Page 12 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow

10  INTRODUCING KR AK OW

GREAT DAYS IN KRAKOW

There are three themes that define the here house artistic treasures. Krakow is also
most visited city in Poland – its royal past, a surprisingly green city, full of parks and
Judaism and culture. Some of Krakow’s meadows particularly suited to children.
most important sights are along the Royal The four days on pages 10–11 are designed
Route to the Wawel Castle, while the to uncover the city from these different
Kazimierz district, home to the city’s Jews viewpoints; the price guides include travel,
since the 14th century, is seeing a welcome food and admission fees. The itineraries on
revival after the tragedy of the Holocaust. pages 12–13 show visitors how to make the
As Poland’s cultural capital, many museums most of their time based on length of stay.

Walking the Royal spiritual heart of the city, and
Route is surrounded on all sides by
historic treasures; St Mary’s
Two Adults allow at least (see pp94–7) and St Aldabert’s
340zł (see p99) churches are worth a
• Explore Krakow’s Old look. Listen out for the short
Quarter bugle call played from the
• Great views from the Town north, south, east and west
Hall Tower sides of the left tower of the
Church of St Mary every hour.
• Authentic Polish cuisine
Climb the 70-m- (230-ft-) high
• Impressive churches and Town Hall Tower (see p99) for
a cathedral superb panoramic views
and wander around the market
inside the 14th-century Cloth
Morning Hall (see pp104–5). For lunch, The 16th-century interior of the Old
Starting early to avoid the enjoy some classic Polish dishes Synagogue, Kazimierz
crowds, especially in summer, at Krakow’s oldest restaurant,
there is no better way to enter Wierzynek (see p194). Jewish Krakow
Krakow’s Old Quarter than
through the 700-year-old St Afternoon
Florian’s Gate (see p113), one of One of Krakow’s oldest Two Adults allow at least
the few remnants of the city’s streets, Grodzka (see p80) 180zł
original defences. Stroll along is a cobbled route of different, • The history of Krakow’s
Floriańska Street (see p116), but harmonious, architectural Jewish population
once Krakow’s main com- styles. Admire the remodelled • Great kosher food
mercial thoroughfare and still Royal Arsenal (see p81) and the
very much a thriving shopping modest but charming Church • World War II Jewish ghetto
street; it’s lined with cafés and of St Giles opposite (see p81). • The famous Schindler
fashion boutiques that sell A little further down, don’t Factory
international brands. Krakow’s miss the Church of St Martin
Market Square (see pp100–103) (see p81), set slightly back from
is both the geographical and the street, or the impressively Morning
preserved Romanesque Church Start your day at the Old
of St Andrew (see p80). Take a Synagogue (see p124), damaged
look inside the Church of Saints during World War II, but now
Peter and Paul (see pp82–3), restored to its original
an early Baroque masterpiece 16th-century design. The
modelled on the Jesuit Church exhibition inside serves as a
of Il Gesù in Rome. At the end good introduction to the history
of the Royal Route is Wawel of Jews in Krakow. Nearby are
Hill (see pp62–3), and late in the two cemeteries: the New
afternoon, after the majority Jewish Cemetery (see p125),
of visitors have gone, you can created in the 19th century
stroll the hill at leisure. Be sure as a resting place for the city’s
to visit the wonderful Wawel wealthiest Jews, and Remu’h
Cathedral (see pp66–71), and to Cemetery (see pp124–5) in
wander around the Renaissance- the courtyard of the Remu’h
St Florian’s Gate, part of the defensive walls style inner courtyard of the synagogue. For a kosher lunch
that surrounded the city Wawel Royal Castle (see pp72–3). head to Klezmer Hois (see p194).
The Prussian Homage (1882) by Jan Matejko