History, Architecture, and Countryside Cycling in Krakow

Podgórze

Wander the streets of the former Jewish Ghetto.

Podgórze is the neighborhood where the Krakow Jewish Ghetto was located. At the beginning of the war, only about 3,000 people lived in the district, but over 15,000 Jews were forcibly moved there and surrounded by tall walls and guarded gates. In 1942-3 the ghetto was "liquidated", with residents sent to either labor camps or extermination camps, or simply murdered in the streets. A couple small sections of the wall and a memorial of empty chairs (each chair representing a 1,000 victims) on the ghetto square are among the very few remaining physical reminders of the ghetto. On the corner of the square, you can also visit the small museum of the Apteka pod Orlem (Pharmacy under the Eagle), which was the only pharmacy allowed to operate in the ghetto. The Polish Catholic owner requested permission to operate within the ghetto and provided medical supplies to residents, often for free. Both he and Oscar Schindler were honored by Israel as "Righteous Among the Nations".

Szeroka

Visit the historic street that was the center of Kazimierz's Jewish community.

This wide street (Szeroka actually means wide) acted as a sort of square and marketplace for the community. While today well-maintained buildings line it, in the 19th century it would have been better described as "bustling" than "quaint". You can find all the major Jewish heritage sites nearby, including Krakow's oldest synagoague, the fortress-like Old Synagogue, which sits on the southern end of the street. Today it houses a museum of Jewish heritage.

Tempel Synagogue

Enjoy the splendor of this 19th-century synagogue with an opulate Moorish interior.

Unlike the older synagogues, which sometimes appeared more like fortresses than places of worship, the Tempel Synagogue is an architectural gem that represents a period of new-found confidence and comfort within the surrounding society. It proclaimed Jewish integration into modern society, while also representing its continued faith.

Old Jewish Cemetery (Remuh Cemetery)

Pass through the gates of the Remuh synagogue to find Krakow's most historic cemetery.

The Old Jewish Cemetery contains the graves of many famous Polish Jews, who were buried there from the 1500 to 1800's. The cemetery was largely destroyed by the Nazis, but many of the tombstones have been returned to the site. The entrance is hidden just off of Szeroka Street. Look for the gate across from the green space at the north end of the square. Once inside the courtyard, look for an entrance door on the wall to the right. 

Plac Nowy

Hit the spot with a tasty "zapiekanka" before exploring Kazimierz's nightlife.

Once the main square and kosher marketplace of the Jewish community, Plac Nowy's roundhouse of former butcher stands is now occupied by stands selling a special Krakow delicacy known as zapiekanka. Consisting of a toasted piece of baguette loaded with cheese and other toppings of your choosing, no trip to Krakow is complete without trying one. It's a good place to start exploring the nightlife of Kazimierz, Krakow’s youngest and coolest district. You will discover a lively scene on almost any evening.

Corpus Christi Basilica

Venture off the beaten path to discover one of Krakow's most impressive churches.

Kazimierz has always possessed a Christian population as well, and some of Krakow’s prettiest churches are located there, such as the breathtaking Corpus Christi Basilica, with its gothic architecture and soaring baroque altars. Just a few steps from the church you'll find Kazimierz’s largest square, the plac Wolnica. Its neo-Renaissance town hall contains one of the city’s best-hidden finds – the Ethnographic Museum. You will find recreations of life in the Polish countryside, with recreated cottage interiors, school rooms, farming implements, painted eggs, costumes, and much more. 

Old Town-Rail Station Tunnel

Cloth Hall

Take home something special from a vast market hall built in the 14th century, which is surrounded by arcaded passageways and topped with rows of gargoyles.

The covered market continues a centuries-old tradition with an eclectic range of goods of sale – you might be most interested in the amber jewelry or the handicraft items from the Podhale region. On the upper floor, you will find the 19th Century Polish Art Museum which features truly beautiful and under-appreciated artwork that packs a mighty patriotic punch. 

