Cracov Sightseeing

Cracow is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland, situated in the south of Poland on the Vistula river (Polish: Wisła) The city dates back to the 7th century.

Krakow has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish scientific, cultural and artistic life. As the former national capital with a history encompassing more than a thousand years, the city remains the spiritual heart of Poland. It is a major attraction for local and international tourists, attracting seven million visitors annually. Famous landmarks include the Main Market Square with St. Mary’s Basilica and the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, the Wawel Castle, the National Art Museum, the Zygmunt Bell at the Wawel Cathedral, and the medieval St Florian’s Gate with the Barbican along the Royal Coronation Route. In 1978, UNESCO added Kraków’s historic centre, which includes the Old Town, Kazimierz and the Wawel Castle to the list of World Heritage Sites.

Krakow is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Poland.  It was named the European Capital of Culture for the year 2000 by the European Union. Kraków has 28 museums and public art galleries. Among them are the main branch of Poland’s National Museum and the Czartoryski Museum, the latter featuring works by Leonardo and Rembrandt. The city has several famous theaters.

Krakow hosts many annual and biannual artistic events, some of international significance, such as the Festival of Short Feature Films, Biennial of Graphic Arts, and the Jewish Culture Festival. It became the residence of two Polish Nobel laureates in literature: Wisława Szymborska and Czesław Miłosz.

Points of interest outside the city include the Wieliczka salt mine (www.kopalnia.pl), the Tatra Mountains 100 kilometers (62 mi) to the south, the historic city of Częstochowa, the former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. (www.auschwitz-muzeum.oswiecim.pl)

For tourists with chidren we recommend  in Wieliczka (www.solilandia.pl) and Dinolandia  in Inwałd, 60 km from Cracow
(www.dinolandia.eu)