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TODAYS PICKS FOR YOU
The maritime Voyages of Discovery turned Lisbon into one of the world’s great ports and the centre of an empire that stretched from Brazil in the West to India in the East. On the banks of the river, great monuments testify to that history.
Various populations from prehistoric times and antiquity have sought refuge on Monaco’s Rocher and in its port. Sailors have heralded from as far away as the Orient. In the sixth century B.C. a Ligurian tribe inhabited the area leaving behind their name to what would become Monaco.
Krakow
Poland
Cracow
Cracow, Poland’s former capital is one of the most attractive destinations for people. It is famous for its specific climate where history meets with present technologies. It’s the mostly visited city in Poland from reason of perfectly saved old city, castle on Wawel, Jagiellonian University (one of the oldest school in Europe, established in 1364) and many, many breathtaking relics. The Old City has been recorded on the UNESCO list of World Heritage. The Main Market Square, approximately 200m on each side, is the oldest part of the Old Town. Established at the crossroads of trade routes in 1257, it is one of Europe’s largest city squares. The square is surrounded by tenement houses that once belonged to its wealthiest residents.
Wawel, the seat of kings and bishops, sits on a hill on the Vistula. Each tourist in Cracow should pay a visit to Wawel, to try and taste the history. To walk on the old pavement and imagine how it used to be hundreds years ago.
Cracow’s Kazimierz district, established in 14th century by King Kazimierz the Great, used to be a separate town where Christianity and Judaism coexisted for nearly five centuries. Now it is a district of Cracow. Here, we can find the famous Remuh Synagogue and the Alte Schule, Poland’s oldest synagogue, today important museum of the district. At the center of today’s Kazimierz is Szeroka Street, lined with Jewish cafes and restaurants, and the Old Synagogue. Every year in June/July a Festival of Jewish Culture is held in this district. It attracts hundreds of performers and thousands of spectators from all over the world.
Apart from historical great features of Cracow, we should not forget that Cracow does not fall asleep during the night! Recently, Cracow has become one of the most common party destinations. Another reason for its party feature is that Cracow is a student city. And where are students, there parties and a lot of entertainment. There are many clubs, restaurants and bars almost everywhere so everyone will find something for his own taste.
Attractions in neighborhood
When you are already in Cracow, you cannot miss to visit Wieliczka. It is famous for one of the world’s oldest salt mines, which is open to sightseers. Like the Old Town of Cracow, Wieliczka has been recorded on the UNESCO list of World Heritage.
It is also worth visiting places linked with Pope John Paul II, such as the town of Wadowice 40km away from Cracow, where he was born and spent his youth.
Calendar of cultural events
- Old and Young or Jazz in Cracow, held in April. www.jazz.krakow.pl
- Cracow Film Festival, May/June, www.cracowfilmfestiwal.pl
- Great Dragon Parade, June, blizej.szkoly@groteska.pl
- Jewish Cultural Festival, June/July. www.jewishfestival.pl
- International Festival of Street Theatre, July, www.teatrkto.pl
- Other events: www.pot.gov.pl/kal
Cracow on the Internet
www.krakow.pl , www.krakow2000.pl , www.wirtualnykrakow.pl
Tourist Information in Cracow
Ul.Szpitalna 25, tel. +48 12 432 01 10
Ul. Sw Jana 2, tel. +48 12 421 77 87
Ul. Jozefa 7, te. +48 12 422 04 71
Other Information
International Airport Krakow-Balice, tel. +48 12 285 51 20, www.lotnisko-balice.pl
Railway Station Krakow Glowny, tel. 94 36, +48 12 624 15 80
Main Post Office, ul. Westerplatte 20, open Mon-Fri: 7.30am-8.30pm, Sat 8am-2pm, Sun 9am-2pm
All in all, you cannot describe Cracow in a couple of sentences. Instead of reading information about that, the best thing is it try it on yourself and see why everyone, when asked about Cracow, is smiling and saying “the most lively and best city in Poland that you cannot miss”.