Royal Palace

Stop to admine the beautiful Renaissance-style arcaded courtyard before venturing inside the palace.

Visitors can take a guided tour inside the Royal Private Apartments where they will see several exceptionally beautiful rooms, as well as the magnificent Sigismund Augustus tapestries, which provide an incredibly detailed insight into life in the 1550s. The State Rooms of the palace meanwhile can be visited independently, and also contain some excellent tapestries, as well as carved ceilings, furnishings, and artwork. 

Wawel Cathedral

Experience a visual feast of Polish history and beautiy in the castle's cathedral.

The Wawel Cathedral is perhaps Poland's most important church, as it is here that its Kings were coronated and buried. Indeed a visit to the church provdes a Polish history lesson, as you learn the stories of the kings and queens who are buried there. Even when Poland was wiped off the political map from the late 18th to early 20th centuries, Poles maintained its symbolic significance by interring the remains of its great poets and men of letters beneath the cathedral. 

Lost Wawel

Venture below ground to explore the castle's earliest history.

Lost Wawel could be described as the castle’s hidden find. You descend into the medieval ruins of the castle via an elevated walkway - it is quite an experience. 

Market Square

See Europe's largest medieval town square, which may also be its most beautiful as well.

While all of the Old Town should be explored, there is actually a lot to keep you busy right on the Market Square – a huge expanse of flagstones, ringed by magnificent houses and towering spires. Once you are done at the surface, you can descend below ground to the archealogical escavations of Krakow's early medieval town, in the excellent Rynek Underground museum.

Cloth Hall

Take home something special from a vast market hall built in the 14th century, which is surrounded by arcaded passageways and topped with rows of gargoyles.

The covered market continues a centuries-old tradition with an eclectic range of goods of sale – you might be most interested in the amber jewelry or the handicraft items from the Podhale region. On the upper floor, you will find the 19th Century Polish Art Museum which features truly beautiful and under-appreciated artwork that packs a mighty patriotic punch. 

St. Mary’s Basilica

Escape to the quiet wonder of this magnificently beautiful and colorful church.

The 600-year-old basilica was built from red brick and stone, creating a striking appearance both in its exterior and interior. Venturing inside is a must to see the magnificent high altar carved by Veit Stoss, the greatest carver of the Gothic Age. The best view in the square can be earned with a gut-busting climb to the top of the church's Bugle Tower. It is from here that a lone trumpeter plays a sombre call four times on the hour, halting abruptly each time to commerate the watchman who warned the citizens of an attack before being shot through the throat with an arrow. 

Floriańska Street

Walk the same route once used by the Kings of Poland to enter Krakow.

Of all the historic streets leading off of the main square, Floriańska Street is the busiest and most striking. Filled with shops, restaurants, pubs, and museums, there is much to attract your attention besides the centuries-old architecture and brightly-painted facades. At the end of the street you will reach a small remaining stretch of the medieval walls, and pass through a 14th-century tower still guarding the town entrance.

Czartoryski Museum

See one of of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous works up close and in person.

The museum includes the treasures of one of Poland's most powerful noble families. It features a small but beautifully presented ancient art collection centered on a group of Etruscan coffins and richly decorated Egyptian sarcophagi. But the star attractions are to be found in the picture galleries, including Rembrandt’s "Landscape with the Good Samaritan" and Leonardo da Vinci’s "Lady with an Ermine". It's a totally different experience than fighting the crowds to catch a peak of the Mona Lisa.

Jagiellonian University

Educate yourself on Krakow's rich academic traditions at Poland's oldest university.

Founded in 1364, Jagiellonian University has attracted scholars and students from across Europe, including the astronomer Copernicus. The medieval heart of the university, the Collegium Maius, is open for visitors. Its tranquil arcaded courtyard is one of the most magical spots in Krakow, and the mechanical clock on the south wall is accompanied five times a day (9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm) by a procession of carved wooden figures. Meanwhile, the University museum allows you to experience the university as Copernicus did.