Krakow is one of the most important cultural and tourist centers of Poland.
The city is full of great monuments, museums, churches and picturesque streets.
It is a magical place, which boasts of the most beautiful medieval Market Square in Europe.
The Wawel
The Wawel is without a doubt the biggest attraction of Krakow.
It is situated on the hill, where you can also find two most famous monuments: The Royal Castle and the Wawel Cathedral.
The Royal Castle, which dates back to the Renaissance period, is the most spectacular castle in the country, while the Wawel Cathedral is the largest Renaissance church in Poland. Next to the Wawel Hill there is a dark cave, which according to a legend is inhabited by an infamous dragon. From the top of the hill there is a stunning view of the Vistula River.
The Main City Square
The Main City Square in Krakow is the largest market place in Europe.
Around the Main City Square are located the most important monuments of Krakow: the Cloth Hall, the Town Hall, St Mary's Church, the Statue of Adam Mickiewicz, St. Wojcech's Church.
Not only is The Main City Square famous for the wonderful restaurants, garden cafés, florists, but also great numbers of doves which inhabit the city all year round. The Main City Square in Krakow is the best place for leisure as well as personal and business meetings. It is the beating heart of the city which never sleeps.
The Cloth Hall - Sukiennice
The Sukiennice is a Renaissance shopping centre, which is located in the middle of The Main City Square.
It consists of a great variety of stalls selling jewellery and products made of amber. You can buy here a traditional folk costume, local souvenirs and handmade crafts.
On the first floor of the Sukiennice there is the National Museum Gallery.
St. Mary’s Church - Kościół Mariacki
This is one of the most famous religious buildings in the country.
Not only is it famous for the Mariacki Hejnal, a thrilling sound of trumpet which can be heard every hour from the higher tower of the church, but also for the altar of St. Mary's - one of the most valuable paintings from the Gothic period produced by Veit Stoss.
The inside of the church plunged into darkness is filled with luxuriant Baroque artifacts such as 200 figures representing scenes from St. Mary's life. It was here in The Basilica where Pope John Paul II used to give sermons in his youth.
The Kazimierz
Kazimierz is one of the oldest districts of Krakow. This remarkable place is full of Gothic churches, synagogues, galleries and picturesque streets.
It is characterized by very rare Jewish pubs serving delicious dishes made according to old Jewish recipes.
The original architecture of this place, culture and traditions make this place special.
It was here where the most famous Jewish scientists and artists used to live. This magical place derives its name from the name of the king Kazimierz the Great.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine
Only 10 kilometers from the centre of Krakow, there is one of the most famous and unique Polish tourist venues. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is the only mine in the world, working continuously since the Middle Ages. In 1978 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List, and in 1994 it was also declared as a Historical National Monument.
The underground tourist route, a specific microclimate, and amazing attractions draw more than a million visitors every year.
