The historic central district of Krakow was the centre of Poland’s political life from 1038 until King Sigismund III Vasa relocated his court to Warsaw in 1596. Today it is one of the most famous old districts in Poland. The entire mediaeval Old Town was among the first sites chosen for the UNESCO’s original World Heritage List.
Mediaeval Krakow was surrounded by a 3-kilometre defensive wall with 46 towers and 7 main entrances leading through them. The fortifications around the Old Town were erected over the course of two centuries. The current architectural plan of Stare Miasto – the 13th-century merchants’ town – was drawn up in 1257 after the destruction of the city during the Tatar raids of 1241, 1259 and 1287. The district features the centrally located Rynek Główny, or Main Square, the largest mediaeval town square of any European city. There are a number of historic landmarks in its vicinity, such as St Mary’s Basilica (Kościół Mariacki), Church of St Wojciech (St Adalbert’s), Church of St Barbara, as well as other national treasures. At the centre of the plaza, surrounded by kamienice (row houses) and noble residences, stands the Renaissance cloth hall Sukiennice (currently housing gift shops, restaurants and merchant stalls) with the National Gallery of Art upstairs. It is flanked by the Town Hall Tower (Wieża ratuszowa). In the 19th century most of the Old Town fortifications were demolished. The moat encircling the walls was filled in and turned into a green belt known as the Planty Park.
The first mention of Krakow dates back to the second half of the 9th century. The Episcopal bishopric was awarded to Krakow in 1000 and around that time, it became the residence of Polish kings for centuries to come. The history of the old city of Kraków revolves mainly around its Old Town district of today.
It was in the Old Town where the regalia were stored and, back in the early Middle Ages, a cathedral school was erected. The bishops residing at Wawel and the prince’s court provided a strong intellectual atmosphere. Since the 14th century, Krakow was the site of royal coronations. Under Casimir (Kazimierz) III the Great the Jagiellonian University, one of Europe’s oldest institutions of higher learning, was founded. In 1380 the Polish throne was entrusted to Lithuanian prince Jogaila (Władysław Jagiełło), husband of Queen Jadwiga. Jogaila founded the next Polish dynasty, the Jagiellon dynasty. Krakow instantly became the capital of a large monarchy, which propelled the city’s political and cultural development. The Old Town saw considerable development during the Renaissance. It was then when, for instance, Wawel Cathedral was rebuilt to include the architectural features of the Italian Reneissance. As a result, Kanonicza Street became part of the Old Town. It carries many features that are typical of that period. With the passing of the last Jagiellonian king, the political life of Poland began to move to Warsaw. During the first half of the 18th century, some outstanding works of art were created by fine architects including Kacper Bażanka and Franciszek Placidi. The culture of the Baroque era left a lasting mark on this part of the city. Gothic churches were converted in the Baroque spirit and fitted with new altars, sculptures and paintings.
In 1795 Poland underwent its final partition, after which Krakow became a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In spite of these political developments, in a sense Krakow remained important to Polish patriots. The city’s many cultural monuments became national memorials and the only representation of national identity for the next century.
On September 6, 1939, German forces entered Krakow. The city became the capital of the General Government. The oppression of Jews began and a concentration camp was created in Płaszów. The Old Town was plundered and many works of art were stolen. Museums, schools and theatres were closed. Professors were arrested. Synagogues were devastated, despoiled of ceremonial objects and turned into Nazi storehouses for ammunition, fire-fighting equipment and general storage sites.
On January 18, 1945 the Soviet forces of the 2nd Ukrainian Front under the command of Marshal Ivan Konev entered Krakow and forced the German army to withdraw. Krakow emerged as a city in the newly established People’s Republic of Poland.
Throughout the year the Old Town is lively and crowded. There are many tourists, indefatigable florists, and lined up horse-drawn carriages waiting to give a ride. The place is always vibrant with life, especially in and around the Main Square, one of the biggest squares in Europe.
The Old Town district of Krakow is home to about six thousand historic sites and more than two million works of art. Its rich variety of historic architecture includes Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Krakow’s palaces, churches, theatres and mansions display a great variety of colour, architectural details, stained glass, paintings, sculptures and furnishings.
Many renowned points of interest are located in the Old Town. They draw a constant stream of visitors and include theatres, galleries, museums as well as departments of the National Museum, such as the Sukiennice Museum, the Jan Matejko Manor or Stanisław Wyspiański Museum, and the Historical Museum of Krakow.
The Historical Museum of Krakow has several divisions in the Old Town, including the Barbican, the House under the Cross housing the History of Theatre museum, Hippolitow House and Town Hall Tower. Also located in the Old Town are the Archdiocesan Museum, Archaeological Museum, Pharmacy Museum, Collegium Modicum at Jagiellonian University, the Old Theatre Museum and the renowned Collegium Maius Museum of the Jagiellonian University. Two major theatres are also situated a stone’s throw from the Main Square: the Old Theatre and the most famous one in Kraków – Juliusz Słowacki Theatre.
The extended list of Catholic churches in the Old Town includes numerous temples, among which the most famous are the church of St Andrew, St Mary’s Basilica, the church of Saints Peter and Paul and the church of St Wojciech (Adalbert).
Other historic places of worship in the Old Town include the churches of Our Lady of Snows, St Ann, St Barbara, St Mark, St Martin, St Thomas the Apostle, St Giles, Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, the church and monastery of Franciscans, Reformatory Church of St Casimir and St Trinity Church (Dominican Church).
Obwarzanki (bagels) are undoubtedly a symbol of Krakow. On the Square there is a bagel seller every few steps. Traditional bagels are sprinkled with poppyseeds. Today, sellers offer a whole variety of them; apart from poppyseed, there are also sesame seed, rock salt and even pizza sprinkles.