The Old Town in Krakow was on the first list (1978) of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites which had only twelve of the most valued sites from around the world. Krakow is a city of history and monuments – there are numerous churches, richly decorated castles and palaces as well as historical buildings. In total there are about 3000.

The most important area of the Old Town is the Market Square – the largest square in Medieval Europe, the true hub of the city and loved by both artists and tourists. The landscape of the square has long included the Cloth Hall and the Church of St. Mary with its unique altar by Wit Stwosz.

Among the sphere of protected areas of the city is Wawel Hill with its royal castle which, for several centuries, was the seat of Polish rulers and kings. Within the castle complex built on an escarpment overlooking the River Vistula, some impressive rooms have been preserved. The castle museum contains collections of art and the world’s largest and most valuable collection of tapestries. The cathedral on Castle Hill is also a cherished monument as it was the coronation place of Polish kings. The most recent area of Krakow entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List is Kazimierz, a 15th century Jewish quarter and a former separate town. It is one of the largest sites of Judaic monuments.

Krakow (woj. Malopolskie)

www.krakow.pl