KRAKOW, POLAND

KRAKOW

Krakow with its many churches and squares is worth a visit. On the hill is a fortified Royal Castle called The Wawel and cathedral. The castle has state rooms, treasury and armoury. It is advisable to get there early because of too many visitors at a time.

THE WAWEL CASTLE

It is worth to climb up the Sigismund Tower to admire the mighty Sigismund Bell.

In the old city at the main square is the Sukiennice the 14^th century Cloth Hall. Nowadays it has shops with reasonable priced souvenirs.

THE CLOTH HALL

The Florianska street shopaholics will find posh shops. The Barbakan and Florian Gate were part of the original three mile city wall. There you will find medieval military remnants.

The district of Kazimierz was once a separate city from Krakow. It was the Jewish centre and Oskar Schindler’s rescue efforts in Krakow.  Today it has many bars, cafes, clubs and renovated synagogues.

A Museum of City Engineering in this district will surprise you with a great collection of Polish communist era cars.

An amazing and interest experience you will have when you visit a Salt Mine near Krakow. The Unesco registered Wieliczka Salt mine has been operated continuously since the Middle Ages. It has 150 miles of galleries on nine levels. It starts with 300 ft and going to a depth of 1000ft

Pupils who learn Latin know that the word “salary” comes from being paid part of your wages in salt. In the Middle Ages the Polish miners were paid part with salt.

The most dangerous job of mining salt was to set the gas on fire and burn it off.

The mine does not only have tunnels but many large carved chambers and chapels containing statues and frescoes. The most beautiful, big St Kinga’s chapel, is used for concerts because it has such a great acoustic.  There is also a life size statue of Pope John Paul II and a subterranean restaurant and bar.

As you can see there is so much to do and see in the beautiful city of Krakow.