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About Cracow
The capital of Poland until the end of the sixteenth century, Cracow has been superseded by Warsaw, and is now the fourth largest city in the country, but is often still referred to as the country's cultural capital. The world-renowned Jagellonian University, Wawel Castle and one of Europe's largest market squares are all contained in one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe. The largely unspoilt Old Town has now been declared a World Heritage Site.
Laid out in 1257, the Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square) is one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe - the centrepiece of a town plan which was, and remains, a remarkable piece of town planning. The grid-like pattern of streets surrounded by a tree-lined pedestrian avenue (once the limit of the city walls) makes it easy even today to walk around the city. To the south, and connected to the Market Square by the long, straight Grodzka street, lies Wawel Castle, the seat of Polish kings from the eleventh to the early seventeenth century.
A few minutes walk south of the Old Town, and separated from it by Jozefa Dietla street, lies the old district of Kazimierz. Until 1880, Dietla was a tributary of the Vistula river, and Kazimierz an island. Best known as the old Jewish Quarter of Cracow, it is in fact divided into two distinct halves, with Jewish Kazimierz occupying the northeastern part and Christian Kazimierz the southwestern part. Jewish culture flourished here from the 15th century until World War II, when the Nazis forced most of the remaining Jews into a specially created ghetto across the Vistula river, where they were either killed or transported to nearby concentration camps, including Auschwitz. At the end of the war, only 6,000 returned, but few could settle. The vestiges of this once prosperous Jewish world cover Kazimierz, and numerous synagogues have been preserved and restored and now house exhibits depicting pre-war life.
About Poland Positioned at the centre of Europe, Poland has known turbulent and violent as well as prosperous times. There have been periods of independence as well as periods of domination by other countries. Several million Polish people, half of them Jews, died in World War II.
In 1989 Poland became the first of the eastern European countries to overthrow Communist rule, following years of demonstrations, strikes and underground political movement led by the Trades Union movement Solidarity. Despite strong Russian objections, Poland joined Nato in 1999 and in 2004 became a member of the EU.
Poland has achieved some success in creating a market economy and attracting foreign investment. However, unemployment is high and incomes and growth low. The huge farming sector is unwieldy and very inefficient, many farms still retaining their medieval land divisions into inefficient, long strips. In spite of this, Poland's agricultural output is greater than that of Great Britain, France and Italy combined, which is why future EU subsidy levels have been a major area of controversy. Corruption has been singled out by the European Commission as a particularly major problem which must be urgently addressed, as well as the necessity to improve border controls.
The Roman Catholic church, a very strong force in Polish life, has expressed concern that modern lifestyles are corrupting moral values. The church has been involved in heated debates over issues such as worship in schools and abortion. | |
| Facts & figures |
Population: 39 million
Capital: Warsaw
Major language: Polish
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 77 years (women)
Monetary unit: 1 zloty = 100 groszy
Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals
Average annual income: US $11,300
Internet domain: .pl
International dialling code: +48
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 | | "Hi, I would say that May and June are the best months to visit and experience all what Cracow has of so special.In July and August, it may be very hot but that is the charm of Cracow in summer.Do stay in Shadow, have a cold drink in a underground bar, visit the Salt mine.The city of zakopane, 1 h30 by private bus would have a more cooler climate and a lot to see as well.Check Zakopane-life.com. If you are fancy to visit Cracow and Zakopane, please do reply to this review to get advices on spring and summer activities there and on accomodation possibilities.take Care " | lorek
Poland
Mar.08.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "hey im looking to go to poland in krakow in august with my boyfriend, where r the best places to go out e.g clubs, and wheres the best places to stay??? is august a good month to go?" | claire
United Kingdom
Mar.07.2010
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I am in the market square and desparate for a big smelly curry poo! Any decent toilets in my vicinity?? " | Mark
United Kingdom
Mar.06.2010
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Hi Monica, you've got to always expect the unexpected in Poland! But May is more often than not the most beautiful month of the year, what with all the flowers in full blossom. So fingers crossed. " | CLife
