Kraków

Main article: [Kraków]

Kraków, also called the Royal Capital City of Kraków, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. It sits on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The city has a long history and over 800,000 people live there. Until 1596, Kraków was the official capital of Poland. It has always been important for Polish culture, learning, and the arts.

The city's Old Town was one of the first places in the world named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Visitors can see beautiful old buildings such as Wawel Cathedral and Wawel Royal Castle. They can walk through Europe’s largest medieval market square, Rynek Główny, and visit the deep Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Kraków is also home to Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest universities in the world. The city keeps growing and is an important place for people to visit, learn, and live.

Etymology

See also: Names of Kraków in different languages

The name of Kraków comes from Krakus, a legendary ruler who started the city. In Polish, Kraków means “Krak’s town.” Historians do not know the true origin of the name. Some think the name might come from the Polish word kruk, meaning “crow” or “raven.”

Kraków’s full official name is Stołeczne Królewskie Miasto Kraków, which means “Royal Capital City of Kraków.” People from Kraków are called Cracovians. In the past, the city was often called Cracow in English, but today it is usually called Krakow. The city has many names in other languages, such as Krakau in German and Cracovia in Latin.

History

Main article: History of Kraków

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Kraków.

Kraków has a long and rich history. It began as a small settlement around the 8th century and grew into an important city. The city became the capital of Poland in 1038 and was a center of trade and culture.

During the Middle Ages, Kraków was known for its universities and arts. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was a golden age for the city with many beautiful buildings and artworks created. Later, the city faced challenges including wars and changes in rule.

In the 19th century, Kraków became a symbol of Polish culture and art. The city developed modern features like running water and electric streetcars.

During World War II, Kraków faced hard times under Nazi occupation. The city's historic buildings mostly survived. After the war, Kraków became an important academic and cultural center again. In 1978, a famous local leader became a pope, and the city's old part was named a World Heritage Site.

Geography

Kraków is in the south of Poland, next to the Vistula River. The city is about 219 metres above sea level and is surrounded by lovely natural areas, including hills and valleys.

The city has a humid continental climate, so its winters can be cold and summers warm. Because it is close to the Tatra Mountains, Kraków sometimes gets special winds that can quickly make the temperature rise. The area around Kraków has many nature reserves and green spaces to enjoy.

Cityscape

Kraków is famous for its beautiful and historic architecture. You can see styles like Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. Builders from Italy and Germany helped make the city’s buildings. The old town has the Old Town, the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall, the Barbican, St. Florian's Gate, Kazimierz, and the Wawel Castle. In 1978, this area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old streets are still there, and the Planty Park surrounds the center. Kraków was Poland’s capital for many years.

The district of Kazimierz has many old buildings. It was once an important Jewish neighborhood. Today, it has many restaurants and shops.

When Kraków grew under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, new buildings were built. Important ones include the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts and Kraków Główny railway station. Modern buildings were built after Poland became independent again.

Parks and gardens

Kraków has about 40 parks. The famous Planty Park circles the old town. Jordan Park, founded in 1889, was Europe’s first public park with playgrounds. Other parks like Botanical Garden and Zoological Garden are also popular.

Environment

Kraków has nature reserves and green spaces, such as the Bielany-Tyniec Landscape Park and Tenczynek Landscape Park. The city lies along the Vistula River. Sometimes the air is dirty, especially in winter, because many people burn coal for heat.

Governance

Further information: Local government in Kraków

The Kraków City Council has 43 elected members, including the mayor, or President of Kraków. The mayor is chosen every four years. The city government has worked since 2002 to organize its tasks better. The current president is Jacek Majchrowski. Some members of the Polish national Parliament (Sejm) come from the Kraków constituency.

The president's duties include planning city rules, managing money, hiring workers, and getting ready for natural disasters. The president works with the City Council and other city teams. In the 1990s, the city made changes to separate political decisions from everyday tasks. A special office was created to help people share information with the city. In 2000, Kraków started a program called "Safer City" with the Police and other groups. This helped improve safety in the city. Schools and media also help with this program.

Districts

Main article: Districts of Kraków

Kraków is split into 18 areas, each with its own local government. Before 1991, the city had four main parts: Podgórze, Nowa Huta, Krowodrza, and the old city center. The oldest parts of Kraków were added to the city a long time ago. These include the Old Town, once inside old walls and now surrounded by a park called Planty; the Wawel District with a big castle and cathedral; Stradom; and Kazimierz, which had both Christian and Jewish communities. Another old area is Kleparz.

