Krakow cultural capital of Poland. Krakow

The origin of Krakow

Krakow - Click on small image to enlarge

The origin of Krakow goes back to middle Ages. The oldest reference to Krakow comes from the mid-tenth century. First description of Krakow comes in the year 965 from merchants passing through. In that time Krakow was incorporated into Polish state. First strictures of Wawel Hill started around year 1000. Wawel Castle become the main seat of Polish rulers and in the same century under the King Kazimierz Krakow became the capital of Poland, and served as such until the end of 18 century.

Krakow - Click on small image to enlarge

Krakow - Wawel Hill

On the Wawel hill, which is most captivating element of the Krakow landscape, there stands a cathedral where the kings of Poland are buried. In the thirteenth century, a basic lay-out of the streets in the centre was established with the market square as the starting point. The Main Market Square, measuring 200 by 200 metres, remains the largest in Europe. Elements of the original medieval structures have been restored and the fortification surrounding the town.

Krakow - Cloth-Hall

In the fourteen century Krakow became the site of coronation ceremonies. King Wladyslaw Lokietek (Ladislaus the Short or Elbow-high) was the first monarch enthroned at the Wawel, and he was also the first to be buried in the vaults of the cathedral. In the mid-fourteens century, the Romanesque cathedral was turned into a magnificent Gothic structure which survived to our times. King Kazimierz Wielki (Casimir the Great) developed the town further, gradually taking on Gothic attire. It was then that together with the Wawel Cathedral, monumental churches in the Gothic style were erected: St. Mary's Parish Church in the Main Market Square, as well as St. Catherine's and the Church of Corpus Christi at Kazimierz. It is also to Kazimierz Wielki that Poland owes the foundation of a university-second oldest in central Europe.

Krakow - Royal Castle Wawel