Page 57 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow

KR AK OW THROUGH THE Y EAR  55

Average Daily Hours of Sunshine
Hours
12
9
Sunshine Chart
6 Visitors should expect
sunshine from May
3 through to August. While
May is the sunniest month
of the year, December
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec is the gloomiest.
is made up of burghers who are
Summer members of craftsmen guilds.
Summer heat may be difficult to Their leader is the winner of the
bear in Krakow. This is because annual shooting competition.
of the city’s location in a valley The outgoing leader passes
and its humid microclimate. the silver cock to the new “king”
Many bars, cafés and restaurants during a colourful ceremony.
in the Old Quarter and Kazimierz Midsummer’s Eve (Wianki)
are open and busy till the early Sat preceding the eve of
hours of the morning. Crowds St John’s Feast (24 Jun). Candle
of visitors are attracted not only wreaths are set adrift on the
by the heritage but also the Vistula by Wawel and there
nightlife and cultural events. are fireworks displays.
International Music Festival of
June Military Bands (even-numbered
Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) years). The festival features gala
(Thu in May or June). A great shows of drill, parades in period Poster announcing events during the
procession proceeds from uniforms and many concerts. Jewish Culture Festival
Wawel to the Market Square.
On Thursday, a week after July Krakow Jazz Festival (Stary Jazz
Corpus Christi, Lajkonik canters Lajkonik canters Lajkonik Ulica International Street w Krakowie) (Jul-Aug). A real
around the town (see p98). Theatre Festival. Pantomime, treat for fans of traditional jazz.
Dragon Parade, Market Square. puppet shows and acrobatics Jewish Culture Festival (early
A colourful parade of dragons take place throughout the Jul), Kazimierz. Outstanding
is held on the square, followed Old Quarter. Jewish festival featuring
by a “battle of the dragons” son Summer Opera Festival. The Klezmer concerts, film, theatre
et lumiere show by the river. festival showcases the best and panel discussions.
Enthronement of the “king” of Krakow Opera House’s
Marksman, Market Square. The repertoire, with some outdoor August
Marksmen’s Brotherhood has performances in the Wawel The Assumption of the Virgin
existed since the Middle Ages. It Royal Castle courtyard. M
Mary (Święto Wniebowzięcia (Święto Wniebowzięcia
Maryary
Matki Boskiej) (15 Aug). A Solemn
Mass is said in the cathedral. This
is also the national holiday of the
Polish Soldier, marking the 1920
victory over the Bolshevik Army.
Krakow Live Festival. This rock-
pop festival is held in a field near
the Polish Aviation Museum and
attracts top international names.
International Folk Art Fair
(Targi Sztuki Ludowej), (12 days
in Aug), Market Square. Folk
artists and craftsmen from
Poland and other countries
demonstrate their handicrafts
and folklore. One day is
dedicated to concerts of folk
Colourful costumes at the Dragon Parade music by the Polish Highlanders.