Cracow Attractions
Cracow was awarded the title of European City of Culture in 2000. With a population of nearly one million, it is one of the most frequently visited cities in Poland and considered to be one of the most captivating cities in Europe. Cracow has traditionally been one of the major centers of Polish culture; and continues to remain so, with its great theatres, magnificent museums and art galleries, as well as of innumerable cafes, restaurants and pubs. Cracow has entered the third millennium as one of the best known Polish cities in the world. It is also the most dynamically developing of Polish cities; thanks to recent economic transformation processes in Poland, the position of Cracow in the country as well as on the international market has been systematically growing. This city has become a vibrant centre of scientific, economic and social life. Cracow?s importance is not only due to its impressive historical heritage but also to the fact that it attracts well educated, creative and enterprising people and has a great human potential. Cracow is an important centre of science and education: its renowned Jagiellonian University (over 600 years old) is one of the oldest schools in Europe and sixteen other institutions of higher learning offer education to 130,000 students. This city is one of those places in the world where people travel to get familiar with history. Cracow is a city with character and soul, where old intermingles with modern, sometimes even with avant-garde. This great historical city offers many opportunities for rest and recreation, with tourist attractions which are unique and nowhere else to be found.
CITY WALK
half day
This tour gives the best opportunity to get to know the rich history of Cracow and its' most interesting monuments. Following the Royal Route we start our visit by the Barbican and St. Florian's gate which were part of the defence system of medieval Cracow and today are the only preserved remains of imposing city walls. A walk up Floriańska street leads us to the very busy heart of Cracow, Main Market Square, dominated by the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's basilica, world famous for the masterpiece of gothic sculpture, the main altar made by Veit Stoss in XV century. After visiting the church we will proceed to the university district where we can admire the courtyard of the oldest part of the Jagiellonian University, the Collegium Maius. From here we proceed to the Wawel Hill where from Cracow's castle complex overlooks the city. From the year 1000, when the bishopric of Cracow was established, Wawel has been at the heart of Poland's history. Located here, the Royal Castle has been the seat of Poland's kings from the 11th to the early 17th century. Today this is one of the most visited places in Cracow each summer overrun by tourists attracted by rich collection of royal tapestries, tombs of kings buried in the cathedral and by mysterious dragon?s cave lying at the foot of the hill.
CASTLE IN DETAIL
half day
From the year 1000, when the bishopric of Cracow was established, Wawel has been at the heart of Poland's history. Located here, the Royal Castle has been the seat of Poland's kings from the 11th to the early 17th century. Today this is one of the most visited places in Cracow each summer overrun by tourists attracted by rich collection of royal tapestries, tombs of kings buried in the cathedral and by mysterious dragon's cave lying at the foot of the hill. Accompanied by our guide you will visit the interiors of the Wawel Castle and the royal cathedral, highlighting all important historical details of this pearl of Renaissance architecture.
CRACOW IN HISTORICAL TIME MACHINE
half day
Cracow is an unusual city, a place where time goes by differently than anywhere else and where history makes frequent stops. Sightseeing Cracow in a genuine old tram or bus will give you the real taste of journey into history. Magic vehicle that you can ride: SN1-37 - had been running through the streets of Cracow since 1912 or city transport vehicles in post-war Cracow so called 'Ogórek' (cucumber)
JEWISH CULTURE VESTIGE
half day
Kazimierz, the south-east quarter of Cracow, was the historical center of Cracow's Jewish religious and social life. Kazimierz was an autonomous town built by Casimir the Great, who had offered the Jews of Western Europe shelter from the persecution they were then suffering. It was incorporated into Cracow in the 18th c. In 1939 over 70,000 Jews lived here. Our tour of Kazimerz takes you to the most important places in this area. You will see the places that Steven Spielberg used for his Schinder's List; it documented their annihilation by the Nazis. You will visit the monuments: the renaissance style Old Synagogue built in the XVc, was the oldest existing synagogue in Europe, the original Remuh Synagogue and Temple synagogues still exist as well as the old Jewish cemetery. Accompanied by our guide you will visit the most interesting places of this area and on at the end of this tour you will stop at Klezmer Hois for a drink.
