Krakow is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland
The city dates back to the 7th c. and is spread along the Vistula River
The city has a population of around 800k
As soon as we got into the Old Town here, I knew I was going to really enjoy exploring Krakow!
The streets were lined with beautiful colourful buildings with detailed artworks and interesting statues, especially the Old Town as soon as I stepped foot into the market square and looked around I actually took in a deep breath and was like.. “WHOOOOOOAAAAAA” It was like stepping into a fairytale, because this square dates back to Medieval ages it still has that old unique charm and the buildings around the square
LOCATION
https://goo.gl/maps/shqvYRxrtKiKH9xx6
The Market Square from above – so artistc=ically and beautifully layed out
This really is such a beautiful city! and its known as one of Europes most lovely cities
The Old Town and Wawel Castle is a Unesco Heritage site in 1978 and one of the first sites marked as a Unesco site
It was an old stone age settlement and now Polands second most important city
The 15th and 16th c. was known as the “golden age”where the Renaissance art and the architecture was created
THE KRAKOW OLD TOWN
Kraków Old Town is the historic central district of Kraków, Poland.
This is the oldest part of Krakow and is preserved since the middle ages
It is one of the most famous old districts in Poland today and was the centre of Poland’s political life from 1038 until King Sigismund III Vasa relocated his court to Warsaw in 1596.
Medieval Kraków was surrounded by a 3 km (1.9 mi) defensive wall complete with 46 towers and seven main entrances leading through them. The fortifications around the Old Town were erected over the course of two centuries.
The current architectural plan of Stare Miasto – the 13th-century merchants’ town – was drawn up in 1257 after the destruction of the city during the Tatar invasions of 1241 followed by raids of 1259 and repelled in 1287.
The district features the centrally located Rynek Główny, or Main Square, the largest medieval town square of any European city.
There are a number of historic landmarks in its vicinity, such as St. Mary’s Basilica (Kościół Mariacki), Church of St. Wojciech (St. Adalbert’s), Church of St. Barbara, as well as other national treasures. At the centre of the plaza, surrounded by kamienice (row houses) and noble residences, stands the Renaissance cloth hall Sukiennice (currently housing gift shops, restaurants and merchant stalls) with the National Gallery of Art upstairs. It is flanked by the Town Hall Tower (Wieża ratuszowa).
Walking along VISTULA RIVER along the exciting and bustling walkways by the river, there are stands selling goods and drinks / food, games for kids, there is so much to do and see along this section of the river infront of the castle
The beautiful Wawel Castle & Cathedral complex
People relaxing, doing there own thing
Food sellers selling local foods
I bought a few things from the stall, fridge magnets for a friends mum, also some old coins for me
The crowd were out and about enjoying the awesome weather
Karkow Seminary
Walking along the old city walls
The amazing Cathedral in the castle complex, made up of all different styles of architecture, it was beautiful!
Making our way through the streets towards the market square
St Andrews Apostle Church & Poor Claires Monastery
Built in the 11th c. behind the city walls of contemporary Krakow. The church played the role of a fortnress and served a sa shelter when the town was in danger
Poor CLare Sisters was founded in 1212 by Clare inspired by and guided by her fellow townsman, the future St Franics of Assissi and in a short time many monasteries following this way of life led by Clare and her sisters sprang up all over Italy and the world
A beautiful old door
CHURCH OF ST ANDREW
is one of the oldest Krakow churches. Built between 1079 and 1098 it is the only church in Krakow that survived the Mongol invasion of 1241 without detriment. It is the best preserved Romanesque church in Krakow and in Poland
Church of St. Andrew was rebuilt during the 12th century, but it retained the original Romanesque shape. The only non-Romanesque elements of the church are the two helmets on top of the towers and the interior.
In 1320, the church was entrusted to the Religious Order of Poor Clares, for which a convent was built next to it. Nuns led the lives of contemplation and restrained from contacting the outside world.
Located near the castle along the main street into the market square
So many people out and about shopping, exploring, eating, drinking
ST MARYS BASILICA
Dating from 14th c. This cathedral is spectacular! Designed in Gothic architecture and Its been here since Medieval times – I love the different towers, both have a different style yet they work well together – 80ms high
St. Mary’s Basilica with its imposing red brick facade and its artistic treasures is one of the most beautiful and important landmarks of the city, as well as being one of the greatest examples of Polish Gothic art and architecture
Its Neo Gothic interiors feature frescoes, stained glass windows and finely decorated vaults, the work of prominent artists Jan Matejko, Stanisław Wyspiański, and Józef Mehoffer, famous for being some of the most important masters of Polish neo-Gothic art
The inside of St Mary s Basilica is so unique and interesting! its one of the most amazing Cathedral interiors ive ever seen!
