Tourist Information for Krakow

Warsaw Corporate Centre
2nd Floor
ul. Emilii Plater 28
00-688 Warsaw
tel. (48 22) 311 00 00

There’s Archeological evidence that Wawel Hill was settled as far back as the early Stone Age and certainly inhabited by Slavonic tribes during the 7tyh Century. Cracow was first mentioned in a report by a Spanish merchant from Cordoba, in 985, who describes a rich city on the crossing of trade routes, which was surrounded by forests. Between 876 - 879, the Duke of Grand Moravia, occupied the region what was later to be named ‘Little Poland’ and by the 10th century Krakow had been incorporated into the Polish state. By the 11th century, a castle, Romanesque churches and a borough existed on and around Wawel Hill and the first Bishop had been elected. In 1150 one of the best educational establishments was founded in the castle church. And despite, the constant feudal division and fighting between regional dukes, Cracow’s development was not interrupt. The buildings destroyed during the invasion of the Tatars in 1241 were replaced by new ones built in Gothic style. The location of the city according to the Magdeburg law in 1257 gave it a new layout with a centrally situated marketplace. In the 13th century the city was provided with a new fortification system of city walls, towers and fortified city gates. This system was gradually added to and modernized over the next centuries. The reign of Kazimierz the Great, patron of the arts and sciences, was responsible for many of today’s wonderful city break attractions in and around Krakow. Gothic, Franciscan and Dominican churches were built, the most famous are: St. Mary's Church, Corpus Christi Church and St. Catherine's Church. He also order the renovations of the cathedral and castle on the Wawel Hill, and the Cloth Hall, Townhall and other public buildings. In 1364 Kazimierz the Great founded the Krakow Academy, which was the origin of the later Jagiellonian University. Wladyslaw Jagiello, Grand Duke of Lithuania, was crowned King of Poland in 1386 and started the greatest Polish dynasty, which ruled Poland for over 200 years. Cracow became the capital of a monarchy spreading over genuinely Polish territories as well as vast Lithuanian-Russian areas. The royal court played an important role in supporting artistic and cultural life. Outstanding humanists, scientists and artists came here from Italy, Germany and other countries. The city’s Golden Age came by the end of the 15th century when it was the thriving metropolis of a vast and prosperous kingdom stretching from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea. Cracow remained Poland’s official capital till 1791, until the country’s political centre moved to Warsaw. At the end of the 16th century Warsaw became the capital of Poland and Krakow lost its importance and preserved its formal role as the site for royal coronations and burials. Throughout the 18th century Krakow suffered a series of sieges, foreign occupations and plunders. In 1702 the city was seized and devastated by the Swedish army again and Wawel Castle was burnt down. Due to the first partition of Poland in 1772, the southern part of Little Poland was seized by the Austrian army. In 1815 the Congress of Vienna created an independent, miniature Krakow Republic forcibly incorporated into the Austrian empire in 1846. After Emperor Franz Joseph I granted Krakow the municipal government in 1866 the city became Poland’s vibrant centre of gravity again and developed rapidly. A ring of green land (Planty) replaced the city walls (which had been pulled down), new districts developed on the city outskirts and the local industry flourished. At that time Krakow became the symbol and centre of Polish traditions and the spiritual capital for all part a of divided Poland. Krakow remained the most important city in the southwest part of the Republic of Poland until September 1939 when Hitler’s Third Reich and Stalin’s Soviet Union invaded the country and divided it between themselves. Although the Second World War did not destroy the historical monuments, it ravaged the city in other ways, executing many outstanding representatives of the city's intellectual elite. However, the only way to truly discover Cracow’s fascinating history, culture and general way of life is to book a citybreak holiday there. Contact the krakow Travel experts or browse through our on-line city break deals in Poland and luxury short krakow break packages. Enjoy our passionate and professional holiday services that include: Atol protected flights, private car transfers, great hotel prices, city tours and guides etc. Travel with the Poland breaks experts, a company that dedicates itself to its valued clients.

February: Shanties International Festival of Sailors’ Songs
March: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Festival
April: Pipe-Organ Music Festival, Beethoven Easter festival.
May: Jazz in Krakow Festival, Student Song Festival, Festival of Krakow Composers, Constitution Day, patriotic parades and festivities. Krakow Ballet Spring festival.
June: International Festival of Military Bands, Jewish Culture Festival and Summer Festival of Opera and Operetta all around Krakow. Krakow Ballet Spring festival.
July: Summer Festival of Early Music, Summer Festival of Opera and Operetta, International Summer Academy of Jazz, International Street Theatre Festival.
August: ‘Music in Old Krakow’ International Festival, Folk Art Fair
September: Krzysztof Penderecki International Competition of Modern Chamber Music, International Clarinet Music Festival, Festival of Jazz Trumpeters. Festival of Old Polish Operas at various venues around Krakow, Poland.
October: Early Music Festival, ‘Zaduszki’ Jazz Festival
November: Audio Art Festival, Independence Day - patriotic displays around the city throughout the city.
December: ‘Jazz Juniors’ International Competition of Young Jazz Bands, New Year’s Eve (festivities), 31 Dec, Rynek Glowny