A Brief Guide To Krakow - Poland from Feroz Ali's blog

This enigmatic and energetic cultural center will enthrall you of its rich history and amazing legends. Krakow is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, with an incredible number of pubs and clubs all over the city. With a Eurail pass, one can readily experience the invigorating combination of sophistication and craze that is Kraków.

History Of Krakow

The first evidence that Kraków existed was around the 7th century, however the earliest reports of the city dates back in 966 when a Sephardic Jewish businessman named Ibrahim ibn Yaqub from Cordova traveled in a town which was a trading capital named Krakwa. During the reign of King Kazimierz Wielke in 1364, Kraków became prominent. The 15th and 16th century was Kraków's golden age, its economic and culture expanded, and later became one of the members of the Hanseatic League. During the early beginnings of 1655 the Swedes invaded the city and in 1795, Kraków became a tailor made private tours krakowdivision of Galicia during the Third Partition of Poland. Under the governance of the Austrians, the citizens of Kraków enjoyed political and cultural freedom, and around the 19th century it became a significant cultural and spiritual centre of Poland.

Things To Do In Krakow

The city's market square, exactly 200 by 200 meters in size, is the largest market square in Europe. Take a stroll around the Royal Route, starting at Florianska Gate, through the St. Mary's Cathedral and Sukiennice, down the ul. Grodzka where the Churches of St. Peter and St. Paul are located. Then visit the Wawel Castle, the city's most famous landmark. Wawel Castle has a lot of enigma hidden behind its fortress, with splendid cathedrals, ancient tombs and tales of the legendary Wawel Dragon. St. Mary's Basilica, with its blue stained windows, altar piece and magnificent ceiling will take you back in time with a trumpet that plays in one of its towers every hour and then stops mid-tune.

Discover the birthplace of Pope John Paul the II in Wadowice, which is 40 km from the city. After the holy site you can pay your respects and offer your prayers at the Oswiecim concentration camp, where millions of souls were tortured and murdered during the Second World War. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wieliczka Mine was naturally created 15 million years ago. It showcases chambers with several carvings, two underground chapels, and statues that are amazingly made of salt. Get some fresh air and explore the Tatra and Zakopane mountains, is the country's winter capital. Its ski slopes are enjoyable and the Tatra National Park is also the highest peak in Poland.