Tag: Krakow

Tag: Krakow

Chapter 4 – Zakopane & masala farts

This post is part of a series of posts following the adventures of a man on a mission to explore 20 countries around Europe on a motorcycle – go to One for the road.

Chapter 4

The road between Krakow and Zakopane is undergoing massive works, so it’s endless adverts and diesel fumes and 60km before I can do 80kph. We pass through a patch of cut-grass smell, and then there’s two pretty girls hitch-hiking northwards, something I’ve not seen in Britain for decades.

Zakopane

Alpiney

Mile after mile of green sprinkled and banded by bright yellow dandelions, and roadside stalls selling goatskin and sheepskin rugs begin to appear. A young girl stands  in the middle of a field with her cow and blonde ponytail and slim blue jeans. Three hours later, it all becomes alpiney, with log cabins and big advertising hoardings, mostly for rooms.

Getting somewhere

When the Tatry finally appear through the spring haze, an unbroken line that fills the horizon, their sides and cols streaked with snow, I stop for petrol, then climb over a wooden fence to sit on a grassy bank and revel in the sun. A light plane rocks and crabs, swaying in the wind, and I sit and watch some kind of bird of prey rise in broad circles in a thermal, up and up without moving its wings. A thousand metres away, a shepherd descends the slope with a spread of sheep as densely white as spilt milk.

I begin to feel that I am getting somewhere.

Zakopane

It’s not much further on that the houses begin to grow steep roofs, with little wire fences running along the gutter to hold the snow back when it comes, and then we cruise into the outskirts of Zakopane, past a McDonald’s and a Tesco’s. I ride the streets for a while, looking for a suitable room, before remembering that I am a YHA member.

Zakopane

I almost immediately find the sign at the top of a drive, about fifty yards down which a red and white bar bars the way. There’s an intercom machine on a post, and when I lean across and ask it if this is the way to the YHA there is a resounding “NIE!”, but just as I’m wondering what to do next the bar lifts, and we roll on down.

Wellington boots

I park the bike and walk round to the front of a large, newish building, and up the stairs to the reception area, where I ask a young man about rooms. He just looks blankly at me, so look around for help and see another young man, dressed all in black, with heavy-duty Wellington boots. Then I realise they all are, but for some reason this doesn’t stop me asking him if there are any free rooms, and he says no, because this is the Fire Station. The hostel is back up the drive, right by the big sign that says YHA.

Bike problems

The bike starts immediately and just as immediately dies and won’t re-start. Sighing, I take the tank bag off and trudge up to the large hostel, and am given a bed in Room 782, which has four other beds, then go back down to the bike, which now  condescends to start, but misses when I turn the handlebars, indicating an electrical problem, which after a lot of pinching and tweaking, I narrow down to a bend in the cable near the steering yoke. I squeeze hard, and the lights come on. I let go. They go out. I slit the sheath and at once see the tiny, fine green of corroded copper.

I take a four-inch length of surplus extra wire (at least I hope it’s surplus) from inside the headlight cowl, splice it in and press the starter button. The engine starts instantly. Now all I need is the insulation tape that has been in the tool box for the last year but strangely now isn’t.

It’s a Kind of Magic

I make a wide detour of a couple of very weathered old men in baseball caps and very loud sweaters, bottle in hand, dancing a jig on the pavement, and go in to a bar, to find all rustic pine and many locals whiling away the lunchtime. Pop music, table football, ancient skis, cowbells, china beer mugs, the sort of lanterns you use on dark snowy nights with your horse-drawn sleigh. The jukebox plays Queen’s It’s a Kind of Magic, while outside farmers sit beneath parasols and drink beer and four  goats and a sheep graze.

People clump to and fro across the bare wooden floor. A middle-aged university professor-looking type of bloke wins nothing during the time it takes me to drink two beers. As I leave, he moves onto the next machine and starts again.

It’s only a short walk into town, and as I leave the bar a horse-drawn cart, like a huge cattle trough with a lorry wheel at each corner, rumbles past, identical to the ones still so common in Romania. Although Zakopane is Poland’s premier ski resort and hiking centre, it’s actually quite a small town which has grown from being a very small village which in the 17th century served the local mining and metallergy industries, but now serves the tourists, who, attracted by the unique food, architecture, music, and costume of goral culture, now annually outnumber the inhabitants ten to one.

