Kraków
Kraków, the home to Wawel Royal Castle and a beautiful Old Town, is often stated to be the one of Europe's most beautiful cities. The Wawel Royal Castle has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, and the city has been the capital of Poland until 1596.
Kraków is also home to the Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest and most reputable institutions of higher education. With a rich history, Kraków is offering a variety of museums and buildings to be explored. An example could be the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine or Saint Mary's Basilica.
Kraków Town Square. By Dimitris Vetsikas on Pixabay
Wawel Royal Castle
By Dariusz Staniszewski on Pixabay
By tevenet on PixabayWawel Royal Castle
The Wawel Royal Castle is often called one of the most important historical sites in Poland. Wawel was a residency established for King Casimir III the Great, and the architecture represents Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Today, the Castle hosts a museum which can be visited by anyone. The museum includes a variety of departments, including art, sculpture, paintings and collections. This museum is also an important center for conservation of art, as it includes seven conservation studios.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
By Jacek Abramowicz on PixabayWieliczka Salt Mine
While technically not in Kraków, Wieliczka Salt Mine has had a great significance in the area near Kraków. From Neolithic times, all the way until 1996, this mine produced table salt. The mine has a depth of 327 metres and has chambers which total to over 287 kilometres.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a unique experience, no matter your expectations. Have you already been there? No worries, there are multiple paths available.
By Jacek Abramowicz on Pixabay
Saint Mary's Basilica
By krystianwin on Pixabay
By Jar.ciurus on Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0 PLSaint Mary's Basilica
This beautiful piece of architecture is quite a popular tourist attraction in Kraków. Saint Mary's Basilica was built in the 14th century, and is 80 meters tall. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.
Every hour of the day, a trumpet signal is played from the top of the Basilica. The tune breaks off mid-stream, honoring a legend about a 13th century trumpeter that was shot in the throat while sounding the tune to alert about an incoming attack. The Basilica also hosts a famous wooden altarpiece by Veit Stoss, carved in the 14th century.
