A2-15 · Kraków: The City of Kings

Kraków: The City of Kings

Kraków was the capital of Poland for more than five hundred years, until the king moved to Warsaw in 1596. Today, it is visited by millions of tourists every year, and it is often called "the City of Kings". Its old streets are full of churches, towers and stories!

Wawel Castle. The first castle on Wawel Hill was built in the 11th century. Since then, it has grown into a large complex of buildings above the Vistula River. Polish kings lived there, and today the castle is used as a museum. Next to it stands Wawel Cathedral, where many Polish kings are buried. Under the hill, there is a cave. According to a legend, a dragon lived there!

The Cloth Hall. The Main Square is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. In the middle stands the Cloth Hall, a long market building. It was built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 16th century. Today, it is used by little shops that sell amber, wooden toys and souvenirs. Cars aren't allowed on the square.

St. Mary's Church. Every hour, a trumpet call, the hejnał, is played from the higher tower of St. Mary's Church on the Main Square. Crowds of people listen to it. The melody suddenly stops in the middle. A legend says that long ago, a trumpeter was shot by an arrow while he was warning the city.

Jagiellonian University. It was founded by King Casimir the Great in 1364. It is the second oldest university in Central Europe, and it is still attended by thousands of students. The famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus studied there.

In 1978, the historic center of Kraków was added to the very first UNESCO World Heritage List. If you visit it, don't forget comfortable shoes: the best places are seen on foot!