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Krakow is the second largest city in Poland with a rich cultural heritage and long history of development. Don't forget to explore the historical center, Florian Gate, Floriańska Street, and the Adam Mickiewicz Monument...
When in Krakow, Poland, make sure to make the most of the free activities available.
The Old Town is where you'll find most of Krakow's famous tourist attractions, including the largest square in Europe. This area was once recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
To explore this historic center, you should walk along the Royal Road starting from the north of the Old Town, through the center, and then southward to Wawel Hill.
True to its name, this road has been the scene of many royal processions.
There are plenty of significant landmarks along the way, but the most notable is:
Florian Gate (in Polish: Brama Floriańska)
Located at the northern end of the Royal Route, this is one of Poland's most famous Gothic towers, once the main entrance to the old town.
Standing at 33.5m tall, this is the only remaining gate out of the original 8 built during the Middle Ages. The other seven gates were dismantled during Krakow's modernization period.
Floriańska Street or St. Florian Street (in Polish: Ulica Floriańska w Krakowie)
This street stretches 335 meters leading to the main square and is one of the most renowned streets in the city.
Today, this place has become a major tourist attraction. In addition to the shops and restaurants adorning this street, there are also some kamienica-style (historic townhouses) buildings that stand out with vibrant colors.
Main Square (in Polish: Rynek Główny)
This is the largest square in Europe with a total area of about 40,000 square meters. Some notable landmarks here include:
Cloth Hall: This was once a major international trading center with a range of exotic imports.
Today, it still serves as a commercial hub but mainly for small stalls selling jewelry and souvenirs.
If you want to see Polish paintings and sculptures, head upstairs and visit the Sukiennice Museum. Entrance tickets cost about 4 USD and admission is free on Sundays.
City Hall: Erected at the end of the 13th century, this stands as the sole surviving fragment of the old city hall. It was razed in 1820 when the city planned the construction of the Main Square.
Adam Mickiewicz Monument: This sculpture commemorates Adam Mickiewicz – Poland's greatest romantic poet of the 19th century, and is the most renowned bronze monument in Poland.
St. Mary's Basilica: A Gothic masterpiece in the main square, renowned for its wooden altar carved by the celebrated sculptor Veit Stoss and the trumpet call known as the Hejnał Mariacki.
This is a traditional Polish anthem, performed by musicians every hour. The midday rendition is often broadcast nationwide on Polish radio stations. You can enter for free through the gates.
Wawel Hill: This is a complex of buildings and preserved areas atop a limestone outcrop overlooking the Vistula River.
During Krakow's tenure as the capital of the Kingdom of Poland, Wawel served as the official seat of the Polish monarchy. Here, there are three landmarks you must visit:
Wawel Cathedral: This grand cathedral is renowned for the coronation ceremonies of Polish kings.
The underground caves of this cathedral house the remains of Polish royalty throughout history and renowned religious artists.
Adjacent to the entrance lie the bones of Smok Waweleski – the legendary dragon of Wawel Hill. In reality, these are fossilized bones of a whale or mammoth.
However, Polish folklore maintains that these are dragon bones, attracting many tourists who wish to see them up close.
Wawel Castle: This is where Polish kings resided, making the castle one of the most significant historical landmarks of the country.
Today, it has been repurposed into an art museum.
Wawel Dragon Statue: Beneath Wawel Hill, you'll discover a series of caves. According to legend, this is where the malevolent dragon, Smok Wawelski, once dwelled.
The admission fee is approximately under 1 USD. Inside, there's a bronze sculpture depicting the Smok dragon. This statue has the ability to breathe fire.
The name Krakow of the city also derives from this dragon. Legend has it that since ancient times, Smok had a penchant for feasting on sheep and young maidens in the village.
Every attempt by brave young men to slay Smok proved futile, until a man named Krak enticed Smok to eat a sheep stuffed with sulfur.
When the dragon drank water, its body exploded. Thanks to Krak's courageous act, he was honored to marry the city's princess and later became king.
In celebration of his victory, he ordered the construction of a castle atop the dragon's lair. The people began erecting other buildings around it and named their city after the king: Krakow.
By Dawn/Tuoi Tre
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJanuary 19, 2018