Lesser Poland

Krupówki

The town spreads out very clearly from the junction between just two streets, the main one of which, Krupówki, is a steeply sloped thoroughfare lined throughout with souvenirs shops, restaurants, horse-drawn rides in carriages in summer and sleighs in winter, and the street performers found in any European resort.

Bloody Yanks!

I find an internet café and pay some nominal sum for half an hour’s use. The young American couple using the console next to me are absolutely typical of their type; flawless and tanned skin in which frank and friendly eyes and big white teeth shine whitely, and both have heavy, glossy hair. They wear chunky and sensible clothes, and open sandals.

They speak with that penetrating American confidence that truly unaware people have, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Within five minutes he gets up to go and find the guy who runs the place. “Excuse me,” he drawls audibly from the reception hall, with a voice that glows with the warmth of a Texan evening, “but is it possible to get Windows in English?” Typical brash Yank behaviour, is my inescapable reaction.

I don’t hear the reply, but when he comes back to his seat, sits down and reaches for his mouse, his sleeve falls back, revealing the bright red plastic band round his wrist, one of those things that everybody from presidents to fifteen-year old schoolgirls wears to show how much they care about whatever the current must-have bleeding heart must support.

And I read, repeated all the way round it, interspersed with the shape of a maple leaf, the word CANADA.

Zakopane

Local architecture

Zakopane has a specific style of architecture based on the motifs and traditions of the Carpathian Mountains, which is exploited throughout the town, along the back streets of which I stroll in order to work up an appetite for an early supper. Some could be used by Hollywood for horror films requiring ramshackle timber buildings with steepled towers, flapping shutters, leafless trees and lightning crackling in the background, while others are simply lovely ancient dwellings; the new ones have been built with enormous orange pine logs of a kind you’d never see in Britain, and roofed with sheets of shining tin. Plastic goats, rabbits, gnomes, storks are popular garden ornaments, and everywhere there is the sound of lawn mowers at work.

After a delicious meal as the only customer in a huge and echoingly deserted Chinese restaurant, I return to the hostel, where I find arranging her possessions on one of the beds in Room 782 the most beautiful young lady I have seen for two days: a halo of fine flaxon hair around an open, broad-cheeked face with blue eyes and a smiley mouth.

00ps7

Suzi is Austrian, and when she hears that I’m English, her eyes light up. “Ooh, you’re English! I just love your English accent, and English gentlemen are sooo sexy you’re motorcycling alone through Europe wow that’s so cool I just love James Bond  I’ll be here for a few days I’m going out for dinner now but see you tomorrow don’t leave without me byee!”

I go to bed with a light heart.

At some point during the night, I surface briefly and the aloo baingan masala I had for supper blatters forth in the longest and most stentorian fart I have heard in my life, which just goes on and on out into the darkness, before I snuggle back into sleep.

It is six when I wake from my early night, and I remember the conversation with Suzi and my heart lifts again and I raise my head to see if she’s also awake – is it too early to suggest going into town for breakfast?

Her bed is empty. I sit up and look around. Her shelves are empty, her pack gone. I dress and go down to Reception, where I ask the boy on duty if the Austrian girl changed her room last night.

“No,” he says. “Miss Weiss checked out an hour ago.”

“She didn’t say where she was going?”

“No,” he says again. “She seemed to be in a big hurry.”

Sadly, James Bond climbs back up to his room.

Go to Chapter 5

Motorcycle Rental

Chapter 3 – Auschwitz, Krakow & a few beers

This post is part of a series of posts following the adventures of a man on a mission to explore 20 countries around Europe on a motorcycle – go to One for the road.

Chapter 3

High clouds are clearing a late afternoon sun as supper, meatballs, with chips and salad and a Zywiec beer, is taken alone at a long table in a refectory full of many long tables, all adorned with Easter bunnies and other oddments of Christianity. I’ve noticed today the daffodils and yellow tulips and the cemeteries all inundated by new, fresh, brightly coloured flowers.

Across the hall, a family of indeterminate nationality eat their supper, and when they’ve finished they get up and every one of them turns to mouth ‘bye’ to me. It is the youngest girl who pauses to push in the last chair beneath the table before scampering after the others. I can safely presume which nationality they are not.

