A large Polish metropolis in the south of the country has the solemn official name of the Royal Capital City of Krakow. The second largest city in the country looks no less solemn: its historical center is listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, and therefore tours to Krakow are no less popular than to any of the European capitals.
History with geography
The history of Krakow began in the 9th century on the Wawel Hill on the banks of the Vistula River. Historians believe that it was then that the first fortifications were built by the Vyslyan tribe. Four centuries later, King Wenceslas began to build a stone fortress, and in the XIV century Casimir III rebuilt Wawel and the fortifications merged with the city quarters.
The city quickly grew rich, because the location on the navigable Vistula allowed its inhabitants to engage in trade. Władysław makes Krakow his residence, and until the 17th century the city remains the capital of Poland. Many rulers were crowned here, and the monuments of architecture and history make it possible to consider Krakow a pearl of European culture.
Briefly about the important
- When booking tours to Krakow, you should consider the option of a direct flight from Moscow. Krakow-Balice Airport is located just ten kilometers from the center. You can also get to the Royal Capital City through Warsaw.
- When choosing a time for a tour in Krakow, it is best to pay attention to spring or early autumn. During these months, the thermometers do not exceed +20 degrees, precipitation is unlikely, which makes sightseeing especially comfortable. It can be hot in summer in Krakow, and the number of tourists exceeds reasonable limits.
- In the second largest Polish city, several dozen museums are open, the expositions of which can satisfy the demand of a wide variety of travelers. Tours to Krakow allow you to get acquainted with stained glass and the history of photography, Polish aviation and Japanese art, Jewish traditions and royal ceremonies.
- One of the most visited places in Krakow is the Czartoryski Museum. Its main exhibit is the famous work of Leonardo's "Lady with an Ermine". The museum has existed since 1878 in the residence of the Czartoryski princes. The second famous exhibit of the Krakow treasury of world art was the "Portrait of a Young Man" by Raphael, lost without a trace during the Second World War.
- Early in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays, the famous flea market opens at Plac Nowy, where you can find a real work of art from bygone eras or simply sip the world's best black coffee at a table in a small street cafe.
