowa - The spiritual centre of Poland with the most important monastery Jasna Góra, close to it a beautiful romantic ruin Olsztyn. (a little off-hand, possible to see on the way to Warsaw).
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