Auschwitz

Auschwitz

Up in my room, I look out of the window.  In the dusk, beyond the garden, the road, the land around the SS building, are the headlights of cars driving along the road by the railway line that transported so much immeasurable and unimaginable suffering to many hundreds of thousands of people, and the disbelief is . . . total. Incomprehension, that that is the very same road as can be seen in all the wartime photographs, and the railway which I have been following.  This building is sponsored by the Catholic Church, but I can’t help but feel that salvation for the inmates of KL Auschwitz didn’t come via the Almighty, who had ignored it for the previous four years, but via the men of the Red Army.

Krakow

When I reach Krakow, I go straight to the Saski, an elegant old place near the centre with a uniformed doorman and an iron and brass lift and many carpeted corridors along to my room on the top floor. Here, my tiny balcony overlooks a mosaic of lawns and yards, lifeless except for a weeping willow which trails threads of bright new green life down to the sodden ground.

There is no towel, and afterwards, as I stand on the balcony with the chill April air raising bumps on my still-damp skin, there comes a heavy sprinkle of cold water. I look up to see a pigeon preening herself on a trembling branch just above me.

Medieval market square

Every country has its own ‘must-see’ landmarks, and few people walking into Krakow’s medieval market square, the largest such square in Europe, can resist a “Wow!” when they first see the dreamlike setting for the many historic styles of architecture bordering the square.

As I reach the end of the road the market square opens out before me and I mouth a silent, “Wow” – wow because it’s a stunning picture, but silent because I’ve seen it before and I don’t want to do what I did last time, which was to walk into a lamp post as I gazed around.

Cloth Hall

Cloth Hall

In the middle is the old Cloth Hall, with the two towering spires of St Mary’s church to the left. Straight ahead is the Town Hall tower, while over there is the Church of St. Adalbert, whose foundations are a thousand years old. I stroll a full circuit of the trafficless square, rustling with the murmur of hundreds of tourists going about their lattes and beers.

Tourism

Tourism is Krakow’s main industry, as seven million local and international visitors come here annually, the Poles (the great majority) to admire with pride, the Germans, Scandinavians and Japanese to say, “Wow” at the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, the Americans to head straight for the Jewish Quarter, and the Brits to make it their Stag Party Destination of Choice, so that they can hold drinking competitions in which the winner is the first to throw up, and athletic competitions in which the stark naked winner runs a complete circuit of the square the fastest, in front of hundreds of international tourists having their supper and admiring the tranquillity of an evening in what was the European Capital of Culture in 2000.

I make my way to my old café, the ancient Camelot, with its rickety pine furniture and floor and flyblown wartime posters advertising beer and theatres. Keneally in his Schindler’s Ark describes how Schindler’s secretary found a basement bar north of the square where he could hold private parties; ‘an excellent jazz cellar in the narrow streets north of the rynek, the city square . . . popular with the students and younger staff at the university’, and I reckon this it.

It’s down a side street, with the 800-year old Baroque Church of St. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist across the road, its related buildings all around from the Eighteenth Century. I find a seat at a small corner table, and settle in to watch the world go by.

Wawel Royal Hill, Krakow

Matchlessly beautiful

You’d think that ‘matchlessly beautiful’ is a sweeping statement to make about a city which is bigger than Glasgow, boasts a vast, scratch-built socialist realist district, a steelworks which when it employed 40,000 people was the largest blast furnace in Europe and whose pollution forty years later is still adversely affecting old Krakow’s buildings and people; and is now Poland’s most important economic centre after the capital.

But you don’t get to be cited as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities for nothing, and while Gdansk, Warsaw, Poznan and Wroclaw all had their ‘old town centres’ rebuilt after the war, in Krakow you get the unmistakably real thing. There seems to be some mystery surrounding exactly how it escaped the same fate as Warsaw, which as everyone knows was flattened in 1945.

Apparently, demolition charges had been laid everywhere but the local Wehrmacht commander simply ignored his orders and went home to his wife, a decision of unimaginable consequence, since the architectural design of the Old Town has survived every upheaval since medieval times, and its almost unparalleled heritage of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings – Krakow, for centuries Poland’s royal capital, boasts six thousand historic sites – is home to more than two million works of art.

Jagiellonian University

I am sitting within metres of a dozen stunning twenty-something girls, which shouldn’t come as any surprise, since more than 200,000 students are studying here in Krakow’s twenty-four colleges, and at the Jagiellonian University (founded in 1364), with its library of more than 4 million books, and Poland is as famous for its young ladies as it is for its, er, libraries.

