About Cracow
Cracow lies in the southern part of Poland on the Vistula River in a valley at the foot of the Carpathian Plateau, 219 metres above sea level. Approximately 300 km (190 miles) north is Warsaw, the capital of Poland, and 100 km (60 miles) south are the Tatra Mountains, forming the southern border of the country. The city covers an area of 327 km2, equal 0.1% of the country surface area.
It is not a simple task to describe the unique character of Cracow to those who still have not had the opportunity to visit this city. This uniqueness is primarily due to the rare cultural heritage embodied within the city walls. Here, in the year 1000, a Roman Catholic bishopric was founded. Here, the residential royal castle was constructed on the Wawel Hill, becoming the site for the coronations and burials of kings, as Cracow was the capital of Poland from the 11th – 17th century. Here in 1364, the Cracow Academy was established, the first Polish University (today renamed the Jagiellonian University).
The city image has changed during the past centuries. During the Middle Ages, Cracow was a safe, rich, fortified city surrounded by walls with 55 towers (fragments of the city fortification have been preserved to this day). During the Renaissance, Cracow became the centre of progressive ideas, with a culture that concentrated the most outstanding humanists, writers, architects and musicians. Even a few centuries later, while the city was going through an economic decline during the period of Modernism, quite probably the whole of the Polish artistic elite found its haven in Cracow. City life focused around the Market Square, the second largest in Europe after St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
Only few European cities have such a distinct medieval architectural layout as Cracow does. When we look down the city’s roofs we will see an exceptional checked pattern of streets, which are surrounded by fragments of the surviving city walls. This view evokes the exciting picture of a medieval fortified town surrounded by city walls. The walls were strengthened with 47 towers and had a total length of 3 km. Eight main gates led to the town. Only one of them has survived. The walls not only safeguarded the citizens but also the priceless pearls of architecture inside. The medieval fortification system survived until the 19th century. The local authorities decided to demolish the walls and replace them with a strip of green land around the city called the „Planty”. Now it forms an oval city park, a rarity in the world, which extends around the Old Town.
Tradition interlaces with modern times nearly everywhere you go, and each stone has its own history. There is a multitude of architectural monuments estimated at six thousand buildings and other types and forms of construction. This is supplemented by approximately 2.5 million artefacts collected and displayed in museums, churches and archives. Thanks to the extraordinary accumulation of cultural wealth, the city was registered as one of the 12 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It is impossible to describe or even list all the tourist attractions in Cracow. One can be sure, however, that each tourist will discover his or her own “magical” Cracow. While some will follow the footsteps of Nicholas Copernicus, others will be interested in sites linked with John Paul II. Some will be fascinated by the worldwide unique underground corridors of the Wieliczka salt mine, and, yet others will wander around the alleys of the Jewish Kazimierz district. Still others will stand enchanted in front of the Wit Stwosz altar.
Benefiting from its geographical location, Cracow aims at becoming the meeting place of many cultures and nations, and successfully claims its position as a Central European metropolis, a city of culture, art and science. Several universities are located in Cracow. Many world outstanding representatives of Polish culture reside in Cracow. The list of cultural events organised in Cracow is long. The culmination of these events took place in the year 2000, when Cracow was proudly celebrating the nomination of the City of European Culture granted by the European Union Council of Ministers.
Cultural life is not restricted to confined spaces in official institutions. There is also a thriving street culture. The Market Square and its neighbouring streets form one more stage in this city. Moreover, Cracow has its own underground system, a vast network of historical cellars that form a maze of nightlife. Many of them house theatrical and cabaret companies, for example, the famous „Piwnica pod Baranami”. It is here where freedom of speech became a reality during the post-war communist rule, an occurance that was never accepted by the city.
Nowadays, most of the cellars and underground corridors have been turned into modern pubs, cafes, and discos.
