Kraków is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland – the historical capital of the country and currently the capital of Lesser Poland. The city’s unique atmosphere attracts not only artists but also many tourists. You can particularly feel this in the cosmopolitan Old Town.
In Kraków, history and a centuries-old past permeate every corner. It was here that Polish kings lived for centuries, where culture flourished, and where artists thrived.
To get to know the city, it is enough to follow the most famous and beautiful route in Kraków – the Royal Route, which runs from the Barbican via Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square to Wawel Hill. Along the Royal Route, you’ll find some of the most important monuments of old Kraków: the distinctive St. Mary’s Basilica with its two tall, yet uneven towers (a must-see), the Cloth Hall – a medieval marketplace now home to souvenir stalls and the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, and several churches including the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, as well as the Dominican Monastery with the Basilica of the Holy Trinity.
Atop Wawel Hill, which rises above the city, stands the majestic Wawel Castle. The hill features many historically significant buildings from various eras. Wawel played a crucial role in the political and religious history of both the city and the nation.
Along the Royal Route, you’ll see not only the landmarks described in guidebooks but also many picturesque spots and interesting architectural details. It’s worth taking a walk down Kanonicza Street – a wonderfully charming corner of Kraków.
While in Kraków, you mustn’t miss Kazimierz – the historic Jewish quarter, home to well-preserved synagogues such as the Old Synagogue and the Tempel Synagogue.
In 1978, the Old Town of Kraków, together with Wawel, Kazimierz, and Stradom, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. For centuries, Kraków – as the capital city and royal seat – attracted great scholars and artists from around the world. Their talents and imagination contributed to the city’s rich cultural heritage and historical monuments, which reflect key movements in European culture.
Tired after exploring old Kraków? You can relax in numerous places popular with the locals:
Planty – an exquisite city park that encircles the historical part of Kraków, divided into eight gardens named after nearby landmarks.
Błonia – a city park in the form of a vast, 48-hectare field, located just a 15-minute walk from the city centre.
Botanical Garden – established in 1783, it is the oldest botanical garden in Poland.
For art lovers, we recommend visiting one of the many museums or art galleries, including:
The National Museum – the museum’s mission is to bear witness to national and human values by promoting both Polish and world art, particularly the achievements of the Kraków artistic community. It also undertakes activities related to its collections and scholarly, historical, and artistic works created by those who share a sense of belonging to, or respect for, Polish culture, regardless of their place of residence, nationality, or religion.
Schindler’s Factory – this impressive interactive museum explores the German occupation of Kraków during the Second World War. It is housed in the former enamel factory of Oskar Schindler.
Old Synagogue – located in the 15th-century synagogue, this museum features a prayer hall with a reconstructed bimah (raised platform from which the Torah is read) and the original aron kodesh (niche in the eastern wall for storing Torah scrolls), along with an exhibition of liturgical objects.
The Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology – the brainchild of Polish film director Andrzej Wajda, who donated his Kyoto Prize money in 1987 to create a permanent home for the National Museum’s extensive collection of Japanese art, ceramics, and scrolls.
The Collegium Maius – originally part of the Kraków Academy (now Jagiellonian University), it is the oldest surviving university building in Poland and one of the finest examples of 15th-century Gothic architecture in the city. It boasts a magnificent arcaded courtyard and a fascinating university collection.
Main Square Underground – a captivating attraction beneath the market square, featuring an underground route through medieval market stalls and other long-forgotten chambers. The ‘Middle Ages meets 21st century’ experience is enhanced by holograms and audio-visual wizardry.
Almost all of the major museums offer audioguides. In addition, 3D models of the most popular historical buildings (including the Barbican, St Mary’s Basilica, and the Cloth Hall – Sukiennice) can be found along the Royal Route. Each model includes descriptions in English and Polish Braille. Tourist maps for visually impaired visitors can be collected from Tourist Information points.
Kraków is regarded as the cultural capital of Poland. In 2000, the city was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture. A review of current cultural events in Kraków can be found here.
For more details on registrations and submissions for the 10th International Conference on Agricultural Statistics, please first login to your account. If you do not have an account then you can create one below:
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better.
You can change your cookie settings in your web browser. Otherwise, we’ll assume you’re OK to continue.
Some of the cookies we use are essential for the site to work.
We also use some non-essential cookies to collect information for making reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form.
To control third party cookies, you can also adjust your browser settings.
Do Not Accept Third Party Cookies