I tell the waiter that I’ll have three beers while I study the menu; he misunderstands the situation and brings three sets of cutlery with the beers, while I listen to a conversation going on at the table to my left. A young British man has just started work here as an English teacher, which is a coincidence because I have an interview tomorrow morning not just for the same qualification but at the same school, and his parents have come all the way from Watford to congratulate him on his achieving his Cambridge Certificate of English Teaching. Mark is a football fanatic, and worries them with talk of knives, gangs, the eight deaths (eight?) after a recent game, but that “everyone came together at the Pope’s anniversary, so don’t worry.”

Kasia

“Kasia’s name has eight different endings, depending on the context,” he tells his parents, Kasia being the anorexic teenager sitting beside him, with her huge eyes and pasted makeup, miniscule bra-less breasts, and jeans that are slung so low that occasionally they show her topmost pubes.

Breakfast the next morning is in a McDonald’s. There are fourteen others here, three of whom are in animated argument over a newspaper article, five individuals are studying, and one is reading a novel. None is as old as 30, and this is eight o’clock on a Saturday morning. None of my British friends – the youngest of whom is 28, with most in their 40s – will be up for another three hours. The restaurant itself is immaculate, and every single person clears their table when they leave.

The buds are growing visibly every day.  The trees which were black four days ago are now sprinkled with emerald.

I go to a pub recommended by the school. The Stary Port is a basement bar just round the corner, a labyrinth of connected smokey dark rooms. At the table opposite me is a young couple. The boy’s face has deep parenthesises drawn down around his mouth, his skin has suffered bad acne, and a scrubby blond beard doesn’t quite cover it.  His eyes, deep set and brilliant blue, are the only kind of eyes that could be set in such a serious and cadaverous face. His greasy blond hair is long, and he draws strongly on his cigarette.

Whatever is troubling him has his girlfriend’s sympathy, and they both sit, watching the candles and the darkness.  He could have stepped straight into the uniform of a U-boat captain after a long and hazardous mission.  However how important his problems were or were not, he wasn’t putting anything on.  He is about 25 years old.  His girlfriend brings two beers and a plate of chips. He stares and sucks on his cigarette and says nothing.

I conclude that he too has just been accepted at the language school.

A podgy young man returns from the loo, slides forward, his face on his forearms and his long hair falls across the table.  I have already read the slogan on his T-shirt:  FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

Europe on a motorcycle

The next morning, I wake to an ash-blue sky, with the bells of sweet, ancient Krakow tolling the first Mass, and begin to pack the panniers.

Go to Chapter 4

Motorcycle Rental

Historic Centre of Krakow

Krakow Historic Centre

Historic Centre of Krakow – updated 10 January 2023.

The historic centre of Krakow has been featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1978. Packed full of restaurants, museums, galleries and bars, the medieval layout of the Old Town has not changed for centuries.

Main market square

The heart and focal point of the historic centre of Krakow is its graceful main market square, the largest medieval town square of any European city.

Most visitors to Krakow visit the market square with its Cloth Hall, the Church of the Holy Mary, Wawel Hill and its Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral with its outstanding Renaissance chapel, the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate.

Historic Centre of Krakow

Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Royal Castle and the limestone Wawel Hill are extremely important historical and cultural sites containing one of the most important collection of buildings in Poland. Wawel was once the seat of Polish rulers, the residence of kings and the focal point of many Polish historical events. The hill is a symbol of the Polish nation and has witnessed some of the greatest moments in Polish history. Many Polish kings have been laid to rest below Wawel Cathedral.

Historic Centre of Krakow

Jewish quarter

The Jewish quarter of Kazimierz features a wealth of Jewish heritage with its 16th century cemetery and seven synagogues of which one is now the Jewish Museum.

The historic centre of Krakow was once surrounded by a 3km long defensive wall complete with 46 towers and seven main entrances. Today only a fragment of the old fortifications remains including the Florian Gate, the Barbican and a few towers.

Underground Museum

Beneath the city of Krakow and housed within the underground corridors of the market square, you will find a museum, which showcases how the city looked and felt during the Middle Ages complete with stone roads with potholes made by cartwheels during the 13th century.

Historic Centre of Krakow

Royal Road

The historic centre of Krakow is bisected by the Royal Road, the coronation route traversed by the Kings of Poland. The Route begins at St. Florian's Church outside the northern flank of the old city walls in the medieval suburb of Kleparz; passes the Barbican of Krakow built in 1499 and enters Stare Miasto through the Florian Gate. It leads down Floriańska Street through the Main Square, and up Grodzka to Wawel, the former seat of Polish royalty overlooking the Vistula River.

