Krakow is one of those cities that can meet all of your needs. It was one of those trips that seemed to be thrown together at the last minute. My friend had been living there for a while and had fallen in love with it. So I took advantage of the opportunity to pay her a visit while also visiting Krakow.
It is the second largest city in Poland and one of the country’s major centers of art and culture, located on the banks of the Vistula (Wisla) River.
Allow me to take you on a brief journey: here are five reasons why I adored Kraków.
1.Architecture
Krakow’s architectural beauty impressed me, with its Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, towers, and arches. The entire historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city’s main square (Rynek Glowny in Polish) is located in the heart of Krakow’s historic center and is also the largest in Europe. On a sunny day, the square is lovely, with its stalls and street vendors.
The Basilica of Santa Maria, built in 1397 and famous for its incredible ceiling painted dark blue and gold to resemble the night sky, stands on one side. Every hour, you can hear the trumpet signal from the top of the tallest tower: the melody will be interrupted halfway to commemorate a trumpeter who, legend has it, was hit in the throat while giving the alarm following the Mongol invasion of the city in the 13th century.
The Sukiennice cloth hall, with a covered market, is located on the opposite side of the square.
2. History
Krakow is a city steeped in history and legend.
According to legend, the city was founded in the 13th century on the site of a dragon’s lair after a Polish prince defeated him and built a palace on top of it. The palace in question is the Wawel, from which the fire-breathing dragon can still be seen when looking directly down the river (even though it is made of bronze and spits fire every five minutes).
The Wawel Castle was the home of the Polish kings and one of Europe’s largest royal castles.
For a long time, Krakow was the capital of Poland; in 1596, it ceded that role to Warsaw, but the historical period for which Krakow is most well-known is that of the Second World War: the city was indeed invaded a few days after the war began, becoming the capital of the central German government. The Nazis took control of the Wawel Castle and forced the local Jews to flee to a ghetto before being deported to a concentration camp. This is a very dark period in not only the city’s history, but also in world history. The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp can still be visited today. Among the top attractions from this era is the Schindler factory, whose story has been adapted for the big screen. Oskar Schindler ran a smelting factory in Kraków, employing over a thousand Jews. When the German authorities started evacuating the ghettos, Schindler argued that he needed his employees to continue working in the factory. As a result, he was permitted to relocate his Jewish employees to a new factory in Bohemia, saving 1200 of them from certain death. He spent his entire fortune on bribes and the black market to keep them alive, and his story inspired the film Schindler’s List (partly shot in the vicinity).
His former factory has been turned into a museum. This is mostly about the occupation of Kraków, which is fascinating in and of itself, but there is also a section about Schindler and the people he saved.
3.The Food
Krakow is well-known for its authentic Polish cuisine. There are a variety of dishes available, including pierogi (dumplings), bigos (stew), and kielbasa (sausage). Try the local specialty, “Zapiekanka,” a type of pizza with a crispy crust and a variety of toppings.
4. The Nightlife
Krakow has a thriving nightlife, with numerous bars and clubs to choose from. The city is well-known for its music and cultural events, and there are numerous festivals and concerts held throughout the year.
5.The People
Krakow’s people are warm and friendly, and the city has a strong sense of community. The locals will make you feel welcome whether you are walking through the streets, visiting a local market, or enjoying a coffee at a café.
In conclusion, Krakow has it all: history, culture, food, nightlife, and friendly people. I strongly advise visiting this lovely city and experiencing it for yourself.
To find out more, here are other articles on Krakow:
Discovering the Charm of Krakow
A Day at Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp: A Journey and Reflections
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