Poland travel & hotel guide

THE OLD TOWN

The Old Town in Krakow is one of the most beautiful and the most eagerly visited historic places in Europe. In enchants incomparable beauty of monuments. Besides the main attractions such as Wawel, Mariacki Church it is worth going through every alley that diverges from the Square The Square is one of the largest in Europe and covers the space of 200 * 200 m. The Cloth Hall with a Renaissance edifice from XVI which was used by merchants long time ago, are situated in the middle of the Square. The entrance to the Square is guarded by Florianska Gate, it is a tower, built in 1307. Just in front of Florianska Gate the Barbican is built which is one of not many surviving such types of buildings in Europe. Barbican was built in 1498 and was modeled rather on the Arabic than European defensive art. The Barbican is surrounded by a moat and its three meters high ramparts which has 130 gaps that were used to throw bullets against enemies. At the Florianska Street which starts from Florianska Gate, there is the oldest hotel in Poland - "Pod Roza". In this hotel used to stay F. Liszt, Tsar Aleksander I. The Extension of Florianska Street is Grodzka Street, at which Franciscans' monastery stands, built in 1269, (this is the only original in Krakow a church built of wood.), Dominican Church of the Holy Trinity like also the baroque church of St. Peter and Paul. The Town Hall Tower stands in the West part of Marketplace, it is the only remnant from XIV c. of the Town Hall which was pulled down in 1820. In the time from April to September one can see from the Tower a beautiful view on Krakow's Old Town.

THE ROYAL CASTLE ON WAWEL ( Zamek Krolewski)
Wawel 5

The Castle on Wawel is one of the most magnificent Renaissance royal residences in Europe. This place attracts tourists with its magic of one hundred years of history. Wawel was built in 1000 year when the bishopric was made in Krakow and from 1025, reigned there kings. Between 1504 - 1535 the Castle was reconstructed and its appearance was changed. Besides Gothic and Roman elements in the Castle's architecture most is Renaissance. There is a museum in the Castle that has thousands worth watching exhibits some of which dates from XV/XVI c. Many tourists who visit Wawel are attracted with unique royal chambers, crown vault and armament. In the West part of museum there is an Oriental Art Museum where are presented exhibits of Far and Near East.

Opening hours: (Wawel Hill) daily Apr-Sep, 0600-2000; Oct-Mar 0600-1700; (attractions) Tues-Fri 0930-1530/1630

CATHEDRAL ON WAWEL
Wawel 3

Basilic and Gothic Cathedral that comes from XI c. it was a place of coronations and buries most of Polish monarchs. There are kept also relics of St. Stanisław. One of many chapels is Sigismund Chapel, considered as the most wonderful work of art of Renaissance in the Middle Europe. Another delightful monument is the Holy Cross Chapel and St. Leonard's Crypt from XII c. During a tour one cannot omit Sigismund Tower, from which the Krakow's panorama spreads and there is the biggest bell in Poland - Sigismund Bell. The Bell was cast in 1520 and has over 2 met height and weight of 11 tons.


Opening hours: May-Sep Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1215-1700; Nov-Mar Mon-Sat 0900-1500, Sun 1215-1500

THIEVES' TOWER (BASZTA ZŁODZIEJSKA)
Wawel 5

Dragon's Lair Tower is one of three Gothic Towers on Wawel Hill that was built in XIV c. Under the Hill there is a large cave that is called Dragon's Lair. According to the legend once the cave was dwelled by a dragon.




ST. MARY'S CHURCH (KOSCIOŁ MARIACKI)
Rynek Główny 4

It is situated in the East part of Square in front of the Cloth Hall. This Gothic church from 1222, is one of the most beautiful cathedral in Poland. Among many exhibits of the cathedral one can see at the very first sight a monumental, Gothic altar designed by Wit Stwosz from 1447-1489 that is the biggest Gothic altar in Europe. From the Cathedral Tower there is played a bugle-call every day what commemorates Tartar invasion on Poland in XIII c.