FAQ

Here are some common questions and answers that you might find helpful:

Q: Where is the Historic Centre of Krakow located?
A: The Historic Centre is located in the heart of the city of Krakow, Poland, surrounded by the Planty Park, which is a ring of public gardens that encircles the Old Town.

Q: When was the Historic Centre of Krakow designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A: It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

Q: What is the history of the Historic Centre of Krakow?
A: The Historic Centre is a well-preserved example of a medieval European town. The city played an important role in the development of the Polish state, and many of its buildings have survived from the Middle Ages. The Main Market Square is the largest medieval market square in Europe and features the Gothic St. Mary's Basilica, the Cloth Hall and the Town Hall Tower. The Wawel Castle and the Wawel Cathedral, which sit on the Wawel Hill, are also iconic landmarks of the Historic Centre of Krakow.

Q: What can I see on a visit to the Historic Centre of Krakow?
A: Visitors can explore the charming streets and squares of the Old Town, admire the many beautiful buildings and churches, and visit museums and galleries. Some of the must-see sites include the Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral, St. Mary's Basilica, the Cloth Hall, and the Town Hall Tower. You can also take a stroll along the Royal Route, which is a historical and architectural route that connect the Wawel Castle and the Main Market Square.

Q: Is the Historic Centre of Krakow open to visitors?
A: It is open to visitors year-round, but please check the official website for current opening hours and any potential restrictions.

Q: How long does a visit to the Historic Centre of Krakow last?
A: A visit to the Historic Centre can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on how much you want to see and do.

Q: Are there any special requirements to visit the Historic Centre of Krakow?
A: There are no special requirements to visit the Historic Centre, but visitors should be aware that many of the buildings and museums have limited accessibility for people with disabilities.

Q: Are there any other things to do in the area?
A: Krakow is a vibrant and culturally rich city with many things to see and do beyond the Historic Centre. Some popular attractions include the Jagiellonian University, the Kazimierz district (historical Jewish Quarter), the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which are all nearby.

Krakow Old Town Tours & Experiences

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Updated 09 January 2023.

The Wieliczka salt mine is a UNESCO World Heritage site located around 14km southeast of Kraków and is one of Poland’s most popular attractions, welcoming tourists since 1722.

Wieliczka

Going underground

Wieliczka is a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels, shafts and chambers, underground saline lakes, chapels with altarpieces, majestic timber constructions and unique statues sculpted in rock salt. The size of the mine is staggering, it reaches a depth of 327m and extends via horizontal passages and chambers for over 287 km distributed over nine levels. Only a small part of the mine is open to the public.

Wieliczka Salt Mine Sculptures

The oldest sculptures were carved out of rock salt by miners; more recent figures have been fashioned by contemporary artists. Even the crystals of the chandeliers are made from rock salt that has been dissolved and reconstituted to achieve a clear, glass-like appearance. The rock salt is naturally grey in various shades, so that the carvings resemble unpolished granite rather than the white or crystalline look that many visitors expect. The carvings may appear white in the photos, but the actual carved figures are not white.

Chapel of St Kinga

The highlight of the mine is a vast chamber housing the ornamented Chapel of St Kinga. Everything that you will see within the chamber is made from salt including altarpieces and chandeliers. It took over 30 years for three sculptors to complete this underground temple, and about 20,000 tonnes of rock salt had to be removed. The rock salt in the mine resembles unpolished granite and its natural colour is grey, not white as many people might expect.

Salt Mine

The older sculptures have been supplemented with new carvings made by contemporary artists.

Working mine

Historically, Wieliczka was a working mine; however due to falling salt prices and flooding, commercial salt mining was discontinued. The mine has produced salt since the 13th century and was one of the world’s oldest operating salt mines.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Salt Lake

Other highlights are the Salt Lake in the Erazm Barącz Chamber, whose water is denser than the Dead Sea, and the awe-inspiring 36m-high Stanisław Staszic Chamber.

If you’re worried about the air quality down there, great news: the mine’s special microclimate actually has a beneficial effect on asthma sufferers and those with allergies!

