Krakow

Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 50.06465
• Longitude: 19.94498

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Introduction

Krakow, Wawel Castle

© All Rights Reserved Gelli

Having been lucky enough to escape the worst of the bombing during the second World War, Krakow has an edge over most other Polish cities when it comes to the amount of historic buildings still standing. The preserved city centre with its cobblestoned streets, dozens of churches, monasteries and abbeys still holds an old world charisma that has helped make it one of Poland's most popular tourist destinations and in the summer buses full of tourists crowd the city centre.

Located in the southeast of Poland on the banks of the river Wisa, the 'new Prague ' was originally the home of Polish royalty, before Warsaw became the countries capital. Throughout the centuries as Poland was under Habsburg, Prussian and Russian rule, Krakow, specifically the central market square of Rynek Glowny, was the rallying point for independence.

Districts

• The Old Town (Stare Miasto) - inside the old town walls
• Kazimierz District - traditional Jewish area
• Wawel Hill - the Castle and Cathedral
• Zwierzyniec - old royal hunting ground containing Blonia Meadow
• Bronowice
• Kleparz (north of the city)
• Wesola
• Podgorze
• Nowa Huta