KRAKOW OLD TOWN

Krakow was endowed with municipal rights in 1257 but the history started at the end of 10th century when Krakow was incorporated into the Kingdom of Poland which was the ruled by a king of Piast dynasty. Since then Krakow gained prominence among Polish cities and in 11th century became the official capital of Poland.

Today the Old Town attracts visitors from all over the World. Krakow historic centre is one of the 13 places in Poland that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The architectural design of the Old Town had survived all cataclysms of the past and retained its original form coming from the medieval times.

Throughout the whole year the Old Town is lively and crowded. There are many tourists, indefatigable florists, and lined up horse-drawn carriages awaiting to give a ride. The place is always vibrant with life especially in and around the Main Market Square, one of the biggest squares in Europe, which came into existence when the city was given Magdeburg Rights in 1257. The size of the plaza is 656 feet or 200 metres square. Tourist attractions such as the Town Hall Tower, Sukiennice (also known as the Cloth Hall), old tenements with fine shops, and Adam Mickiewicz Monument are all located there. While near the monument, one can listen to the heynal, which is played each hour from the highest tower of St. Mary's Church.

There are many cafes, pubs and clubs, which are located in medieval basements and cellars with vaulted ceilings. The most famous places include “Wierzynek” restaurant and Club “Pod Jaszczurami”. Numerous events, concerts and exhibitions are organized there. Obwarzanki (English:: bagels) are undoubtedly a symbol of Krakow. On the Square there is a bagel seller every few steps. Famous Obwarzanki from Krakow, which were also known as “bajgle” before the war, are a traditional Hebrew snack which is served on a Jewish holiday called Shavout. Traditional bagel is sprinkled with poppy-seeds. Today, sellers offer a whole variety of them; apart from poppy-seed there are also sesame seed, rock salt and even pizza sprinkles. One can eat them while strolling or in a horse-drawn carriage while cruising around and glancing at yet another symbol of the old city, namely Krakow pigeons. One can also come across various buskers and mimes.

When speaking of horse-drawn carriages it is worth to recollect a popular poem by K. I. Gałczyński entitled "Zaczarowana dorożka" (The Enchanted Carriage), which describes a journey through Krakow in a magical horse-drawn carriage.

Also, Krakow pigeons did not come from nowhere. According to legend, Henry IV Probus, who tried to take over the Senioral Province during the period of regional disintegration of Poland, attempted to go to Rome with money offerings in order to gain approval for his coronation. However, a certain enchantress turned his knights into pigeons. They pecked out some pebbles from the walls of St. Mary’s Church, which then turned into gold. With these riches the prince set off to Vatican, but while on his way he lost everything and never managed to reach his destination. He returned to Krakow. None of his knights ever regained the human form.

KAZIMIERZ DISTRICT/JEWISH QUARTER

The history:

The town of Kazimierz near Krakow was founded in 1335 by Kazimierz (Casmir) The Great. In the 15th century the Jewish population was moved here, leading to the town becoming a leading centre of Jewish culture. At the end of 19th century Kazimierz became a district of Krakow and the walls of Jewish ghetto were pulled down.

The Jews were allowed to settle all around Krakow - however many of them stayed in Kazimierz, making the district a place where two religions coexisted together. The Nazis annihilated this unique world. Recently, however, a number of art galleries and restaurants have opened here, bringing back memories of the past.
 
Sightseeing:

1. Szeroka Street Area is the very centre of Jewish quarter and from there you may enter three synagogues:

- Popper Synagogue - which has been turned into the youth culture centre.
- Old Synagogue - which is believed to be the oldest and grandest of all.
- Ramah Synagogue - which is the smallest of all historic synagogues of the district. It is currently the only active synagogue in the city.
- Other synagogues include : Isaac's Synagogue, High Synagogue, Temple Synagogues and the Kupa Synagogue.

2. Plac Nowy Area - There are numerous pubs and comfortable cafes to visit in this spot. They all boast of exceptional ambience - very characteristic for this district.

3. Plac Wolnica Area - The main market of the former city of Kazimierz, on the square there is the former town hall that houses the Ethnographic Museum.

4. Old Jewish Cementery 
 
The Christian part of Kazimierz:

St Catherine's Church in Augustiańska Street is a great example of a gothic church. St Michael's Church and the Pauline Fathers' Monastery called "on the Rock"
Kazimierz is becoming more and more popular not only among tourists, but also locals. Artists appreciate its atmosphere and rich cultural offer. In summer (usually at the end of June and beginning of July) the whole district becomes the main venue for the Jewish Culture Festival.

PODGÓRZE DISTRICT

Podgórze district is one of those less touristy areas, although it remains a very interesting district of Krakow, with a unique atmosphere. It is placed on the southern bank of Wisła River; about 25 minutes walk from the Old Town. Until the beginning of the 20th century it was a separate town.

Today, it is becoming more and more popular, and it's said that Podgórze is like Kazimierz ( Jewish district) used to be 15 years ago, before being a popular place for cultural events and nightlife. If you like a less touristy central place, Podgórze is for you. You can get there from Kazimierz by walking over Pilsudski bridge - one of the oldest bridges in town.
 