United States
Feb.26.2010
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "we love poland, my partner and i come to poland every year for a long weekend, been to wroclaw,proznan and krakow, but krakow is the nicest. love the city, love the food and drink and love the people. going again march 2nd can't wait." | michelle watton
United Kingdom
Feb.09.2010
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Hi,
I am half Polish and come to Poland every year to see family but that is usually around August. I am dragging my boyfriend over for a long weekend to Krakow in May this year - what will the weather be like then? I hope to show him around a lot of the places and it would be nice to hear that the weather will be nice! :D " | Monica
United Kingdom
Feb.08.2010
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "hi i am going to krakow on march 22nd for 2 nights will it srill be extremely cold then and snowy just trying to work out what clothes to bring no hi heels me thinks haha" | diane
United Kingdom
Feb.02.2010
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Hi, Jan. It will likely be quite cold in February. Mostly below zero (celsius). If your daughter will be outside on tours, we recommend a warm jacket (ski-type or thick wool) with a hood, hat, scarf and warm gloves. Many people also wear leggings under their pants or long skirts. The key, as always in cold weather, is to dress in layers you can add or remove to stay comfortable. Have a great trip to Krakow!" | editor
Poland
Feb.02.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "my daughter is going krakow with the school on the 16 th feb 2010. the school has said they need sky wear as its so cold has anyone been in feb and would they need sky wear.please can anyone give me some advice on this." | jan
United Kingdom
Feb.01.2010
rates this page 2/5 |
| | "My daughters traveling with the school on 16 Feb, what is the weather usually like to be around that time - is it still as cold / snowy as now." | Karen
United Kingdom
Jan.29.2010
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "i am visiting cracow on a school trip in two weeks yay. " | Holly
United Kingdom
Jan.21.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "hi im michael i am also coming to see all you hot men out there , hope your reay for me !!!!!!!!!!" | michael vincent
United Kingdom
Dec.24.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Hello boys of Poland, I am visiting Krakow for this new year. I am eager to meet some young and hung males to show me a good time.
I have given up on woman as I have been layed less than the Virgin mary." | Victor Marsh
United Kingdom
Dec.24.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Has anyone got any taxi numbers for Deal?
Sammy the retard let us down!!" | david lloyd
United Kingdom
Dec.24.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "We are 4 lads going to Krakow for New year, can anyone tell us where the nice young ladies hang out? (not prostitutes or strippers) " | david lloyd
United Kingdom
Dec.23.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Brilliant site. After visiting Cracow many years ago it's been a pleasure returning (in 2007, 2008 & 2009), am hoping to marry there April 2010." | Jan
United Kingdom
Dec.10.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Hallo there friends in Polland.
I was in the saltmines in august this year, and there was a art show wich I was very interested in. What I like to knowe is the name of the artist.Can you help me on that matter? Wirh thanks for a very good time. Karl" | Karl
Iceland
Nov.21.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Hello John, someone from www.kopalnia.pl (Wieliczka Salt mine website)told me that you can buy DVDs from the salt mine there in their shop.Hope ii helps.Cheers.Lorek from www.ogrodygorskie.pl at Zakopane. " | Lorek
Poland
Oct.18.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "would like to purchase a dvd tape of the Wieliczka Salt Mine where in poland would i be able to buy one" | John Romatowski
United Kingdom
Oct.03.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Visited there some years ago. My grandparents immigrated from there in the early 1900's. Krakow is a wonderful places. Interesting people, preserving their culture and history." | Doris Vician
United States
Jul.14.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Great city, great history, wonderful food, just great! This page was a lot of help, keep it up.
The town is worth coming back...
Amazed by the quantity and quality of bars, pubs etc" | Natko
Croatia
Jul.13.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Lovely city, great market square, nice cafes and friendly people." | Chris
United Kingdom
May.29.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Love KRAKOW we are returning for our 3rd visit in June and cannot wait. plenty to see and do." | alan
United Kingdom
May.18.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Love Krakow! Can anyone tell me the easiest way to get to and from Debrecen, Hungary, from Krakow?