Traditions, Myths And Legends:
Cracow is also a city of tradition where the past interlaces with the present. Cracow is a city of myths, legends and dreams. City traditions are dominated by customs that date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, even though numerous stories and tales create the colour of this place. Cracow is said to have been visited by Doctor Faustus himself who cooperated with Master Twardowski, a court alchemist, in search of the philosopher’s stone. Two unique legends are connected with a Tartar raid, which broke into the history of Cracow in a very violent manner. Every hour you can hear a bugle call whose sound goes towards the four quarters of the world from the tower of St. Mary’s Church. It is then dramatically interrupted, as it was in the past when an enemy arrow hit the bugler. Yet another legend is associated with the fascinating personage „lajkonik”. According to the story, it was a Vistula River raftsman in a Tartar disguise on horseback who rode from the battlefield with a message that the „infidel” invasion had been stopped. The fascinating „lajkonik” still rides his wooden horse across the Market Square. Like centuries ago, during St. John’s night, the shortest night of the year, Krak’s inhabitants come down to the Vistula River. With the imposing castle in the background, they float wreaths down the river, thus recalling an old pagan custom. A huge open-air show, firework display and performances that bring various events from the city’s history back to life accompany the celebration. After all, Cracow will always remain a living legend.
However, Cracow is not only a city of rich traditions and history; a city of a unique architecture and numerous museums, art galleries and theatres – it is also a place where you can spend your free time actively. Here you will have an opportunity to do almost every kind of sport.
Ø
Archery:
- Klub Sportowy Płaszowianka, ul. Stóża Rybna, tel.: 653 28 21
Ø Artificial climbing walls:
- Renisport, ul. Czepca 11, tel.: 638 07 34
Ø Balloon flights, parachuting:
- Aeroklub Krakowski, al. Jana Pawła II 17, tel.: 411 10 87
Ø Bungy jumping, bungy run:
- Centrum Sportów Ekstremalnych BK Gul, ul. Młyńska Boczna 9, tel.: 417 34 56
Ø Canoeing:
- Retendo – Szkoła Kajakarstwa Górskiego i Raftingu, ul. Moszyńskiego 28, tel.: 654 7345
Ø Cross-country skiing:
- Las Wolski (the Wolski Woods)
Ø Cycling - Rent a bycicle:
* Sport MG, ul. Topolowa, tel.: 430 40 21
* Anna Ci±żyńska – Zkład Usługowo-Handlowy, ul. Dietla 73, tel.: 422 04 25
* Biuro Podróży Jordan, ul. Długa 9, tel.: 421 21 25
Ø Hang gliding:
- Aeroklub Krakowski, al. Jana Pawła II 17, tel.: 411 10 87
Ø Horse riding:
- BOTOJA, Korzkiew 49, tel.: 419 44 92
- Krakowski Klub Jazdy Konnej, ul. Kobierzyńska 175a, tel.: 262 14 18
Decjusz, ul. Kasztanowa 1, tel.: 425 24 21
Tabun – Klub Turystyki Konnej, ul. Kosmowskiej 2, tel.: 623 82 37
MDK – a branch of KTK Tabun, ul. Kosmowskiej 2, tel.: 623 82 37
O¶rodek Jazdy Konnej Pegaz, ul. Łowińskiego 1, tel: 425 80 88
Wojewódzki Ludowy Klub Sportowy Krakus, Swoszowice, ul. K±pielowa 51, tel.: 654 72 10
Ewelina – O¶rodek JeĽdziecki, ul. Jeżynowa 9, tel.: 643 52 22
Przyjaciel Konika, ul. Fort 49 1/4 , tel.: 645 46 16
Klub Jazdy Konnej “Mustang”, ul. Nad Zalewem 15, tel.: 425 26 58
Stanica nad Rudaw±, ul. Mydlnicka 73, tel.: 636 24 99
Both horse riding routs (from Gajówka na Zakamyczu to the west border, and from Gómółczy Dół to ul. Orla) are located in the Wolski Woods.
