Krakow is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. It is situated on the bank of the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The city dates back to the seventh century. Krakow has grown from a Stone Age settlement to Poland’s second-most-important city. This place is so marvelous that it looks like a Disney movie. It has cobbled streets lined with horse-pulled carriages and beautiful squares surrounded by pretty buildings and churches that tell art and culture. The city even has a cooler edge and a fascinating recent history to discover.
Here are 7 Reasons to Visit Krakow
1. Auschwitz concentration camp
KL Auschwitz was a complex of over 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland. The history of this place dates back to the II World War, when Germany established concentration camps in Europe. This destination will teach you a little bit more about the cruel history and the fate of innocent people who were sent straight to death. One who visits the Museum is touched by the story of Auschwitz.
2. The Old Town
The Old Town is in Krakow, Poland. This complete medieval is the first site selected for UNESCO’s original World Heritage List. It is even one of Poland’s official national Historic Monuments. The Old Town is home to about six thousand historic sites and more than two million works of art. Its historic architecture includes Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic buildings. The country’s places, theaters, churches, and mansions display various colors, furnishings and architectural details, stained glass, paintings, and sculptures. The Old Town tourist attractions are the Town Hall Tower, the Sukiennice old tenements with fine shops, and the Adam Mickiewicz Monument are all located there.
3. Main Market Square
The major reason to visit Krakow is its stunning market square, which is located in Krakow’s Old Town. The main market square dates back to the 13th century. This market is the biggest medieval town square in Europe. The area is filled with charming historic townhouses and churches. The square has a main building named Cloth Hall, which dominates Krakow’s main square. A cloth hall contained trading stalls for sale such as wax, and salt, and exotic imports such as silks and spices. Main Market Square is surrounded by many picturesque streets with cafes, restaurants, and shops. This place is perfect for relaxing.
4. St. Mary’s Basilica
St. Mary’s Basilica is a brick Gothic church close to the Main Market Square in Krakow, Poland. It was built in the 14th century. This church is mainly famous for its wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Historic Centre of Krakow in 1978. Basilica was reconstructed because of the Mongol invasion in 1259. Near the main square, the Basilica perfectly matches the buildings around it. The construction exterior was made of brick, the characteristic feature of Polish Gothic architecture. From the basilica’s tower every hour a trumpet plays hejnal Mariacki. While a bugle call played in honor of a famous trumpeter.
5. Wawel Castle
The Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Hill on which it sits constitute the most historically and culturally significant site in Poland. It is one of the biggest castles that covers around 7,040 m2. The castle was established on the orders of King Casimir III the Great. Wawel Castle is an amazing masterpiece built in different European architectural styles. It consists of a beautiful Cathedral, Royal Gardens, and Outer Courtyard. Wawel has received the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a salt mine in the town of Wieliczka, near Krakow in southern Poland. This wonderful destination is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At this place, one can admire the shafts and labyrinthine passageways, displays of historic salt-mining technology, an underground lake, four chapels numerous statues carved by miners out of the rock salt, and more recent sculptures by contemporary artists.
7. National parks
Tatra National Park
If you are a nature lover then you will love to know that there are many charming places in the vicinity of Krakow. Tatra National Park is a national park located in the Tatra Mountains in Tatra County, in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship in central-southern Poland. One can admire the wonderful fauna and flora here. In Tatra National Park there are around 650 caves, Wielka Sniezna is the longest and the deepest of all. There are sublime streams and waterfalls such as Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza. Tatra National Park also has many stunning lakes.
Ojcow National Park
Ojcow National Park is a national park in Krakow County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland, established in 1956. It was first established in 1956. One can admire fascinating limestone and rock formations, medieval Ojcow Castle, gothic Pieskowa Skała Castle, and the famous King Lokietek’s Cave. The Park is very biodiverse, over 5500 species reside in the park. These include 4600 species of insects and 135 birds. While mammals include the beaver, badger, ermine, and 15 species of bats.