Kraków

Kraków is a city with many faces. Once the capital of Poland and home to Polish kings, its iconic Wawel Hill boasts a castle steeped in history. It’s also a city of education, with Jagiellonian University—one of the oldest in Europe—where the famed astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) once studied. In the 19th century, Kraków served as the capital of Western Galicia, becoming a key railway hub connecting Warsaw, Lviv, and Vienna.

Kraków has long been a cultural haven. The medieval sculptor Veit Stoss left his mark with the breathtaking altar in St. Mary’s Basilica, and painters like Jan Matejko, Jacek Malczewski, and Stanisław Wyspiański enriched the city’s artistic legacy in the 19th and 20th centuries. The artistic spirit of Kraków is alive in its urban design, historic architecture, ornate church interiors, and stately palaces.

Another important facet of Kraków is its Jewish heritage. For centuries, Christian and Jewish cultures coexisted here, creating a unique blend of traditions. This legacy is especially evident in the Kazimierz district, once a separate town but now part of the city center. Kazimierz brims with vibrant cafés, galleries, and shops selling antiques and crafts. It’s also famous for the annual Jewish Culture Festival, which attracts international stars of klezmer, folk, jazz, and more.

We invite you to explore Kraków’s many sides. Our journey begins on Wawel Hill, the heart of Polish history and culture, where you’ll see the Sigismund Bell, royal tombs in the cathedral, and the historic castle.

Next, we’ll stroll through the narrow, romantic streets of the Old Town. Highlights include the courtyard of Jagiellonian University with its charming clock, and the medieval Cloth Hall, where you can shop for traditional souvenirs. At St. Mary’s Basilica, we’ll hear the famous “hejnał” trumpet call, which ends abruptly in homage to a legendary story: during a Mongol invasion, a watchman sounded the alarm from the church tower. Though his warning saved the city, the trumpeter was struck down mid-melody.

Kraków’s beauty, history, and vibrant culture await you—let us guide you through its remarkable story.

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On a fine day the Tatra Mountains are visible from Krakow. Picture source: http://www.krakow4u.pl/eng_index.php?parametr=eng_glowna_s
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One of the streets of Old Krakow. Picture source: PolishOrigins resources.

We would also like to show you  some museums ? and there are a lot of them here. We?ve chosen two which are the most interesting in our opinion. The first one is the Main Market squares  underground exhibition. The title is: ?Following the traces of European identity of Krakow?. It is a multimedia show, a journey in time. The  museum is using modern techniques such as holography to present the reconstructions of buildings. There are also some models in three dimensions , which can be seen on one of the 37 touch screens and there is a vapor screen and dozens of different projectors.

Visitors wander through underground glass ramps and footbridges, suspended over medieval archaeological remains, the oldest of which dates back to the eleventh century.

The video from underground exhibition

Our second proposition for you is The Ethnographic Museum in Krakow. Located in Kazimierz area, in the ancient town hall. The museum was renovated a few years ago, combining  the old, valuable collections of traditional culture relects with modern ethnographic and anthropological perspectives.

It will be the best resume of our trip to Galicia and the world of our ancestor’s everyday life. The museum presents the houses interiors of different regions, Polish traditional costumes but also spiritual culture and traditional art. In this museum space we would be able to sum up the places, moments and experiences we have shared during this few days together.

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The interiors from museum, picture source: http://etnomuzeum.eu/
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Easter eggs – Pisanki. Source: http://etnomuzeum.eu.

(See also what one of our guests said about Kraków.)

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