WIELICZKA SALT MINE
half day
Situated just outside Cracow this is the oldest working mine opened for tourists in Europe. Over 700 years of mining the salt formed the contemporary spatial mining excavation structure. Hidden below the town, reaching 327 m deep Wieliczka underground is nearly 300 km of galleries and 3000 chambers. During the 2 hours tour tourists can admire magnificent chapels, underground lakes, original tools and equipment, traces of mining works giving the comprehension about people's work, passion and beliefs. Wieliczka miners left lots of salt carvings and murals. After the sightseeing, tourists can rest in the chamber complex 125 m underground where they can find souvenir shops, restaurant and a post office. In 1978 the mine was included in the First World List of Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO and in 1994 by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Poland; it was recognized as a Monument of History of the Polish Nation.
OPERA PERFORMANCE
evening
The Slowacki Theater - where the Cracow Summer Opera and Operetta Festival is held was built in 1893 and reflects the high cultural ambitions of Krakow at the end of 19th century. The building was modeled on the Paris Opera and was designed by Jan Zawiejski. During the intermission the curtain which in fact is a huge Romantic painting by Henryk Siemiradzki is lowered. The people depicted in the curtain painting are individuals who contributed to the venue.
NIGHT WALK
evening
Creatures of the night - you've come to the right place! After the sun sets down, completely different Cracow emerges with illuminated monuments. Take a nice walk through the city and see how intriguing it becomes after dark, with lanterns pointing the most interesting monuments and lots of people relaxing while having a beer on the Market Square. Don't wait to join them!
PUB CRAWLING
evening
There are about 300 pubs in the area of Old Town of Cracow and lot of them are a beautiful medieval cellars - it's characteristic for Cracow. Tonight we propose you a special tour pubs crawling that will take you in 8 different cracovian pubs. You will receive a special 'road book' that will guide you to each place. In each pub a special surprise will wait for you.
CZARTORYSKICH MUSEUM
half day
We invite you to the Czartoryski Museum - world-famous for "Lady with an Ermine" by Leonardo da Vinci and "Landscape with the Good Samaritan" by Rembrandt. Other exhibits include masterpieces of ancient European craft (furniture, china, glass, tapestry, etc.), an excellent collection of arms, and Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities. Polish history and national character can be better understood thanks to the museum's invaluable display of items pertaining to Poland's memorable events and personalities. The museum's old-fashioned arrangement resembles private museums of the past and makes it truly charming (actually its exhibits were put together by The Czartoryskis family and later given to the nation).
JOHN PAUL II TRAILS
half day
In the morning we leave the city on board of a coach to get to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Kalwaria came into existence in the beginning of the 17th century. The founder of the town was Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, the Governor of Cracow, who decided in 1601 to build the Christ Crucifixion Chapel, similar to the church in Jerusalem. He invited to Kalwaria the Franciscan fathers and brothers - in Polish called the Bernardines, who had also cared for the holy places in Jerusalem for over 300 years, to look after the holy complex. Following step was the construction of the church and monastery, as well as other chapels and shrines resembling those existing in Jerusalem. Almost as soon as the construction of the church and monastery ended and places for the individual stations of the Cross were nominated, the pilgrims started to come and take part in the service of the Passion of our Lord according to the ritual laid down by the resident monks. Next we proceed to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyła, present Pope John Paul II. Here we will visit the museum located in the house? where John Paul II lived.
AUSCHWITZ
half day
After the World War II Auschwitz has become a symbol of genocide and of the Holocaust.
The camp was established by the Nazis 1940, in the suburbs of the city of Oświęcim occupied by the Germans. The name of the city of Oswiecim was changed to Auschwitz, which became the name of the camp as well. At the beginning camp was set up in 1940 for prisoners from Poland but soon the Nazis started to imprison here people from all countries occupied by the Third Reich, to finally become one of the biggest extermination camps for the European Jews, the site of the greatest mass murder in the history of humanity. In 1979 the site of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
TYNIEC
half day
We drive o Tyniec that lies only 10 km from Cracow, on a steep lime rock, approximately 40 m over the Vistula River. It is a town with a complex of Benedictine abbey towers. Fortified natural stronghold atop a steep rocky hill was a hard nut to crack for the enemy. And, if eventually captured, the Tyniec Abbey suffered their revenge. Mongols burnt it down in the 12th, Swedes in the 17th, and Russians in the 18th century. Benedictine monks have lived and worked here otherwise peacefully for nearly a millennium. For long the learned brothers provided education to young royalty in addition to their other numerous labors. Little survived of the original 11th-century monastery. First it was replaced by a Gothic structure, next by the 16th-century Renaissance one. And the abbey's present Baroque church dates back to the early 17th century.
