Historic Cafe Under Threat
One of Europe's most beautiful cafes faces an uncertain future after the owner claimed he could no longer continue under present circumstances.
Jama Michalika, beloved by Cracovians and travellers alike since 1895, is struggling under the weight of mounting bills.
Current owner Stanisław Kulis explains that The Krakow Gastronomic Cooperative, which ran the venue during the communist era, is demanding payments for the use of historic facilities. Kuliś says the demands are exorbitant. He insists that the requests are unjust, saying that he alone paid for the recent renovation of the venue.
The threat of closure has rallied lovers of Cracow's heritage, who say that under no circumstances can the cafe be allowed to disappear from the map. The Art Nouveau pearl, a mecca for Cracow's bohemia a century ago, was decorated by some of the most brilliant artists of the day.