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The Old Town is where most visitors will begin their tour of the city, and where many of the key landmarks are to be found. Since 1989, it has undergone a major transformation, and the place is now really getting into its stride. Cafes, restaurants and shops are flourishing, whilst the black soot that cloaked much of the city has been painstakingly removed. The dramatic arrival of democracy and a Free Market culture has, of course, been no bed of roses, but one cannot help feeling a sense of admiration at how the Cracovians have responded to the changes. The city's age-old character has not been lost. Rather, it has been given a new lease on life.
Orientation in the Old Town is straight forward enough. It was once ringed by a great wall, and a fragment of this still survives. Where its turrets once rose up, one now finds the Planty Gardens, which form an enchanting threshold to the city. The district has preserved its medieval layout, which, unusually, followed a grid pattern. This, combined with its relative compactness, means that it is difficult to get lost here. And besides, the principal streets all lead to the expansive Rynek, or Market Square. So once you have crossed the Planty, it is not a bad idea to forget about maps for an hour or two, and discover the city as it unfolds before you.
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 | | "Cracow has to be one the most wonderful cities in the world (and I've been around) Great bars and restaurants and friendly people. I just hope it doesn't go the way of Prague and end up with dozens of pissed English kids on stag nights" | Martin
United Kingdom
Feb.05.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "going to krakow again for the 3rd time this new year,cant think of going anywhere else,counting the days..PARTY ON!!!!!" | ang
United Kingdom
Dec.02.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Such a magical Old Town. We loved Cracow on our tour of Europe. " | Sally
United States
Jun.30.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Thank God this city was not destroyed in the Second World War - the Old Town especially is an absolute gem." | Keith
United Kingdom
Mar.31.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Nice site! I might study in Krakow and having visited a few times I appreciate learning a few new things." | Rob Dziuba
United States
Apr.04.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "excellent web site,very informative & extremely useful;very good for tourist information." | tony mcalister
United Kingdom
Feb.01.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Why can't we get a hotel quote without giving ex-directory phone numbers etc?" |
United Kingdom
May.30.2007
rates this page 1/5
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| | "While we don't have the possibility of having our own currency conversion yet, we recommend XE's currency converter, which has Polish Zloty:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/" | Cracow Life
Poland
May.16.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "It would be useful to have a currency exchange facility on thew site." | G. Croft
United Kingdom
May.08.2007
rates this page 2/5 |
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