Things to see:

- the oldest man-made structure in Podgórze - the Krakus Mound (Kopiec Krakusa) with a great view from the top.

- Schindler's Factory. Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist, saved Jews from labour camps by employing them in this factory. This story was told in the 'Schindler's List' movie.

- Old Cemetery of Podgórze (Stary Cmentarz Pódgórski) - A peaceful place with the old, 19th century graves of noble citizens, politicians and artists from Podgórze.

- St Benedict's Fortification (Fort Św. Benedykta) - Built in 1853-56 it was one of the first parts of the city defense built by Austrians. One of the very few surviving examples of a fortification known as 'Maximilian's Tower'.

- Bednarskiego Park - founded by Wojciech Bednarski in 1896, the school headmaster. Beautiful landscaped park with over 100 species of trees. It incorporates high rocks and valleys and it's a great, quiet alternative for more conventional parks located next to the Old Town.

- Market square of Podgórze (Rynek Podgórski) - A large square with stylish, old houses. There is the large brick, neo-gothic church of St. Josef situated there.
 
Moreover, you can visit good art galleries in Podgórze, such as Starmach Gallery. It's located in a restored interior of a former synagogue and is the largest private gallery in Poland. It regularly holds exhibitions of modern art.

For a drink, you can go to Drukarnia club - located by the river, a cool place holding cultural events, concerts, it has 3 bars and a great warm atmosphere.

NOWA HUTA COMMUNISM DISTRICT

The Nowa Huta area was built in the late 1940s. Now it is one of the biggest Krakow districts situated 10km from the city center. For the citizens of Krakow, Nowa Huta has always been the visible sign of communism and that's why for many years they treated it with contempt.

Nowadays with population of 200 thousand still differs from the rest of the city with its monumental Socialist architecture. When you look at Nowa Huta from the bird's eye view it is easy to figure out that it looks like the sun: in the middle you can find Central Square and the streets which start at this square are the sun's rays. The Lenin statue that used to stand in the middle of the square was replaced by a replica of Gdansk Crosses in 1990. Further to anti-religious Communist policy, it was impossible to build churches in this district for years. The permission to build the first church was granted in 1970s.
 
Nowa Huta Today

Since the fall of Communism the city that was once a showpiece for Stalinism now boasts many tributes to ardent anti-Communists. Streets formerly named after Lenin and the Cuban Revolution have been renamed to honor Pope John Paul II and the Polish exile leader Władysław Anders. In 2004 Plac Centralny, Nowa Huta's central square which once was home to a giant statue of Lenin - on display at High Chaparral Museum in Hillerstorp Sweden, was renamed Ronald Reagan Central Square (Plac Centralny im. Ronalda Reagana) in honor of the former U.S. President However, this decision led to many protests, and the traditional name is still widely used.
 
Sightseeing:

- Wanda Mound (Kopiec Wandy). The Wanda Mound was inspired by a mythical royal figure - Princess Wanda sacrificed by throwing herself into the Wisła River. 14 meters high and 50 meters in diameter, is situated next to Nowa Huta steelworks. Providing a fantastic view Wanda Mound is the second mound in Krakow.

- Cistercian Monastery in Mogila. Situated in Mogila this monastery is most important monument of this kind in Krakow and one of most valued in Poland. The Cistercian monastery of Mogiła was founded in the 1220s from the mother house of Lubiąż in Silesia.

- Church of St Bartholomew (Kosciol Sw. Bartlomieja). The small, shingled Church of St Bartholomew dates from the mid-15th century, which makes it Poland's oldest surviving three-nave timber church. It's located at Klasztorna Street, next to the Cistercian Monastery. The church is one of the best examples of famous Polish wooden architecture.
 
How to get there ??:

One can reach Nowa Huta by trams (4, 9, 15 or 22) and getting off at the Plac Centralny stop.
 
COMMUNISM TOURS

Europe's most famous alternative tours company! Join the Crazy Guides team on one of their personalized tours of Krakow and see the true sights of this amazing city. Their famous Communism Tours were created to change the typical guided tour, packed with tones of boring names and dates, into a real interactive adventure. With the help of your Crazy Guide, and a funky Eastern bloc Trabant automobile, you will travel back in time to discover the fascinating history of Nowa Huta, Krakow's communist district, and experience for yourself life as it was in the "good old' days".

Energetic team were carefully selected by Crazy Mike, beloved Leader and founder of Crazy Guides, so you can be sure that you'll get the best service on the planet!

KRAKOW CULTURE AND ART

Krakow's most famous museums:

- National Museum - Poland's richest museum, with branches scattered all around Krakow's downtown, it's the chief venue for temporary exhibitions-sometimes sensational, always interesting. It includes the gallery of 20th-century Polish art (nearly 500 outstanding works by Poland's modern artists) and permanent exhibitions of decorative art and of the Polish arms and army uniforms. Closed on Mondays, free admission on Sundays.