UNESCO World Heritage Site

378 steps

To get down to the 64-metre level of the mine, visitors must descend a wooden stairway of 378 steps. After the 3km tour of the mine’s corridors, chapels, statues and lake, 135 metres underground, visitors take an elevator back up to the surface. The elevator holds 36 persons (nine per car) and takes some 30 seconds to reach the surface.

Getting there

Getting to the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow shouldn’t prove too difficult or expensive. Regular buses run from the top of Starowislna Street opposite the Main Post Office, taking around forty minutes to get there. Be warned that buses are a little cramped and we advise you check departure details at one of Krakow’s tourist information offices as these routes chop and change quite a bit. You’re best asking a friendly Pole where to get off too, as this is a public bus not a tourist service.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland:

Where is the Salt Mine located?
The Salt Mine is located in the town of Wieliczka, which is about 15 km (9 miles) southwest of Krakow, Poland.

What is the history of the Salt Mine?
The Wieliczka Salt Mine has a long history dating back to the 13th century. It was one of the first salt mines in Europe to be converted into a tourist attraction, and it has been a popular tourist destination since the 19th century. The mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been recognized as one of the most valuable cultural and natural assets in Poland.

Is the Salt Mine open to the public?
Yes, the mine is open to the public. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Poland, and it attracts over 1 million visitors each year.

Is there a cost to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine?
Yes, there is a fee for visitors to enter the Salt Mine. The cost of admission varies depending on the type of tour you choose and the time of year you visit.

Are there guided tours of the Wieliczka Salt Mine?
Yes, guided tours of the Salt Mine are available for visitors. The tours are offered in a variety of languages, including English, and they take visitors through the underground tunnels and chambers of the mine.

Is the Wieliczka Salt Mine wheelchair accessible?
The mine is partially wheelchair accessible. Some areas of the mine are only accessible by stairs, but there are also some areas that can be accessed by elevator. It is recommended to contact the mine in advance to inquire about specific accessibility details.

Wieliczka Salt Mine Tours & Experiences

Lesser Poland (Malopolskie)

Lesser Poland

Lesser Poland – updated 19 January 2023.

The Lesser Poland (Malopolskie) region in Poland is located in the south of the country and is known for its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and cultural heritage. The region is bordered by the Silesian Voivodeship to the west, the Lesser Poland Voivodeship to the north, and the Slovakian border to the south.

Tatra National Park - Lesser Poland

Tatra mountains

One of the main attractions of the Lesser Poland region is the beautiful Tatra Mountains, which are a popular destination for hikers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The Tatras are the highest mountain range in Poland and are home to several national parks, including the Tatra National Park, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Tatras are also home to several historic sites, such as the Zakopane, which is a mountain resort town and the cultural capital of the region.

Lakes

The region is also home to several beautiful lakes, such as the Rożnowski and the Czorsztyński, which are popular for swimming, boating, and fishing. The region is also home to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Pieniny National Park, which is a beautiful area of rolling hills, meadows, and forests that is perfect for hiking and cycling.

Lesser Poland

Krakow

The Lesser Poland region is also known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The city of Krakow, which is the capital of the region, is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the Wawel Castle, the St. Mary's Basilica, and the Main Market Square, which is one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe. Krakow is also home to several museums, such as the National Museum and the Wawel Royal Castle, which showcase the region's history and culture.

Traditional crafts

The region is also known for its traditional crafts, such as pottery, weaving, and woodcarving. Visitors to the area can find a wide variety of handmade goods at local markets and shops. The region is also known for its delicious cuisine, which features traditional dishes such as pierogi (dumplings) and bigos (stew).

Industry and commerce

In addition to its natural beauty and cultural heritage, the Lesser Poland region is also an important center of industry and commerce. The region is home to several large manufacturing companies, including the Krakow Industrial Park, which is home to several leading companies in the automotive and electronics industries.

Wieliczka - Lesser Poland

Unique blend

Despite its industrial development, the Lesser Poland region remains a relatively undiscovered destination in Poland. Visitors to the area will find a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural heritage that makes it a great destination for those looking to explore off the beaten path.

In conclusion, the Lesser Poland region of Poland is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural heritage. The Tatra Mountains, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Pieniny National Park are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, while the traditional crafts and delicious cuisine of the region, and the historic buildings and monuments of Krakow are perfect for those looking to experience the local culture. The region's industrial development also makes it an important center of commerce in Poland. It's a destination that should not be missed for those who are interested in exploring Poland.

FAQ

Q: What is the Lesser Poland region of Poland known for?