Ø
Paintball:
Ultimate Sports, ul. Łuszczkiewicza 7, tel.: 0502 57 28 70
Ø
Scuba-diving:
Ultimate Sports, ul. Łuszczkiewicza 7, tel.: 0502 57 28 70
Nautica –Centrum Turystyki Podwodnej, ul. Michałowskiego 14, tel.: 632 16 33
Nautilus – Krakowskie Centrum Nurkowe, ul. Konfederacka 23, tel.: 266 96 96
Krab – Akademicki Klub Podwodny, ul. Akademicka Boczna 9, tel.: 617 20 28
Bowling Alley:
Atomic, ul. Zakopiańska 62 , tel.: 290 86 10
- Kręgielnia, ul. ¦w. Filipa 6, tel.: 634 18 85
Ø Ice Field (Skating-rink):
- Krakowianka, ul. Siedleckiego 7, tel. 421 13 17
Ø Swimming Pools - outdoor:
- Clepardia, ul. Mackiewicza 14, tel.: 415 16 74
- Krakowianka, ul. Bulwarowa 1, tel.: 644 14 21
- Krakowianka, ul. Eisenberga 2, tel.: 412 90 46
- Krakowianka, ul. Jagodowa 2, tel. 266 52 81
- Wisła, ul. Reymonta 22, tel.: 637 37 60
Ø Swimming Pools - indoor:
- The Pedagogical Univrsity of Cracow Swimming Pool, ul. Ingardena 4
- Hotel Sofitel, ul. Konopnickiej 28, tel.: 261 91 91
- Hotel Novotel, ul. Armii Krajowej 11, tel.: 637 50 44
- Korona, ul. Kalwaryjska 9, tel.: 656 13 68
- Wisła, ul. Reymonta 22, tel.: 637 37 60
- Tomex, ul. Ptaszyckiego 4, tel.: 644 28 95
- Eskada – Centrum Sportu i Rekreacji, ul. Szuwarowa 1, tel.: 262 76 47
- AWF, ul. Rogozińskiego 12, tel.: 411 90 96
- Park Wodny (Aqua Park), tel.: 616 31 90
Ø
Squash:
- Alstar – Centrum Promocji Zdrowia, ul. Zawiła 61, tel.: 261 04 03
- Politechnika Krakowska, al. Jana Pawła II 37, tel.: 649 75 21
- Eskada – Centrum Sportu i Reakreacji, ul. Szuwarowa 1, tel.: 262 76 47
Ø Tennis Courts:
- Hotel Piast, ul. Radzikowskiego 109, tel.: 636 46 00
- Wieczysta, ul. Chałupnika 2, tel.: 413 84 66
- Olsza, ul. Siedleckiego 7, tel.: 421 10 69
- Nadwi¶lan, ul. Koletek 20, tel.: 422 21 22
- MW Sport, ul. Na Błoniach 1, tel.: 425 29 98
- Gołaski Sport, ul. Królowej Jadwigi 220, tel.: 425 39 00
- Klub tenisowy, al. Powstania Warszawskiego 6, tel.: 430 40 82
- Klub Tenisowy Kozłówek, ul. Spółdzielców 13a, tel.: 655 55 54
- Eskada – Centrum Sportu I Rekreacji, ul. Szuwarowa 1, tel.: 262 76 47
- Politechnika Krakowska, ul. Jana Pawła II 37, tel. : 649 75 21
- WKS Wawel, ul. Bronowicka 5, tel.: 637 06 45
And for those who like spending their free time close to nature there are several green areas perfect for outdoor activities.
Ø The Wolski Wood (Lasek Wolski)
A forest park (435 ha), unique for big agglomerations, stretches at the west borders of the city, about 8 km from the centre. There is a network of well-marked walking paths (about 40 km) as well as cycling and horse riding routs.
Ø The Twardowski’s Rock Park (Park Skały Twardowskiego)
Jurassic hills of the Krzemionki Zakrzówskie cover an area of 36,5 ha. It is a perfect place for hiking, cycling, climbing or just talking a walk.
To get there, catch the bus (# 112 or 162) from the Grunwaldzki Bridge.
Ø The ZOO
It covers an area of 17 ha and houses 1150 animals representing 210 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Location: 14, Kasy Oszczędno¶ciowej Miasta Krakowa St., tel.: 425 35 51
Opening hours: from 9:00 a.m. till dusk
Ø The Botanical Gardens:
The oldest Polish botanical garden, founded in 1783, covers an area of 10 ha. It includes two, open to the public, blocks of greenhouses, three ponds with water and marsh plants, two alpinaria with mountain plants, and an arboretum – a collection of trees and shrubs. Altogether, there are about 6,000 various specimen.
Location: 27, Kopernika St., tel.: 421 02 77
Opening hours: between 25/04 – 30/09 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
between 01/10 – 25/10 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Greenhouses: between 25/04 – 25/10 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cracow lies in a region of temperate climate. Weather changes are frequent due to the friction of humid air masses arriving from the Atlantic Ocean and dry, continental masses of air incoming from the East. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 6˚C to 10˚C. July is the warmest month and January the coldest one. Western winds, conductive to rain fall, blow during summer, whereas during winter there are predominantly eastern winds, decreasing the amount of precipitation.