BLACK MADONNA SHRINE
half day or full day
Visit the Black Madonna shrine known all around the world for the picture of Our Lady of Częstochowa - the icon of Black Madonna, kept in the Pauline monastery of Jasna Góra. Every year the shrine is visited by 4 - 5 million pilgrims from 80 countries around the world coming here with thanks, pleas, and prayers in difficult and delighted moments. A peculiar religious and social phenomenon on a worldwide scale is foot pilgrimages. From June till the end of September over 200,000 pilgrims come here on foot. The longest pilgrimage routes running across Poland are over 600 km long and it takes pilgrims up to 20 days to cover this distance. We will visit the Basilica, the chapel of the Black Madonna housing the famous icon of Black Madonna and also the Treasury.
BOCHNIA & WISNICZ CASTLE
full day
We drive east from Cracow, just about 30 minutes of ride we get to Bochnia. The salt mine in Bochnia is one of the oldest in the world. Bochnia Salt Mine is less famous in comparison to Wieliczka, but it can be a pleasant surprise. The mine also dates back to medieval times and it has a sequence of very interesting chambers. In contrast to Wieliczka it is a bit off the beaten track, farther away from Krakow and it can be used as a spa for people with respiratory diseases. The 2.5-kilometer tourist route runs at the depth of 290 meters. The mine's largest cavern, the Ważyn chamber, has facilities for recreation and health treatment services. Just close to Bochnia there is Wiśnicz - an interesting example of combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The castle of Nowy Wiśnicz used to be the residence of the magnate Kmita and Lubomirski families, well-rooted in the region of Małopolska. The castle nicely combines features of defensive and residential architecture with particularly picturesque landscape. Today the exhibition arranged in the castle interiors shows us its history as well as the process of its reconstruction. One can see the sarcophagus of Stanisław Lubomirski, copper and brass utensils, and miniature models of residences from the Małopolska region.
Lunch in local restaurant is included.
ZAKOPANE
full day
Polish winter capital Zakopane is one of the best known tourist spots in Poland. The town is situated in southern Poland about 100 km from Cracow, near border with the Republic of Slovakia, in the largest mountainous valley at the feet of the Tatras, the highest moutains in Poland (Rysy 2499 m.).The symbol of Zakopane is Giewont with its cross erected over 100 years ago. In winter there are good skiing conditions for beginners and advanced skiers alike. In summer there are challenging hiking routes in the Tatra Moutains as well as walking ones suitable for anyone wishing to take a stroll in one of many picturesque valleys or along the ridges surrounding the town. Upon our arrival we start by a sightseeing tour of Zakopane including a visit to Chocholow - an old mountaineer village, where you will visit a gallery and a woodcarver will show you how to make sculptures in wood. Lunch at a local restaurant in Zakopane. After lunch a funicular drive to the Gubałówka Hill from where we can admire beautiful views of mountains. Afterwards we will take you to famous Krupowki Street, where you're bound to come across stands, tables or baskets displaying various - sized brownish forms of what looks like pieces of stained wood that is smoked cheese called oscypek and a visit to Zakopane isn't complete until you try it.
RAFTING IN DUNAJEC GORGE AND NIEDZICA CASTLE, DĘBNO CHURCH
full day
This tour is a unique in Europe: we will go for a sailing trip down a mountain river on wooden boats, through the breathtaking Dunajec River Gorge in the Pieniny Mountains. In its upper run Dunajec eroded in limestone fells a romantic ravine called Dunajec Gorge. In the range of fells, it turns northwestwards, grooves again into the range of Gorce to Nowosądecka Dale, where meets its largest tributary - Poprad, and later after 40-kilometer long distance it flows into the Vistula River. Dunajec Gorge is a reservoir of nature conservation of an area of 360 ha, extremely important in respect of flora and landscape aesthetics. It carries away water from Slovakia in the area of 361 km2, and is a Polish-Slovak boundary in a distance of 20 km. Along Dunajec Gorge leads a tourist trail that has got 10 stops on its way with information notices. Rafting on Dunajec is very interesting, and it is a local tourist attraction. After lunch in the local restaurant we continues our trip to Niedzica Castle built in XIV century as strategic strongholds high on the cliffs on either side. Niedzica Castle, in a delightful counterpoint, is in perfect condition. In fact, today, it is actually a working castle - hostel in addition to housing a fine museum. On the end we stop in the fascinating, old wooden Gothic church in Dębno Podhalanskie. Built in the XV century, it's claimed to be the oldest surviving wooden church in Europe. The interior is richly decorated by local artists of the period. The church is entered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
OJCÓW NATIONAL PARK AND PIESKOWA SKAŁA CASTLE
half day or full day
