About Krakow

Krakow lies in the southern part of Poland on the Vistula River in a valley at the foot of the Carpathian Plateau, 219 meters above sea level.

Krakow used to be the capital of Poland for many centuries. Drawing great scholars and artist from all over the world and having a rich legacy of unique historical relics, Krakow reflects the most important trends in European culture.

The renaissance Royal Castle at Wawel, the gothic St Mary's Basilica, the historical trade pavilions of the Cloth Hall, the former separate Jewish city of Kazimierz, and even the Nowa Huta district, absorbed by Krakow together with its socialist-realist, industrial architecture, are all places which make a visit to Krakow extremely worthwhile.

Thanks to its rich history, Krakow represents a synthesis of all things Polish, connecting tradition with modernity. Galleries full of exhibitions, cafes, pubs and restaurants: all of this is an integral part of any visit to Krakow.

Attractions

The city of Krakow is unique due to the rare cultural heritage emobied in the city´s walls. Worth visiting, is the Royal Caste built on Wawel Hill, which became the coronation and burial place of kings, before Krakow was the capital of Poland from the 11th to the 17th century.

Additionally, tradition together with modern times is visible nearly everywhere you go, and each stone has its own history. City life is focused around the Market Square, which is the second largest in Europe after St. Mark's Square in Venice.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, placed on the southeast outskirts of Krakow, has been worked for more than 900 years. It used to be one of the worlds biggest industrial establishments when common salt was commercially a medieval equivalent of todays oil. In the 18th cenutry the Wieliczka Salt Mine became a tourist attraction as common purpose. Nowdays, visitors walk underground for about 2,000 m in the oldest part of the salt mine and visit the subterranean museum. The tourist rute starts 64 m deep, includes 20 chamber and ends 135 m below the surface of the earth.

There is a sanatorium for those suffering from astma and allergy situated 135 m deep underground in the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

UNESCO has entered the Wieliczka Salt Mine in its World Heritage Register.

From Krakow there is about 70 km to the remians of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Both camps are now established as museums and memorials to the victims. A guided visit makes it possible to understand this unique place more fully. The guided tour requires at least three and a half hours.

There is an estimation of 6,000 architectural monuments, presenting buildings and other structures. This is supplemented by approximately 2.5 million artifacts collected and displayed in museums, churches and archives. Thanks to the extraordinary accumulation of cultural wealth, the city was registered as one of the 12 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Benefiting from its geographical location, Krakow, aiming to become a meeting place of many cultures and nations, has successfully claimed its position as a Central European metropolis - a city of culture, art and science. Several universities are located in Krakow and many world-famous representatives of Polish culture reside in the city.

More information about Krakow can also be found here.