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.