Discover Krakow - city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Krakow is one of the most famous cities in Poland. Every year, millions of tourists visit Krakow to admire its timeless charm. What is Krakow famous for?
Krakow is a magical, royal city located on the majestic Vistula River. It used to be the former capital city of Poland. Overflowing with legends, charming historical architecture, and art, as well as fabulous leisure and entertainment options.

The Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall is the heart of the city, surrounded by picturesque tenement houses and cafes. The Wawel Royal Castle, with its cathedral and royal crypt rising on the banks of the Vistula, the queen of Polish rivers, exudes history and power. A historical gem of the city worth noting is the Kazimierz district, formerly Jewish. This district, teeming with cultural and artistic life, attracts especially those who wish to feel the spirit of Krakow's bohemia and find traces of the centuries-old Christian-Jewish neighborhood. St. Mary's Church is famous for its bugle call and impressive architecture. The Planty Park is a green oasis in the heart of the city (there used to be a moat here), and Kościuszko Mound offers picturesque views. Krakow is also home to the Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1364.

The uniqueness of Krakow is highlighted by the honorable title of UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has been carried for more than 45 years. Since 1978, the UNESCO World Heritage List has included the entire Old Town and historic center of Krakow. Krakow, along with the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine, was one of the first 12 sites included in this prestigious list.

Interesting facts about Krakow:

• Krakow is one of the largest cities in Poland in terms of both population and area. The Krakow agglomeration is inhabited by about 1.4 million people.
• The beginnings of settlement at Wawel date back to the Middle Paleolithic. Around 100,000 BC, this place was probably one of the power centers of the Vistula tribe.
• The oldest residential building in Krakow is the stone and brick building at 23 Św. Krzyża St. The building, one of whose walls dates to around 1300, was situated adjacent to the medieval walls of Krakow.
• During a tour of Krakow, careful observers will notice a knife hanging in Krakow's Cloth Hall. This is a form of warning, referring to the legend of the builders of St. Mary's Church. There was supposedly an argument between brothers constructing the church tower, as a result of which one put the other to death and then took his own life.
• At the western entrance to Wawel Cathedral, massive bones can be seen. According to legend, these are the remains of the Wawel dragon, and when they fall from the chain, the end of the world will come. In fact, the bones are not from the mythical monster, but from three species: a mammoth, a rhinoceros and a cetacean.
• Several scenes of Stephen Spielberg's famous film "Schindler's List" were filmed in Krakow on the grounds of Schindler's Factory, which now serves as a museum.
• One of the main symbols of Krakow is the St. Mary's Bugle Call. It can be heard every hour from the tower of St. Mary's Basilica. The melody always stops unexpectedly, symbolizing the legend of the trumpeter who in 1240 wanted to warn the locals of an approaching enemy, but was killed by an arrow.

Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of Krakow during a guided tour of the city, which we offer as part of the program of the FIAT-IFTA 2024 Convention!
Check out the agenda and don't hesitate to register for the event!