Krakow (Pol. Kraków) can rightly be called the most interesting city in Poland. It beckons with its impressive architectural monuments and unique atmosphere of Casimir (former Jewish district). It has many interesting tourist attractions so you will never have a problem concerning what to see in Krakow.
It is also worth noting that Krakow was the capital of Poland for almost four centuries, and it was the place of the coronations of the state's rulers. Back then, the city always hosted noisy balls and had magnificent buildings which no other Poland city had. All this, of course, has reflected on the modern appearance of the city, so tourists can dip into the past and enjoy the true masterpieces of culture and architecture of the Polish people.
The town is one of the few places in the world where antiquity and modernity coexist in harmony, absolutely without interfering with each other. The past creates a majestic aura, while the present offers limitless opportunities for recreation. The Krakow must-see attractions we have described here are of particular interest among travelers, they have something special, making you hold your breath and forget about everything.
Wawel Royal Castle
The Royal Castle on the Wawel Hill is a palatial architectural complex, the former residence of Polish kings. The castle was built in the late XIII century by order of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia. 50 years later, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style by order of Casimir III the Great, and since then, it served as the residence of royalty for over 250 years. Unfortunately, the castle was burned down several times, and after transferring the capital to Warsaw (1596), it completely lost its original purpose.
Today, the territory of the Castle is surrounded by the Royal Palace, Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Vaclav, foundations of several ruined buildings (the Church of St. Michael, Church of St. George, and Vicarage), an exhibition center, cathedral museum, administration building, seminary building, monument to John Paul II and dragon sculpture (according to legend, the dragon was living in a cave under the castle and was defeated by a shoemaker named Scuba).
On the North side of the Royal Castle, there is the Old Town of Krakow (the historic center of Krakow). Today, the Old Town is the epicenter of the most significant monuments that are of great interest to travelers. Besides, the Old Krakow has "Royal Road" along which there is located the most of the Krakow must-see attractions we have put together here.
Market Square/Rynek Glowny
Market Square or Rynek Glowny is the Central Square of Krakow, founded in 1257. Also, at that time three straight streets emanating from each of the four sides of the Square were laid. Interestingly, a half of the Market Square was divided into separate parts for selling salt, fish, bread, and other things, while the other part of the Square was used for public events and meetings with citizens.
By the way, the Square was the commercial center of the entire town for several centuries. In 2010, there was opened Rynek Underground Permanent Exhibition (Podziemia Rynku) in the former underground storage facilities. Its area is over than 6000 m2. There you can see the recreated fragments of wooden constructions, foundations of buildings, as well as items and artifacts found during archaeological excavations on the Market Square.
Town Hall Tower (Wieża ratuszowa)
Town Hall Tower (Wieża ratuszowa) is the only surviving part of the old Krakow Town Hall named Ratusz, which was built in the early XIV century and demolished in 1820. Today, the tower is a branch of the Krakow Historical Museum. It has an exhibition dedicated to the history of Krakow, while the top floor of the Town Hall Tower offers a wonderful panoramic view on many the must-see attractions in Krakow. What is interesting is that initially cloth stores on the Market Square were scattered, so the Casimir the Great decided to unite and organize them in the middle of the XIV century. The result was the appearance of a separate merchant row (Sukiennice) with a length of 108 meters and a width of 10 meters. However, after the 1555 fire, the merchant row was rebuilt in a full two-story building with a gorgeous decorative finish. The second floor appeared in the late nineteenth century and there was opened the 19th Century Polish Art Gallery in 1879. Its collection includes samples of applied art, paintings, sculptures, weapons, coins, and other items demonstrating the uniqueness of Polish cultural heritage. The first floor has numerous souvenir shops, so it is unlikely you will be able to resist the temptation to buy something to memorize your stay in Krakow.
The Mickiewicz Monument (Pomnik Mickiewicza)
The Mickiewicz Monument (Pomnik Mickiewicza) is the most famous Polish bronze statue located on the Market Square. The person (Adam Mickiewicz) is an outstanding figure in Polish poetry community of the twentieth century, who had a significant influence on the formation of the literary heritage of Eastern Europe. He was a member of the Patriotic youth clubs, Polish national liberation movement, publicist, founder of Polish romanticism, and just a person who very loved his native land, about which he talks in almost all his works.
St. Florian's Gate (Brama Floriańska)
It is the only surviving fortified gate in Krakow (the city walls included 7 gates and 47 towers). This gate was considered to be one of the most valuable, because the Royal Road to the Castle located on the Wawel Hill was laid through it.
It should be noted that St. Florian, martyred for the Christian faith, is especially venerated in Krakow and is the Patron Saint of the whole Poland.
The Barbican (Barbakan)
It is a defensive Bastion built in the XV century for additional protection of St Florian's Gate. It is noteworthy that when, in 1806, the Austrian authorities ordered the demolition of the St. Florian's Gate and Barbican, the person who managed to convince them otherwise was an architect who scientifically explained that the gate protects the city from winds, carrying many diseases (colds, rheumatism, paralysis, and so on).
