Krakow - Old Town

Krakow Old Town

The Old Town has plenty of historical monuments.  It is best explored casually, savouring the architectual details, while dropping into cosy cafes along the way.

(above pic, left column) St Mary's church (St Mary's basilica) has 2 unequal towers.  The lower one served as a bell tower and held 5 bells, while the taller one functioned as a watchtower.  Every hour, a bugle call is played on a trumpet from the higher tower.  The melody is based on 5 notes and breaks off abruptly in midbar.  Legend links it to an arrow piercing a watchman's throat, while he was sounding the alarm after spotting the invaders.

(middle column, top pic) The Town Hall Tower is next to the Cloth Hall.  The Cloth Hall was built for cloth trade but now the lower floor trades souvenirs while the upper floor is an arts gallery. (middle column, middle pic) This is the statue of Adam Mickiewicz, surrounded by 4 figures - Motherland, Learning, Poetry and Valour. (middle column, bottom pic) We were delighted to find the hot chocolate served in Poland is actually sinfully melted chocolate!

(right column) The main market square is car-free and the largest medieval town square in Poland and reputedly in all of Europe.  The above landmarks are all on this market square.

Krakow Old Town Street Performers

On a sunny day, there are many colourful street performers in this market square.

Krakow - Wawel Castle Grounds

Wawel Castle Grounds

[Time for a Fun-Pic :-) ]
[Source: Rick Steves' Poland travel guide] There was a Hindu concept of "chakra", where people believed that a powerful energy field connects all living things.  Mirroring the 7 chakra points on the body, there are 7 points on the surface of Earth where the energy is most concentrated – Delphi, Delhi, Jerusalem, Rome, Mecca, Velehrad, and here.. Specifically this left corner on the back of the courtyard.

People would press against this corner to try to absorb some good vibes from this chakra spot.  :-)

Krakow - Kazimierz and Nowa Huta

Kazimierz and Nowa Huta

(top row) Kazimierz is located within walking distance southeast of the Wawel.  It was a former Jewish Quarter.  Spielberg came here to shoot "Schindler's List" as this town had one of few remaining visual relics of Jewish heritage.

(bottom row) Nowa Huta can be reached from Krakow by tram.  You alight at Plac Centralny, the suburb's central square.  It was a former communist town.  The landscape varies little throughout the district.  This town served as a dormitory for the steelworks workforce.  We noticed a lot of Polish elder folks as we walked around the suburb.

Nowa Huta park

Krakow - Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is on Unesco's World Heritage List.  A guided tour will bring you to 3 upper levels of the mine.  You will be walking about 2km through the 14 degree Celsius mine, so dress comfortably.  The guided tour starts every 5 to 30 minutes, whenever there are enough tourists. Only selected tours are conducted in English.

Minibuses to Wieliczka Salt Mine depart every 10-30 minutes from the Krakow bus terminal.