Krakow’s Old Town

Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is more than 1,000 years old. It is located in a valley near the Carpathian Plateau. The city is crossed by the Vistula River. Krakow is Poland’s cultural centre, despite the fact that Warsaw is its capital. But it was here that the coronation ceremonies of monarchs were held.

Historical Info

According to the documents that have been studied, the town was first mentioned in the chronicles of Arab merchants dating back to 965. At that time the settlement was not as big as it was afterwards. Already in the period from 1038 to 1596 Krakow had been functioning as the capital of the Polish capital. Krakow functioned as the capital of the Polish Kingdom.

Today’s introduction to it should begin in the Old Town. It can be found in the centre of Krakow. The area is given the same name – Stare Miasto. The area is notable for its architectural diversity. There are many interesting buildings, designed in the Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.

The old town acts as a pedestrian zone. Despite the limited space, there are plenty of sights to see. There’s even a hiking route called the Royal Route. It was the route once used to take visitors visiting Polish monarchs and introduce them to the city.

Main attractions

The heart of Old Krakow is Market Square. It looks much as it did when it was built. It is also one of the largest in Europe. The area is peppered with gorgeous palaces and churches, preserved in almost pristine condition.

The centre of Market Square is decorated by the building of the Cloth Hall. Its main attraction is the original arches. Cloth was once sold there and various fairs were held. There you could pick up silver and amber jewellery. The first floor is occupied by the National Museum of Krakow. There is a painting “Lady with an Ermine” by Leonardo da Vinci.

Walk around the building and you’ll find the City Hall Tower. It once housed the town treasury and the cellars were used as the Dorotka prison. Climb up to the observation deck, which has a decent-sized area, and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Krakow.

Next, head on over to the Marian Church. It has a Gothic style and is famous for its splendid altar with a crucifix. The latter was designed by German sculptor Wit Stwosz. The altar was considered one of the largest in Europe during the Middle Ages. In the middle is a depiction of the coronation of the Virgin Mary with the Blessed Trinity. The circular view offers a glimpse of moments from her life.

Another place of interest is the Florian Tower. It is part of the Florian Church and was first mentioned in 1307 (according to archive documents). The tower is 34.5 metres high. One side of the tower is decorated with a white eagle – the Polish coat of arms – and the other with the figure of St. Florian, who is the patron saint of Poland. Inside you can see an ancient icon and a chapel.

Krakow’s Old Town has many noteworthy sights. Get to know them by following the “Royal Road”, or you can walk around the area on your own. There are plenty of shops and cafes where you can grab a bite to eat when you need a break from your stroll.