- The Czartoryskis Museum - World-famous for Leonardo's painting 'Lady with an Ermine', a dramatic landscape by Rembrandt, masterpieces of ancient European craft (furniture, china, glass, tapestry, etc.), an excellent collection of arms, and Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities. Located on the corner of Sw. Jana Street and Pijarska Street. Closed on Mondays, free admission on Sundays.

- Royal Castle on the Wawel Hill - home to three dynasties of Poland's monarchs with highly recommended Royal Chambers, Crown Treasury and Armory display. Also the Cathedral Museum, Dragon's Den, Oriental Art and lots more... Open every day with free admission on Monday.

KRAKOW NIGHTLIFE

Krakow is one of the country's oldest cities and the cultural capital of Poland. With outstanding atmosphere and a crazy nightlife which can offer very many various options.

Highly recommended by Mama's:

- Cień Club - This basement club is the place to be on the weekends. It is regularly packed with clubbers dancing the night away to the latest house music. Cien is one of the most well known clubs in Kraków, expect it to be busy!

- Frantic Club - Frantic is a relatively new club in Kraków and has quickly become one the top spots. A dress code is required on weekends so make sure you have your shoes on! Expect a line on weekends as this really is one of the places to be for young clubbers wanting to drink and dance all night.

- Prozak Club - Prozak is probably the most foreign friendly club in Kraków. Each and every week you can expect to find many different nationalities in Prozak, from English to Australian to Norwegian. It is also one of the biggest, if not biggest clubs in Krakow with countless rooms making the place like a maze!

- Ministerstwo - Ministerstwo is literally designed like a cave. You enter the club, walk down the two sets of stairs and you are welcomed into a cave with fantastic decor. The club has a lot of space to chill out but also has a big dance floor for clubbers to enjoy its mix of dance, rock and even salsa music.

Clubs and bars in the Kazimierz district:

There are many clubs and bars to choose from in the Kazimierz district but if we were to recommend one it would have to be Alchemia. Always busy every single night, it has become a well known meeting place for people and has one of the best atmospheres in Kraków. The street in which Alchemia is located has so many bars so close together that to some people, it is even crazier than the Old Town area.

Ask for free invitations at the reception!!!

EATING OUT IN KRAKOW

Krakow gastronomy has a long and glorious tradition that dates back to the famous lavish medieval and Renaissance feasts and the Baroque extravaganzas of Polish gentry gourmets. Today, Krakow is full to the brim with a whole range of eating establishments.

Here, within easy walking distance, you can discover hundreds of restaurants, cafes, bistros, grills, pizzerias, salad bars, etc, from the low price priced milk bars (bar mleczny) to the most exclusive restaurants.

Be prepared to try everything: from some of the creative old polish cuisines to a revival of the local folk cookery. You can try Far East foods, fine French restaurants and Italian cuisine. Krakow has a huge choice in places to enjoy your meal.
 
Our meal recommendations straight from polish cushion:

- pierogi ruskie (stuffed dumpling with cottage cheese and potatoes)
- pierogi z mięsem (stuffed dumplings with meat)
- pierogi z kapustą i grzybami (stuffed dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms)
- zurek w chlebie (traditional polish sour soup served in a bread)
- barszcz czerwony (beetroot soup)
- gołąbki (stuffed cabbage leaf with meat and rice)

SHOPPING IN KRAKOW

Krakow's Old Town which is a mainly historic district also houses a pedestrian precinct with shops of all sorts. The most commercial strips are on: Florianska, Szewska, Grodzka and Slawkowska Street - various retailers are crammed into every available space: front and the backyards, as well as ground floors and upstairs or even in cellars and attics of some buildings.

There are a variety of designers, jewelry (very often amber for very reasonable prices), also antiques and bookstores but you can also find some sportswear shops, CD shops and everyday necessities.
Recently in Krakow they have been opening brand-new shopping malls such as the huge Galeria Krakowska and sizeable shopping centers accompanying the giant hypermarkets foreign retailing giants such as Carrefour, Tesco or Real.

In every part of Krakow you can find traditional marketplaces with bargain hunters and shoppers looking for fresh products from the farm or a garden.

Also you can find yourself some really interesting polish souvenirs on the Sunday Flea market located about 5 minute-walk from the Old Town.
 
Note:

Shops in Poland are closed on major national holidays: New Year, Easter, May 1, May 3, Corpus Christi, August 15, November 1, November 11, and Christmas. Nevertheless Pharmacies and gas stations stay open on those days.
 
Sales, bargains and discounts:

Clearance/sales seasons in Krakow shops take place mostly twice a year. Every shop has its own timetable and it usually it changes every year, although winter sales start in the city around mid-January until February. July to mid-August is a time for massive summer discount sales. Price reductions range from 30 up to 50% but sometimes at the very end of clearance is 70% off.
The most exciting thing is that shops post up spectacular discounts on the windows so it is really easy to find these shops. Also, there are very many factory outlet stores and discount shops in the city.
 
Paying for purchased things:

Poland's currency, Polish zloty (abbr. PLN). Since Poland is the member state of the European Union, some shops accept EURO as well. You may pay either with cash or credit/debit cards, which are widely accepted in Krakow.