The detailing and the eccentric dark colours are just beautiful and as soon as you walk in the flecks of gold and colours keep you in awe!
every hour you can attend the Hejnał Mariacki ceremony, a centuries-old tradition performed at the basilica every day and night, when a bugler plays this trumpet call marking the stroke of the hours
I believe a Replica of the shroud of Turin
The Polish painter Jan Matejko, author of the neo-Gothic painted murals that adorn the vaults around the main altar, also participated in the same restoration
On the organ balcony is a wonderful art nouveau stained glass window, dating back to the restoration carried out in the 19th century by Polish artists Stanisław Wyspiański and Józef Mehoffe
St. Mary’s Basilica Trumpet Call at noon is broadcast live on Polish National Radio 1, throughout Poland and the rest of the world
St. Mary’s Trumpet Call, is a traditional five-note Polish anthem, played since the 14th century to signal the opening and closing of city gates at dawn and dusk, or to warn of fires and other dangers, such as enemy attacks
According to legend, during the Mongol siege of Krakow (which occurred in the 13th century), a sentry blew his trumpet from the top of the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica (the first version, which was destroyed by the Mongols and later rebuilt as it appears today) to warn of the enemy’s arrival, but was killed before completing the melody. This is why the Hejnał Mariacki is abruptly interrupted today when the trumpeter plays it
BISHOPS PALACE
This building was first mentioned in 14th C. And was consumed by fire in 1462 and rebuilt and continually added to and changed during the next centuries
The present building is 19th c. Polish Renaissance and Baroque decorations
I loved the horse and carriages trotting around the Old Town centre
The market place shared by pedestrians and cyclists
People are out and about all over the place, enjoying themselves and exploring the market square nd surrounds – eating drinking in the many restaurants and cafes
CHURCH IF ST ADALBERT
This church is one of the oldest churches in Poland!
The church was built in the 11th c. and named after the martyred missionary Saint Adalbert
Its almost 1000 byear history goes back to the the beginning of Polish Romanesque architecture of the early Middle Ages
The Interior – this little church was the place of worship first visted by merchants traveling from across Europe
The floor level is actually under the present day level of the square which shows the layering of the surfaces of the plaza
You cant miss it when you get to the main town square
The Cloth hall on the main square – dates back to the Renaissance and is one of the citys most recognisable icon
Since 1978 hs been listed as a UNESCO heritage site – Traveling merchants used to meet here and discuss business and to barter
During its golden age in the 15th c. the hall was the source of a variety of exotic imports from the east (spices, silk, leather and wax) while Krakow itself exported textiles, lead and salt
Detailings on the door of the cathedral
There is so much beautiful artistic details around the town centre
More beautiful details
Some of the beautiful horses taking a break
Those details are just divine!! So much love and patience has been put into the asthetics of the buildings – I wish they did the same these days – seems we have gone backwards in architecture tbh
Lunch time sandwich and salad stop and some reading about Krakow
The colourful old town buildings with St Marys Basilica sticking out with its 2 mismatched towers
Heading out of the market square down Grodzka St
Zooming in on the castle complex – so beatiful!
The square behind St Marys Basilica in the Old Town
Juliusz Słowacki Theatre – a 19th c. theatre opera house and UNESCO world heritage site on Holy Spirit Square
Designed by Jan Zawiejski
Modeled after some of the best european Baroque and eclectic theatres, one being in Paris the Palais Garnier
The inside of the theatre
View from the top with the gorgeous green roof
More beautiful details
Exploring the back streets and saw this awesome entrance to a museum, stone books sculpted into the front near the entrance
Love the singing in the rain grafitti – even a derelict building looks beautiful here
Part of the barbican and city wall and Wawel Castle and Cathedral
So pleasantly surprised and amazed by Krakow! I really feel you need a good 3-5 full days to really enjoy and appreciate the architecture and the amazing old energy of this city
I came in not really knowing what to expect and I left with my mouth hanging open in amazement!
The Wandering Passport 