Collegium Maius
It is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University established in 1364. It is not just an attraction, but also the largest Polish educational institution. Among the most famous students are King of Poland, Jan III Sobieski, and Pope John Paul II. Also, it has an exposition which includes more than 2,000 astronomical and scientific items, as well as paintings by scholars and teachers.
Juliusz Słowacki Theatre
The theater was named in honor of the famous Polish playwright and poet Juliusz Slovak and is designed in eclectic style. Dramatic performances are hosted there since 1893. Additionally, almost all must-see attractions in Krakow are distinguished by beauty, but among them, there are special ones that capture attention with just one look, and Juliusz Słowacki Theatre is one of them.
Planty Park
It is a green ring around the Old City and is the ideal place to relax from the bustle of the city. The Planty arose on the site of medieval fortifications Krakow was surrounded by from the XIII to the XVIII century. With the destruction of them, it was decided to build a park area there, after which Planty almost instantly gained popularity among residents and visitors of Krakow.
Krakow Must-See Attractions: Museums
Polish Aviation Museum (Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego)
The museum is the largest aviation museum in Poland. The central body of it runs courses on aircraft modeling. There you can also learn about what aerodynamics is and how to fly a plane. The Museum collection includes over 200 aircraft.
Museum of Municipal Engineering (Muzeum Inżynierii Miejskiej)
It shows exhibits of the road and public transport, talks about the production of electricity and gas production, as well as illustrates different technical processes. The Museum is a great option for those who travel with children, since for them, there is a special educational program.
Also, there are hosted engaging and interactive presentations on the physical, chemical, historical and technical topics.
National Museum of Ethnography (Muzeum Etnograficzne)
It is located in another Town Hall and talks about the national identity of the Polish people. Today, the exhibition consists of 80 000 exponents such as icons, paintings, photographs, manuscripts, books, clothing, and household items.The most interesting part of the Museum is the recreated interiors of peasant living rooms, utility rooms, and workshops. The Ethnography Museum is an excellent chance to learn more about folk culture and historical traditions of Poles.
Czartoryski Museum (Muzeum Czartoryskich)
It is one of the finest and oldest museums in Krakow. The Museum is founded in 1796 by Princess Izabela Dorota Czartoryska. It exhibits armor and weapons, items of decorative and applied art, sculptures, and paintings. One of the main must see attractions in Krakow which is there is considered to be one of the Leonardo da Vinci's masterpieces, that is, the painting "Lady with an ermine". Also, the Museum is located in a beautiful Palace designed in the Italian style, which once housed the city arsenal.
Art & Craft Gallery (Galeria Rzemiosła Artystycznego)
It covers the period from the Middle Ages to Modern. The gallery includes antique things, jewelry, clothes and has one of the best Polish glass collections. There you can also see cutlery and an exhibition of ceramics, metal objects, including medieval jewelry and various gothic artifacts, as well as a large collection of European furniture and antique clocks. By the way, musical instruments and Judaica collections are also appreciated there.
Gallery Arms and Uniforms (Galeria «Broń i Barwa w Polsce»)
It covers the periods of military history from the Late Middle Ages to the World War II. The main exhibits are ammunition and armor, various types of weapons and firearms. There are also exhibitions dedicated to the Polish winged hussars, commemorative insignia, and a collection of the Polish uniforms of the XIX-XX centuries. All these things are of great interest among tourists.
Museum Witrażu
Some of the must-see attractions in Krakow are not just places to visit; there are those that are in working mode and bring a new miracle each passing day. The Museum Witrażu is one of them. There you can observe how different colored items from thin glasses decorated with various patterns are created.What is interesting is that bright mosaic long been used to decorate temples and churches, however, today it can be found in country houses and even in ordinary apartments. Also, there is a "Living" exhibition, showing how the process of creating a multi-colored glass takes place.
Archaeological Museum of Kraków (Muzeum Archeologiczne)
The museum is the oldest museum of such type in Poland. It was created in the mid-nineteenth century, and over the years of its existence, it has accumulated many valuable, unique archaeological specimens, such as "Zbruch idol". It is an ancient Slavic sculpture which is among the most valuable exhibits of the Museum. Of particular interest is an exhibition of prehistoric pottery and unique exposition "The Gods of The Ancient Egypt". Also, in the Museum, there are exposed ancient coins, figurines, paintings, and jewelry.
Hutten-Czapski Museum (Muzeum Czapskich)
It acquaints its visitors with a rich collection of coins, orders, and medals, which had been collected by numismatist Emeric Hutten-Czapski. The Museum is located in the family Palace of Czapski. There you can also observe medieval books, manuscripts, and maps.
Museum of military affairs (Muzeum Czynu Zbrojnego)
It demonstrates the uniforms of Polish soldiers and partisans, clothes of the inmates of concentration camps, a collection of medals and awards, banners of various documents, and printed materials since the Second World War. In front of the entrance to the Museum, there is the IS-2 tank.