Just a short bus ride away from Cracow lies the Ojców National Park, the smallest and the most popular national park in Poland. It covers the surroundings of the Prądnik Valley and protects its spectacular Jurassic limestone landscape, with caves and oddly shaped rocks and steep white limestone slopes. There are various colour-coded trails to follow around the Park. In the centre of the Park is the old wooden church, built "on water" across the stream. Also in Ojców is situated the Łokietek Cave, with 270 meters of passageways and chambers, with underground lighting. Further within the Park is the Pieskowa Skała Castle (medieval, rebuilt during the Renaissance), with preserved medieval features and a beautiful renaissance courtyard. Inside the castle, there is a collection of Renaissance art. Near the castle is the most famous feature of the Park, the Hercules' Club rock. At the first we visit National Park with Łokietek Cave and afterwards we're going to Pieskowa Skała Castle. This castle is located some 30 km from Cracow, on the hill rising above the picturesque valley of the River Prądnik and surrounded by the forests of the Ojców National Park. The castle was founded in 14th century when king Casimir the Great ordered the construction of a castle intended as a part of the whole defence system created by the strongholds guarding the Polish-Silesian border. The castle also protected the important trade route connecting Cracow with Wrocław. Modernised several times, castle passed from one aristocratic Polish family to another. In the 18th century, when the castle was the property of the Wielopolski family, Pieskowa Skała was a famous hunting site. In the last years of the 19th century the neglected castle was rescued by a group of people that organized a pension there. After World War II the Pieskowa Skała castle was nationalised, restored and in 1970 opened as a museum - a department of the Royal Wawel Castle in Cracow. The end point of our tour is the Hercules' Club rock.
EAGLE-NEST CASTLES
full day
After short bus ride we arrive in area of Jura Krakowska where we will visit famous medieval castles called Eagle Nest Castles. The Eagle-nest trail is a chain of medieval strongholds picturesquely elevated over the utterly scenic landscape of the rolling Krakow-Czestochowa Upland graced with profusion of fancy limestone rocks, gorges, cavities... King Casimir III the Great (XIV century) erected most of the once formidable fortresses to protect what was Poland's western frontier, at the time perilously close to the country's capital city, Krakow. Later on the king's castles passed into the hands of various noble families, together with the surrounding terrain. New owners usually did their best to adapt the medieval fortresses as stately manor-houses and family nests through successive expansion, refurbishment, renovation, etc. without compromising the defences as long as possible. Nonetheless eventually the proud eagle-nest castles largely turned into picturesque ruins over the centuries. Today we will visit following places: Ojcow, Pieskowa Skala Castle, called a pearl of the Polish Renaissance, Ogrodzieniec Castle, and Olsztyn Castle. The lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
SPISZ - CASTLE'S REGION
full day
Situated South of Cracow is the Spisz Region, land of beautiful landscapes, interesting architecture and castles. The village of Dębno contains a precious large church - a relic of international class, an excellent example of the local builders carpentry. Inside there is a beautiful well preserved wall painting dating back to 1500. For many centuries, the Dunajec valley served as an important trade route to Hungary and so high on the cliffs on its both banks two strongholds were built, Czorsztyn Castle in XII century and Niedzica Castle in XIV century. Czorsztyn Castle was destroyed in a peasant uprising, but it has been partially restored and its ruins make for an adventurous visit. Niedzica Castle, in a delightful counterpoint, is in perfect condition. In fact, today, it is actually a working hotel in addition to housing a fine museum. Our trip begins at Czorsztyn Castle, but we stop in the fascinating, old wooden gothic church in Dębno Podhalanskie. Built in the XV century, it's claimed to be the oldest surviving wooden church in Europe. The interior is richly decorated by local artists of the period. The church is entered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Afterwards a lunch will be served in local restaurant. Then we continue to Niedzica Castle. At the end we're going to Village Czorsztyn that is a complex of historic wooden villas, located on a picturesque peninsula at Czorsztyn reservoir in marvellous surroundings of Pieniny Mountains. It was built in 1990s.The idea of building the settlement was connected with construction of water dam on Dunajec. They decided to move some folk buildings and spa villas from the area that was going to be sunk under water of the future lake, and to create a tourist centre. The main goal of creating the centre was to save traditional and spa buildings. The buildings were given back their primary functions. Some of the buildings were adapted for hotels or restaurants; the most valuable farmhouse-cottage is now a museum. There you will taste oscypek - polish highlander cheese and sliwowica - polish plum vodka.