Important districts added later include Podgórze and Nowa Huta, built after World War II. Famous spots in Kraków include Wawel Hill with its castle and cathedral, the Old Town with a big square, many old churches, and the Jagiellonian University. The Old Town has thousands of historic sites and lots of art. It has buildings from many styles, like Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic.

The current 18 districts were set up in 1995. Each has a Roman numeral and a name: Stare Miasto (I), Grzegórzki (II), Prądnik Czerwony (III), Prądnik Biały (IV), Krowodrza (V), Bronowice (VI), Zwierzyniec (VII), Dębniki (VIII), Łagiewniki-Borek Fałęcki (IX), Swoszowice (X), Podgórze Duchackie (XI), Bieżanów-Prokocim (XII), Podgórze (XIII), Czyżyny (XIV), Mistrzejowice (XV), Bieńczyce (XVI), Wzgórza Krzesławickie (XVII), and Nowa Huta (XVIII).

Economy

Kraków is one of Poland’s most important economic centres and the heart of the Lesser Poland region. Since the end of communism, many new private businesses have grown. The city is home to big companies from around the world, including Google, Uber, IBM, and Shell. It is also the second most-visited city in Poland.

In 2011, Kraków was a top place for global business projects. That year, the city’s budget included money for building roads, schools, and keeping the city running smoothly. Many people in Kraków are younger than 45 years old. A tall building called Unity Tower was finished in 2020, adding a new business and living area.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Kraków

Kraków has many ways to get around, such as trams, buses, and small private minibuses. The city does not have a rapid transit system yet, but plans are in place to build a metro line starting in 2028. Local trains connect the suburbs to the city center. Much of the historic area is a pedestrian zone, where you can see rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages. Old trams, cars, and buses are on display at the Museum of Municipal Engineering.

You can take trains from Kraków to many cities in Poland and some international places. The main railway station is close to the Old Town and easy to reach by public transport. Kraków’s airport, named Kraków John Paul II International Airport, is just 11 kilometers west of the city. Trains go directly from the city’s main train station to the airport in about 20 minutes.

Demographics

See also: Urban demographics of Poland

Kraków started as a small town long ago and is now a big city. In 2023, about 804,000 people lived in the city, and more than 1.4 million lived nearby. Many different kinds of people have lived there through history.

Kraków has many churches and religious buildings. It is sometimes called the “Northern Rome” because of its history and many places to worship. People of many faiths live there, including Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. The city also had Jewish communities for many years. Today, some important Jewish buildings have been fixed up and are visited by many people.

Education

Main article: Education in Kraków

Kraków is a special place for learning. It has many universities and colleges with lots of students. The oldest university in Poland, Jagiellonian University, began in 1364. It is well-known for its large library with millions of books, including very old and special ones.

Another big university is AGH University of Science and Technology, which focuses on science and technology. There are also schools in Kraków for music, economics, teaching, farming, art, drama, and more, making the city a busy place for education.

Culture

Kraków was named the official European Capital of Culture in the year 2000 by the European Union. The city has many famous places, such as the Main Market Square with St. Mary's Basilica and the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, the Wawel Castle, and the National Art Museum. These spots are full of history and art for everyone to enjoy.

Kraków has many museums and art galleries. The National Museum has thousands of artworks and items. Other museums include the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art, the Rynek Underground museum under the main square, and the Polish Aviation Museum, which has many airplanes. The city also has theatres and music events, making it a lively place for culture lovers.

Tourism

Kraków is a very popular city for visitors. Many people come to see its historic buildings and enjoy its friendly atmosphere. Visitors often come from countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France.

Some favorite places to visit near Kraków include the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the beautiful Tatra Mountains, the historic city of Częstochowa, and Ojcowski National Park with its special Renaissance Castle at Pieskowa Skała. The city has many hotels and is often highly rated by travelers.

Sports

Football is the most popular sport in Kraków. The two biggest teams are Wisła Kraków and Cracovia. Both were started in 1906. They have a famous rivalry. Other teams include Hutnik Kraków, Wawel Kraków, Wieczysta Kraków, and Garbarnia Kraków. There is also a rugby club called Juvenia Kraków. Kraków has strong ice hockey and women's basketball teams.

The city hosts the Cracovia Marathon every year. A big venue called the Tauron Arena Kraków is used for concerts and sports. Kraków has hosted big events such as the 2014 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship and the 2023 European Games.

Notable people

Kraków has been home to many famous people through history. These people have helped in arts, science, and politics. The city is an important cultural center. You can learn more about them on the list of people from Kraków.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Poland

Kraków has eight main offices called consulates from countries like Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and the United States. The city also has friendly partnerships with many cities around the world.