The surroundings of Krakow are exceptional. Jurassic hills covered with thick forests have embraced the city for ages. It sits on the banks of the longest river flowing through the country, the Vistula River. The city has many parks, the "green belt" around the Old Town, and two lakes in a short distance from the centre.
Its history goes back to the medieval times, when it had already been known in Europe. In the eleventh century it became the capital of Poland and the principal seat for the rulers of the following dynasties up till the seventeenth century.
Krakow has retained not only the name, the Royal Capital City of Krakow, but also the grandiose of the old times, when under the mighty Jagiellons in the sixteenth century, Poland was one of the largest countries in Europe.
In its shields, it has an open gate. This is symbolic of our city, which has always offered its hospitality, beauty, and the unexplainable unique atmosphere.
In the middle of the city, on the high rock called Wawel hill, first kings of Poland located their castle and cathedral already in the eleventh century. The new castle was built in the renaissance style, and is now a fully furnished museum, while the cathedral rebuilt in the gothic style, is still a regular church attended by the Cracovians for Sunday masses and prayers. The hill is an ideal view point. From here stretches the panorama of the city ; to the East and South, Podgorze, the largest district of Krakow. It was a separate Galician town belonging to the Habsburgs up till WWI. The first TV station in Krakow was built there on the top of one hill. It still transmits the " Kronika ", the review of everyday events in our city. Farther South, a high tower of the recently built basilica in the Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy shrine.
The shrine attracts millions of pilgrims from across the world every year. At a close distance, the house where Pope John Paul II lived, when as a student moved in to Krakow. Then, Tadeusz Kosciuszko Mound, which the Cracovians piled up to pay homage to the national hero of Poland and America. In the background, two monasteries, the Kamedula, and the Benedictine one, from the eleventh century, which has a very special offer. It has some rooms to let, like a hotel, where you can find peace, and a quiet shelter from this speedy life, where one can ponder not being disturbed.
Finally, a breath-taking view over the Old Town. From the hill one can see the oldest street in Krakow, the spires of many churches, at the end St. Mary's church and the Town Hall tower. And that is where the top of the iceberg begins.
Krakow shows off with its numerous museums with gothic, renaissance, baroque, young Poland, modern art exhibitions. Churches are themselves separate art museums, with their rich interiors, cloisters, stained glass windows. Lots of cellars have been adapted to stylish cafes, drink bars, restaurants, music centers, jazz clubs, disco, art galleries. We have a philharmonic hall , where Nigel Kennedy is an artistic director and the Maestro. He chose to live in Krakow. There are Saturday organ concerts in many of our old churches during the summer. Here also, in the former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, takes place the annual festival of Jewish culture, which attracts more and more viewers and listeners each year. We house one of the best theatres in Europe, the Old Theatre, the winner of many awards in Edinburgh. It's performances are real artistic events not only in Krakow.
This city, though much smaller than New York, never sleeps. Main Market Square is full of music and buzz day and night. People pour in and out the cafes, restaurants, exhibitions, museums.
Krakow offers both entertainment and quietness, it is loved by the rich and the poor, by the young and the elderly, the hard to please and the easy going, simply by everyone.
Krakow cordially welcomes you, ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, single people and families, the just married, and married long time ago.
This city has really much to offer.
Please come to Krakow and enjoy your stay here.