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22-25
June 2010
Kraków
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Kraków is located in the southern part of Poland next to the Vistula River in a valley at the foot of the Carpathian Plateau, 219 metres above sea level. Approximately 300 km (190 miles) north is Warsaw, the capital of Poland, and 100 km (60 miles) south the Tatra Mountains are situated, forming the southern border of the country. The city covers an area of 327 sq. km.
Highlights
The Wawel Castle is one of Poland's greatest architectural treasures and a priceless national heritage monument. It was here that the Polish kings were crowned and buried. The Castle walls contain remains of pre-Romanesque, Romanesque and Gothic buildings, but its present-day style is that of the Renaissance. This appearance was given to the Castle by king Sigismund I the Old in the years 1507-36. Restored, the Wawel Castle compound consists of the Outer Court with the adjacent Cathedral Assembly, and of the Arcade Court surrounded by the Castle wings. The Castle is guarded by defense fortifications spiked with turrets. In 1978 UNESCO placed the Wawel Castle on its List of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage.
This is the largest medieval town square in Europe with a number of Kraków ’s historical buildings including: the gothic St. Mary’s Basilica (famous for its wooden altar carved by Wit Stwosz), the centrally located renaissance Cloth Hall, the St. Adalbert Church, the Town Hall Tower, and the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. Nearly all the houses and palaces surrounding the Main Square are of historical interest, On full every hour, a trumpet signal is played from the top of the taller of St. Mary's two towers.
Kazimierz, the south-east quarter of Kraków , was the historical centre of Kraków 's Jewish religious and social life The most precious monuments of Jewish culture in Kraków are: the Old Synagogue , the Remuh Synagogue and the Remuh Cemetery.
In the vicinity of Kraków , there are many tourist attractions including the medieval Wieliczka Salt Mine. It features a 3.5-km touring route with sculptures carved out of rock salt.
For more detailed information on Kraków ’s main attractions please visit the website of Kraków .
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