Krakow, Poland

Not wanting to go back to Warsaw after visiting Zalipie, we decided to spend a night in Krakow, one of the oldest cities in Poland.

Short history:
Krakow was already a busy trading center in 965.
In 1038 it became the seat of the Polish government.
In 1241 it was almost entirely destroyed during the Mongol invasion, it was rebuilt.
It was ravaged by the Mongolians again in 1259, it was rebuilt again, this time with fortifications which saved the city during the third attack in 1287.  "G-d damn Mongolians" - South Park

It went from hands to hands during the three partitions of Poland by Russia, Prussia and Austria in 1771, 1793 and 1795, with Austrian rule ending in 1918.

By 1918 and throughout the XX Century Krakow became a major academic and artistic center.

 It was the capital of German General Government (an administrative part of the Third Reich), after the invasion of Poland at the beginning of WWII.   Although Krakow was looted by the Germans, it was relatively undamaged by the end of WWII.

This is now a magnificent city, full of stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.   The Old City has many pedestrian only streets, beautiful old buildings with intricate architectural details and a wonderfully inviting atmosphere. 

 The Barbican and the Defensive Wall.
Gothic barbican, also referred to as Rondel, a saucepan.

        Small Market Square.
From the Middle Ages on this was an ancillary space for the adjacent Main Market Square.  This is where the second quality goods were sold; mostly meat and fish. 

 

 The brick building is where the first newspaper was printed in Poland in 1661.

  

Jan Matejko (1838-83), the most famous Polish painter was born in this house which is now a museum dedicated to him.

 Jan Matejko sculpture outside of the Old City walls.

 

 The remaining part of the wall that once surrounded the Old City.

 The Florian Gate built in 1307, was named after Saint Florian, a guardian saint of Krakow.  It marks the beginning of the Royal Route which leads to the Main Market Square.  This is where kings, diplomats and important guests would enter the city.  

 Stary National Theater, one of the oldest theaters in Poland


 

 Main Market Square.

Palace of Art
This Viennese Secession style building was built for the Society of Friends of the Beaux Arts in the early XX Century.  

 The Juliusz Slowacki Theatre.
This theater has been in continuous operation since 1893.  It scandalously replaced a demolished church and monastery.  This caused a tremendous uproar among Krakow's historians and caused Jan Matejko to give up his honorary title of citizen of the city. 
 

 It is a magnificent building during the day and night.

  

St. Andrew's Church built in the 11th Century.

 Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, Krakow's first church inspired by the sacred architecture of roman baroque.  It was built in 1597-1619.

A beautiful city that is really worth visiting.  It is much more crowded than Warsaw but it is very easy to navigate, more compact with an abundance of attractions and great restaurants.


Joanna