Thank you :)" | andzia
United States
May.11.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Just back from Poland and stayed in a beautiful hotel in the Jewish district. Food and drink very cheap and good. Shopping for clothes and shoes is expensive and not a great range of styles. Would love to visit in Summer when trees and flowers are in full bloom." | Patrick Bradley
Ireland
Dec.01.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "this really cool and i am trying to learn polish " | karina
Mexico
Nov.19.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I am looking to continue my studies here next fall year. I will try to visit early Feb. I am already excited by what I am viewing on this website." | Lashonna Taylor
United States
Oct.03.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Looking forward to visiting Krakow this November for a week." | Sue
United Kingdom
Oct.01.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "try to write on:
mmrugalska@powiat.krakow.pl
This is "The Lost-and-Found Office" on the territory of Krakow
I can't find this kind of office on a station" | Piotr
Poland
Sep.10.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I was leaving the Krakow train station about two weeks ago, and left a bag there. I was a in hurry to catch my train, so didnt get to investigate to the train station security on its whereabouts. Is there someone I can contact? Anything else I can do?" | Ryan Dereska
United States
Sep.07.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Thank you for the useful website. I'm coming to cracow from 2-6 of Sept.2008 to attend a conference. Are there Muslim people there to contact them? I need to know whether there are Mosque, Halal resturant? " | A. Ahmed
United Kingdom
Aug.28.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Really love your sight - now then please help me find some good quality photographs of Krakow carnival either recent or old - I am making a project here in Oxford UK and desperately need images to show of your wonderful city having fun ! " | Henrietta
United Kingdom
Jun.17.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Cracow is an excellent base to study Poland and to to paint the atmosphere and architecture" | john dodridge
United Kingdom
May.27.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Paid my first visit to Krakow last October.Loved the city so much im heading back again this week." | Noel
Ireland
Apr.20.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Chciałbym ustawić się z powodu miłości do krakowianki w Krakowie egzystencję.Mienie przy moich odwiedzinach zdziwi się jakie życie i odjazd nastrój w mieście panuje.Jestem majstrami piekarskimi i mam trochę kapitał. Piłka nożna EM chciałby także w względzie otworzyć 2012 małych sklepów z pieczywem. Kilka sklepów stało w centrum pusto.
Także poza tym centrum na dużej ulicy kiosk byłby także interresant.Czy państwo mogą pomóc mi znaleźć sklep?
Oni mogą także z Agata kontakt podnieść Ruchomo. 696977514
Ulryk pozdrawia wiele Mundt Weißenfels 06667 Weißenfels / Niemcy Jüdenstraße 43" | Ulrich Mundt
Germany
Apr.18.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Very helpful and useful site. Pls advise me on what to do during my visit from 12 to 15 March 2008 when heavy rains are expected in Krakow!" | tuku
United Kingdom
Mar.09.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "im a portuguese student living in jersey, and im searching for a school that i can go to in Cracow in order to learn Polish.
please contact me if you have any information...." | Raul
Portugal
Mar.07.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "im a portuguese student living in jersey, and im searching for a school that i can go to in Cracow in order to learn Polish.
please contact me if you have any information...." | Raul
Portugal
Mar.07.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "hello and czesc to every one am dipesh from india and i love krakow to much bcoz my fiance is living there my fiance is the most gorgious beauty on this world i love u jaaann am coming soon ok i love u soo much Krakow is best " | dipesh vashishta
India
Mar.07.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Krakow and the surrounding regions are amazing. I love the city and I can't wait to go back. I've been to Krakow twice for study abroad with the University of Northern Iowa. Friendly people, great food and entertainment. I particularly enjoy Kazimerez. I am looking for a permanent place to settle there so if anyone has any information on how to find a permanent apartment..that would be great!" | Matthew Moore
United States
Feb.17.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "krakow is the most beautiful city in the world because "jaan"(darling) live there i love krakow and i love you jaan" | dipesh vashishta
India
Jan.11.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "where can i get costs for train journey krakow to budapest 19 feb 08 1st class sleeper" | ALLAN
United Kingdom
Dec.24.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Returned from Krakow today, first visit cannot wait to go again, superb. Everyone should visit." | ritaml
United Kingdom
Dec.10.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Para gente interesada en conocer Cracovia y Polonia les ofrezco los mejores precios en tour guiados en espanol, tambien puedo ayudar a conseguir hotel o cualquier extra
byronrivera2001@yahoo.com" | Byron Rivera
Poland
Dec.01.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Krakow is awesome, we were there last weekend and i was impressed. Looking forward to studying there!!! So see ya Krakow in February!!!" | zuzka
Slovak Republic
Oct.21.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Krakow is the cutest city i have ever seen in my life!!! Everyone should see it! :)
Poland = " | Dorota
United States
Oct.15.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Hello
I would like to visit Krakow with my family (my wife and our child) for six months from September 2008 until February 2009. I would like to rent an appartment with 2 bedrooms in a good neighbourhood. Please if someone can give me infos I would appreciate very much it." | Sotiris
Greece
Oct.12.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Krakow is simply the best! every year I visit Krakow and the city just keeps getting better! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR..Przekochane ludzie oraz przekochany kraj! :-)" | Daga
Denmark
Sep.25.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Hello,is there no one out there that wants to talk to me,Iam so looking forward to visiting Cracow,will someone tell me what to expect?" | Rita
United Kingdom
Sep.19.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "My husband and I are visiting Krakow in December can anyone tell us what kind of weather to expect and what are the best bargain buys?" | Rita
United Kingdom
Sep.18.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
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