Heart of Krakow

If you ask about the heart of Krakow - the answer must the Main Market Square or Rynek Glowny (as the Poles call it). Not only is it one of the most beautiful city's squares, but also the biggest Medieval square in the world. Apart from it, Rynek Glowny features gems of architecture such as St Mary's church or Sukiennice (the Cloth Hall) where one can buy hand-made souveniers. If staying in Krakow, you must consider accommodation in Wentzl hotel that offers wonderful view over the Main Market Square. Read more about the Main Market Square of Krakow and check Krakow hotels with possibility of online booking.

Great lesson of history...

When visiting Krakow, many tourists plan their trips around and outside the city. One of the most popular spots is Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, situated in Oswiecim (about 1h away from Krakow), that is former concentration camp and now the tribute to victims of WW II. Check information on the visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau (provided by EverydayKrakow.com) where you will find details concerning how to get there, rules of visiting this exceptional place and additional info about Auschwitz.

Salty Krakow.

Nearby Krakow there is a small town - called Wieliczka - that hides one of the most important treasures of Poland. The Salt Mine in Wieliczka is more than the only working Medieval salt mine ever. It is also a tourist area that hosts chambers and chapels carved in salt (containing salt sculptures, carved walls and even salt chandeliers), tourist routes and underground lakes. It is a day trip when staying in the Royal City of Krakow. Read more about Krakow attractions and hotels in Krakow on EverydayKrakow.com

Kazimierz - Jewish district of Krakow.

The city of Krakow is divided into districts that sometimes differ in architecture and atmosphere that is created by its inhabitants and visitors. Apart from the Old Town, one of the most popular districts is Kazimierz that used to be the Jewish quarter. Jewish community lived in this part of Krakow since its very beginnings - when Kazimierz (named after the king Casimir the Great who founded it) was a separate town with its own Main Market Square (today's Plac Wolnica) and authorities. Kazimierz is not much younger than Krakow itself - as it was founded in 1335. It had its own city walls but, due to convenient situation, it was also protected - from the invaders - with the river. The city had its Christian and Jewish part. In result of Holocaust and later political situation in Poland, there was no Jewish cummunity anymore and Kazimierz became ubandoned, devastated part of the city.
Since about 15 years the former Jewish quarter has undergone the revival - thanks to investors and sponsors of cultural events that take place there. Although it is perceived by many as the Jewish quarter (due to synagogues that are there and Jewish culture that is cultivated there in many ways) it is actually a place where there are no Jews living - as the ones who stayed in Krakow are scattered around the city.
The distrct has, however, a lot to offer to those who would like to get to know Jewish culture better. There are 7 synagogues (in differect architectural styles), exhibitions of photos depicting how life used to look like in the district and local restaurants regularly give concerts of Klezmer music. In the streets one can very often see Orthodox Jews who come to Kazimierz to visit a grave of Moses Isserless (called Remuh) and see the place where the Jewish life used to flourish.
The restaurants, pubs and cafes feature exceptional atmosphere - as many of them are designed as dark, mysterious places. Also the hotels in Kazimierz district seem to differ from others in Krakow - even the names remind of Jewish culture (among them there are: Ester hotel, Eden hotel, Kazimierz hotel, David hotel...) while their interior design creates atmosphere as one would go back to the times when Jewish life was still ordinary thing - not a tourist attraction.
Read more on Kazimierz district on EverydayKrakow.com

Enchanting hill that raises over the city

The magic hill, situated in the very centre of Krakow, bears a unique name - Wawel - that became a hallmark of the city. The hill reveals the treasures of Krakow as there was the settlement from which the history of the Royal City of Krakow started. Word Wawel is also used to describe the castle, cathedral and a dragon that, according to the legend, had its seat in the cave of the hill.
The cathedral is one of the symbols of Poland - as there are placed the tombs of Polish kings, who ruled the country when Krakow was its capital. Starting from the first - who also reunited Poland - Wladyslaw the Short (Lokietek). In the basement of the cathedral one can also visit the tombs of Polish poets - Slowacki and Mickiewicz. Saint Jadwiga, the only female king of Poland - Hungarian princess - deriving from Polish first dynasty of Piasts - was burried on the wawel Hill. But when entering the place, one can admire in the main nave the silver coffin with remains of Saint Stanislaw - bishop of Krakow and patron of Poland. The visitors can also climb a tower to see and touch the Sigismund bell whose sound celebrates important events of Krakow and whole country.
The Wawel castle features beautiful Renaissance countryard. The tourists are allowed to visit the royal apartments and treasury.
When looking for thrills, mystery and legends - you are encouraged to visit the cave of the Wawel dragon who used to endangered Krakow and its citizens and afterwards was defeated by a simple shoemaker.
The Wawel Hill is seen from many places in Krakow. One of the most beautiful views one can get from Kanonicza street - which is said to be one of the most beautiful streets in the city. As well Poleski hotel features the view of whole Wawel Hill - situated on the other side of the river it enables its guests to stroll at the embankment of Vistula (Wisla) river. If you, however, choose different hotel in Krakow then Wawel Hill is still a must see of your trip.