Krakow, Poland

Krakow lies on the Vistula River in southern Poland. Once the capital of Poland, Krakow is now home to about 750,000 people. Krakow has been designated a European City of Culture for 2000, and enjoys hordes of tourists. Although Krakow seems to sprawl out a bit, the most interesting parts of the city - Old Town (Stare Miasto) and the Old Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz) - are walkable. There are also a few places near Krakow that make for interesting day trips: Oswiecim, better known by its German name of Auschwitz, and Wielicka, where a UNESCO-protected salt mine is found.

Inside the Old Town, Wawel Castle is a gorgeous sight. Please click on the link below for more on it. Another main interest in the main square (Rynek Glowny).

Other sights of interest in Old Town are the old Florian Wall and the Barbikan, a small defensive bastion from the 1500's. There is also Jagiellonian University, the 2nd oldest university in eastern Europe (after the Charles University in Prague, of course).

The Old Jewish Quarter, or Kazimierz, originated in 1495 when the king of the time expelled all Jews from Krakow. There were approximately 65,000 Jews here pre-World War II - but all were forced out at one way or another by the Nazis. Today the Jewish population is about 100 people. Remaining in this mostly run-down quarter are several synagogues (8 or so)- which form an interesting and short walking tour, the Remuh Cemetery, and a nice square with several hotels and good Jewish restaurants.

Also of religious interest is that Karol Wojtyla, a.k.a. Pope John Paul II, grew up and served as archbishop here. There is statue commemorating his 60th birthday in the courtyard of the Bishop's Palace.

Be sure to try the pierogies (delicious little pastries, stuffed with vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes, mushrooms or onions, or with cheese, or with meats, then baked, boiled, or - preferably - pan-fried) if you get to Krakow.

Theatre

Barbikan

Links:

Poland National Tourist Office

Last updated 17.07.2001