Manggha Museum
It is the center of Japanese culture. The full name of the attraction is Muzeum Sztuki i Techniki Japońskiej Manggha. It all started when, in 1920, Felix Manggha presented his awesome collection of 6000 specimens of Japanese art to the National Museum of Krakow. His only requirement was that his collection would be shown as a whole by the Museum.Unfortunately, the treasure had remained packed in boxes and drawers until the Second World War. As time passed, a youth person found out it (Andrzej Wajda) and donated received the Kyoto Prize for the creation of the Museum. Today, you can see not only interesting exhibits there, but also to try yourself in the art of making Ikebana, learn the secrets of the tea ceremony, and start to learn the Japanese language.
The Walery Rzewuski Museum of History of Photography
The exhibition includes about 600 cameras, lenses, vintage photographic equipment and so on. Unique collections are the "Magic lantern" and "Camera obscura", illustrating the origin of creativity. The exhibition of Polish photo instruments is of particular value, as it is a unique collection of all models that were produced in the postwar period. There is also a cinema exhibition representing projectors and floodlights that were made in the period between the two world wars.Krakow Must-See Attractions: Galleries
Gallery of Polish Art of the XX century (Galeria Sztuki Polskiej XX wieku)
Being the largest Art Museum in Poland, the gallery includes works of outstanding Polish artists such as Jacek Malczewski, Witold Wojtkiewicz, Olga Boznańska, and Konstanty Wroblewski. There you can see the avant-garde animation, some sculptures of Xawery Dunikowski, Wacław Szymanowski, and other works.
Gallery Europeum
The first permanent exhibition of European art in Krakow, the location of which is in the former granary, a restored building of the XVII century, now represents the harvest of art, rather than grain. Its collection spans seven centuries of European art history. There are about 100 sculptures and paintings of famous masters such as Lorenzo Lotto, Paolo Veneziano, Pieter Brueghel the Younger, and many other works. In addition, the Europeum Gallery is also a cultural information center, where various concerts and lectures from time to time take place.Must-See Attractions in Krakow: Churches
The Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus on the Wawel Hill (Bazylika archikatedralna św. Stanisława i św. Wacława)
It is the most famous Church of Krakow. In the past, it served as a coronation Cathedral, but now it is a burial place of kings and high officials. There you can see the tomb of Casimir Jagiellon, stone sarcophagus, and the largest Polish bell — the Zygmunt. At the entrance, there hangs a trophy that may seem somewhat unexpected in the place as it is the bones of a mammoth, but for residents, they are a symbol of peace, happiness, and prosperity.
St. Mary's Church (Kościół Mariacki)
A striking example of the Gothic style invites all the people who walk in off the Market Square to listen to the Heynal. A ringing signal sounds every hour, and it is heard not only in Krakow, but also throughout Poland, as it is broadcasted by radio.The second name of the Church is the Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven. The outside of this attraction is decorated with six chapels, two towers, and an octagonal presbytery. Inside, you will find a mixture of colors and styles. The interior incorporates all the best features of Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance styles. The Veit Stoss altarpiece deserves special attention. It is designed in the form of a cabinet with four doors and is made of wood and decorated with sculptures, carvings, and gilding. Behind the altar, you can see colorful stained-glass windows and walls with paintings of the Virgin Mary.
Saints Peter and Paul Church (Kościół Świętych Apostołów Piotra i Pawła)
Known as the Jesuit Church, it is the first building built in the Baroque style in Poland. In front of its entrance, you will be greeted by the figures of the 12 apostles. Also, there you can admire the emblem of the Jesuits and Sigismund III. Inside, the Church is extraordinarily beautiful, while in its center, there is located a beautiful altar. The Baroque dome that is also there is decorated with intricate stucco works, while the walls consist of reliefs telling of the death of the Peter and Paul. In the North and South nave, there are six chapels. Tourists can also explore the remains of frescoes of the XVIII century and unique examples of sculpture and painting. No less impressive are the tombstones of Bishop Trzebicko and representatives of Branicki family. And if you are lucky, you might hear the sound of the organ or choral singing.
Church of the Holy Trinity (Kościół Świętej Trójcy)
It is one of the largest religious complexes and another proof that Krakow must-see attractions are exceptional. The perimeter of the building is decorated with ancient chapels and works of Italian sculptors. Inside, there are two masterpiece paintings, that is, the "Last Supper" and "Miracle at Cana in Galilee."The icon of the Mother of God is of particular interest among tourists. What is interesting is that the church is an exact replica of the Shrine located in the Basilica in Rome, Italy. A big book placed in the chapel of St Hyacinth, in which you can write down your request to the Saint is another reason why you should visit the place being in Krakow.
St. Barbara's Church (Kościół Św. Barbary)
The building in the past served as a cemetery chapel, however, it has become the first Jesuit residence in the city. Near one of its walls there is located the sculpture "Gethsemane", while inside the Church, there are paintings of Tommaso Dolabella, depicting the suffering of St. Catherine, as well as events from the lives of saints such as Francis Xavier and Francesco Borgia and other things.
Krakow Must-See Attractions (The Slavic Rome)
Reviewed by Unknown
on
9/24/2016
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Reviewed by Unknown
on
9/24/2016
Rating: