Kraków, traditionally known in English as Cracow, is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Province, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 and has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, economic, cultural and artistic life. Cited as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, its Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city is located at a meeting point of several geographic regions: Sandomierz Basin, West-Beskidian Piedmont and Polish Jurassic Highland.
The capital city of Poland was at the peak of its development in the Polish Golden Age (16th century). In those times, Kraków was – as it is now – the city of science and culture. It attracted the greatest artists, whose works can still be seen today: The altarpiece by Veit Stoss or the cloister at the Wawel Castle, designed by Bartolommeo Berrecci. The history of Kraków is inextricably linked to the history of the Polish nation.
Today, Kraków is a modern and developing city and a melting pot where tradition of indigenous residents is mixed with student's avant-garde. However, thanks to a great number of monuments, excellently preserved in the city's layout, it has never lost its majestic character. Krakow is simply magical.
Kraków in numbers:
– surface: 326.8 sq. km,
– 4 administrative units: Śródmieście, Krowodrza, Podgórze, Nowa Huta – jointly divided into 18 districts,
– highest point: Piłsudski Mound on Sowiniec – 383.6 m above sea level,
– lowest point: Potok Kościelnicki estuary – 187 m above sea level,
– Jagiellonian University is the second oldest university in this part of Europe, established: 12th May 1364.