A: The region is known for its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and cultural heritage. The Tatra Mountains, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Pieniny National Park are popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, while the traditional crafts, delicious cuisine, and historic buildings and monuments of Krakow are popular among those interested in experiencing the local culture. The region is also an important center of industry and commerce in Poland.

Q: What are some popular things to do in the Lesser Poland region?

A: Popular activities in the region include hiking and skiing in the Tatra Mountains, visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine, exploring historic buildings and monuments in Krakow, experiencing traditional crafts, and trying local cuisine.

Q: What are some popular traditional crafts in the Lesser Poland region?

A: Traditional crafts in the region include pottery, weaving, and woodcarving. Visitors to the area can find a wide variety of handmade goods at local markets and shops.

Q: What are some popular dishes in the Lesser Poland region?

A: Popular dishes in the region include pierogi (dumplings) and bigos (stew). The region is also known for its delicious cuisine, which features traditional dishes such as kiełbasa and kaszanka.

Q: How can I get to the Lesser Poland region?

A: The region is located in south of Poland. The main city of the region is Krakow, which can be reached by train or bus from other major cities in Poland. The region is also easily accessible by car and has good road connections.

Q: Are there any national parks in the Lesser Poland region?

A: Yes, the region is home to several national parks, including the Tatra National Park and the Pieniny National Park. Both parks offer beautiful landscapes, hiking trails, and opportunities for outdoor activities, as well as several historic sites.

Krakow Tours & Attractions

Wawel Royal Castle

Historical & Cultural Sites – Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Hill

Updated 11 January 2023.

Wawel Royal Castle is a historic castle located in Krakow, Poland. It is situated on Wawel Hill and overlooks the city. The castle has a long and complex history, with the original fortifications dating back to the late 9th century. The current architectural style of the castle is primarily Gothic and Renaissance, with some Baroque and Renaissance elements. The castle has been expanded and remodelled over the centuries, and it has served as a royal residence for Polish kings throughout history.

The Royal Castle and the limestone Wawel Hill are extremely important historical and cultural sites containing one of the most important collection of buildings in Poland.

Wawel Royal Castle

Residence of Kings

Wawel was once the seat of Polish rulers, the residence of kings and the focal point of many Polish historical events. The hill is a symbol of the Polish nation and has witnessed some of the greatest moments in Polish history.

Wawel Royal Castle

Castle complex

The castle complex includes several buildings, such as the Royal Castle, the Cathedral, the Wawel Dragon’s Den, and the Royal Residence. The Royal Castle contains several museums and art collections, including the Crown Treasury and Armoury, the State Rooms, and the Royal Private Apartment. The Cathedral is the coronation site of Polish kings and the burial place of many Polish monarchs, national heroes, and poets.

Located south of the old town and next to the Vistula River, Wawel Hill showcases an incredible assortment of architectural delights including Renaissance, Gothic and Romanesque designs. The Royal Castle and the Cathedral are must-see attractions and a walk around the castle courtyards and open spaces are highly recommended.

Art Museum

Today, the Royal Castle is home to a superb art museum, which is well-known throughout Europe and the World because of its collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, the Sigismund II Augustus tapestry collection, sculptures, ceramics, period furniture and textiles among others.

Wawel Royal Castle

Sections

The museum consists of five individual and separate sections: Crown Treasury and Armoury, State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments, Lost Wawel and the Exhibition of Oriental Art.

Wawel Hill has a long history, which can be traced back to the year 1000 when the first cathedral on Wawel Hill was built. Since then, Wawel has experienced many different timelines ranging from its Golden era from the 14th to the 16th centuries to the start of its decline as a centre of importance in 1609; when the then King moved his court to Warsaw.

The Royal Castle was the cultural and political heart of Poland during the 16th century and today, it stands as a potent symbol and reminder of the Polish national identity. Visitors to Wawel Royal Castle today will see a 16th century Renaissance palace; however, before this, it was a formidable Gothic castle; which was burned down in 1499

Restoration

Over the years, the castle has been repeatedly sacked and vandalised. Extensive restoration work has been carried out since and many of the castle’s external structures and interior decorations have been recovered.

The castle and its grounds are open to the public and are a popular tourist destination in Krakow, and a lot of visitors come to see the impressive architecture of the buildings and to learn about the castle’s rich history.

Wawel Royal Castle Tours & Experiences