City Information
- Boka flygstol -
Queensway
Travel
Airport
John Paul II International Airport Balice is 20km from the centre of
Cracow.A 40% increase in passenger traffic meant that work started
last year on a new terminal. It is scheduled to be ready at the end
of this year.
Airport to City Centre
Official taxis are identified by a phone number on the roof and wait
in front of the terminal building. Alternatively, bus services
operate from the airport to the city for a Zl 3 fare, with tickets
available from the driver.
Orientation
Like Warsaw, Krakow spans the river Vistula, with the historic
district and modern commercial centre situated in the north of the
city on the left bank. Here you’ll find the Old Town, with its
Market Square, Defence Walls, and cafés, boutiques, art galleries,
theatres, numerous restaurants and tourist information centre. On
the south bank lies Wawel Hill, while the government headquarters
are located on Senacka St and Poselska St. The industrial and
business belt is located in the northern suburbs.
Excursions
- Biljett -
Queensway
Travel
The Museum of Krakow Salt Mines in Wieliczka comprises an exhibition
of Krakow’s history in the 13c Saltmaster’s Castle and, 135m
below the surface at the Wielilczka Salt Mine itself, a collection
of old mining equipment in the 19c extraction chambers. The Ojców
National Park covers an area of 1,860 hectares and includes a
section of the Kracow and Częstochowa Upland, the Pridnik Valley,
and the Sispowska Valley. The fascinating landscape of deep canyons
and Jurassic limestone rocks and silt-covered caves is dotted with
historical buildings. Among the attractions are the Lokietek Cave,
The Chapel on the Water, and the Ciemna Cave.
Getting Around
Krakow is served by an integrated bus, train and tram network.
Tickets can be bought in shops and kiosks displaying a Municipal
Transportation Company notice, or direct from the driver, paying an
extra Zl 0.5 and punched on board the vehicle. Tickets are also
required for bulky luggage. Tickets cost Zl 2 during the day, Zl 4
by night or Zl 2.50 for the Express Line bus. Taxis are quick and
efficient and can be picked up in front of hotels, in the street, at
ranks throughout the city, or booked by phone. Between 1000 and 1800
taxi fares are usually 50% higher. However, there’s no alternative
but to hoof it in the historical centre, which is closed to traffic
to prevent further decay to the old buildings and monuments. If you
hire a car, be aware that the city centre has been divided into four
traffic zones. Only handicapped drivers and those with a special
permit can drive in zones O, A and B. Parking in zone C is
chargeable and restricted to 2 hrs. Parking cards can be bought at
kiosks. If you are staying in a hotel in zones A and B, you can park
free of charge in front of the hotel while are checking in.
What to see
- Resebyrĺ
Queensway
Travel
Market Square: The largest medieval square in Europe was
constructed in the 13c. St Wojciech Church is the oldest structure,
deemed the most beautiful church in Poland for its gothic stylings
and 15c altar. There is a bugle call played every hour from the
church tower. The western section of the square features the Town
Hall Tower, the only remains of the 15c seat of the city
authorities. The Cloth Hall, reconstructed in the 19c from the 14c
merchants’ stalls, is situated in the middle of the square and
houses the art and sculpture galleries of the National Museum. The
local craft stalls located within the gigantic hall are extremely
popular with tourists.
Wawel Hill: Cracow’s Cathedral acted as the coronation
church of Polish kings and their burial site. This gothic building
with Roman remains features the famous Sigmund Chapel founded by
King Sigmund the Old, and is renowned as Northern Europe’s
renaissance pearl, with a golden dome executed by Bartolomeo Benecci.
The middle part of the cathedral houses the 17c St Stanislaus’
confession with a silver coffin. King Sigmund the Old rebuilt the
adjacent castle using Italian architects to produce the largest
Renaissance courtyard in Europe; inside, there’s an excellent
collection of Arras tapestry.
Defence Walls: Cracow’s medieval walls are among the best
preserved in Europe. The complex comprises three towers, the
Florianska Gate, and the Barbacan, a fascinating example of
defensive military architecture.
University: The Collegium Maius is the oldest preserved
university building in Europe. The on-site museum includes the
astronomical instruments used by Nicolaus Copernicus, an alumnus of
Jagiellonian University. The Collegium Novum is a 19c neo-gothic
building, today the seat of the university authorities.
Kazimierz: The former Jewish quarter was founded in the 14c
as a separate town by King Casimir the Great. The most interesting
sights are the Old Synagogue, where there is an exhibition on the
history and culture of the Cracow Jews, and the Remuh Synagogue and
surrounding cemetery.
Jewish Cultural Centre: Venue for many concerts, exhibitions,
films, plays, conferences etc. It also has a book shop and café.
Where to walk
Royal Route: This historic track was used by coronation and funeral
processions bound for Wawel Castle. Start at the Barbican, passing
under Floriańska Gate and along Floriańska St to Main Market Sq.
Keep along the east side, with Mariacki Church on the left and
Sukiennice on the right, towards Grodzka St, and cross Wszystkich Świętych
Place, between Dominikanów and Franciszkanów churches. With the
baroque St Piotr and Pawel Church on your left, turn right and walk
through Wita Stwosza Pl and left into Kanoniczna St, where you’ll
be rewarded with a wonderful view of the majestic cathedral towers
as you approach Wawel Hill. Go through Herbowa Gate to find yourself
in front of the Cathedral and in the Royal Castle courtyard.
