Kraków is a city with a long and colorful history. Krakow's center can be divided into two main sections - the Old Town and Kazimierz (the former Jewish Quarter) with Wawel (the former Royal Castle) towering between them.
Train ride from Kraków Airport to Hotel
our hotel in krakow
Lunch at North Fish
This was our favorite restaurant in Poland. North Fish serves fresh fish and juice.
We had lunch here on our first day in Krakow. Then, we bought dinner here on the second night.
We had lunch here on our first day in Krakow. Then, we bought dinner here on the second night.
The Old Town
After dropping off our suitcases at the hotel, we proceeded to the Old Town on foot. There was a limited number of tourists as it was raining and it was extremely cold.
Wawel
We continued to walk till we reached Wawel, a Polish version of British Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. We intended to attend the scheduled Holy Mass at the Wawel Cathedral but it was closed.
Coffee break
Hop on Hop off Tour
The Kosciuszko Mound
The Kosciuszko Mound is a historic place, a Monument of National Remembrance. It was raised between 1820 and 1823 by the citizens of Kraków to commemorate Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the national hero of Poland.
The mound is 34.1 meters high. The serpentine path towards the top is about one meter wide and there are no barriers at the sides. I started to climb but I didn't proceed midway as I had the tendency to trip over the uneven traditional cobblestone walkways of Kraków. Papa walked slowly and carefully and made it to the top.
Check out the tiny figures in the pictures.
The mound is 34.1 meters high. The serpentine path towards the top is about one meter wide and there are no barriers at the sides. I started to climb but I didn't proceed midway as I had the tendency to trip over the uneven traditional cobblestone walkways of Kraków. Papa walked slowly and carefully and made it to the top.
Check out the tiny figures in the pictures.
Ghetto Heroes Square
This was the square where the Jewish citizens were gathered before they were transported to the concentration camps.
The square has 33 chairs made of cast iron and bronze and 37 wooden ones, meant as memento of the tragic fate of the Jewish citizens who left behind only empty pieces of furniture.
The square has 33 chairs made of cast iron and bronze and 37 wooden ones, meant as memento of the tragic fate of the Jewish citizens who left behind only empty pieces of furniture.
Planty Park, krakow
This is one of the largest parks in the city. Planty Park completely encircles the Old Town. It is located where the old medieval city walls used to be. These were taken down in the early 1800s, and replaced with fountains, trees, and flowerbeds. This is a very relaxing spot to go for a stroll. There are lots of benches and refreshment stands. There are monuments of famous figures such as Copernicus and King Wladyslaw II Jagiello.
the main square, krakow
This serves as the gravitational center and social heart of Kraków. This is the natural start and finish point for any tour of the city.
Originally designed in 1257, the year Kraków was awarded its charter, the grid-like layout of the Old Town and its central square have changed little in the centuries since then. Measuring 200 meters square, the Main Square ranks as one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. It has always been the city's natural assembly point for public celebrations, parades, protests and even executions.
Originally designed in 1257, the year Kraków was awarded its charter, the grid-like layout of the Old Town and its central square have changed little in the centuries since then. Measuring 200 meters square, the Main Square ranks as one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. It has always been the city's natural assembly point for public celebrations, parades, protests and even executions.